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Communicated to the Senate, January 7, 1817.
January 6, 1817.
To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States:
I communicate for the information of Congress the report of the Director of the Mint, of the operation of that establishment during the last year.
JAMES MADISON.
Mint of the United States, January 1, 1817.
Sir:
I have now the honor of laying before you a report of the operations of the Mint during the last year.
From the statement of the treasurer, herewith transmitted, it will appear that within the above period there have been struck and emitted—
| In silver coins, 67,153 pieces, amounting to | $28,575 | 75 |
| And in copper coins, 2,820,982 pieces, amounting to | 28,209 | 82 |
The amount of the latter would have been considerably greater had it not been for a disappointment in the supply of copper. Measures, however, are now taken to prevent such disappointments in future.
The stagnation which has, for some time, existed in the circulation of specie currency has almost totally prevented the usual deposites of gold and silver bullion for coinage. But there is now a prospect that this will not long continue to be the case, the Mint having, at this time, in its vaults deposites of these metals to a very considerable amount.
The repairs of the Mint, which you were pleased to authorize, are now nearly completed. A substantial brick building has been erected on the site formerly occupied by an old wooden building; and in the apparatus and arrangement of machinery, which have been adopted, many important improvements have been introduced. Among these is the substitution of a steam engine for the horse power heretofore employed; a change which, it is believed, will not only diminish the expenses of the establishment, but greatly facilitate all its principal operations.
I have the honor to be, sir, with the greatest respect and esteem, your most obedient servant,
R. PATTERSON.
James Madison, President of the United States.
A statement of the coins struck at the Mint of the United States, from the 1st January to the 31st December, 1816, inclusive, viz:
| Silver coins, | 47,150 | half dollars, | $28,575 | 75 |
| Silver coins, | 20,003 | quarter dols., | ||
| Copper coins, | 2,820,982 | cents, | 28,209 | 82 |
| Number of pieces, | 2,888,135 | Total am’t. | $56,785 | 57 |
Mint of the United States, Treasurer’s Office, Philadelphia, December 31, 1816.
JAMES RUSH.
An abstract of the ordinary expenses of the Mint of the United States, from 1st January to the 31st December, 1816, viz:
| Amount paid in salaries of the officers and clerks, | $9,600 | 00 |
| Amount paid in wages of laborers, | 3,711 | 08 |
| Amount paid in incidental and contingent expenses and repairs, | 4,930 | 92 |
| $18,242 | 00 | |
Mint of the United States, Treasurer’s Office, Philadelphia, December 31, 1816.
JAMES RUSH.