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A plan and specifications for a mint at San Francisco.
Referred to the Committee of Ways and Means, and ordered that the letter be printed.
Treasury Department,
March 31, 1852.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith the plan and specifications for a mint at San Francisco, as prepared by an eminent architect of Boston, but by whom no estimate of the probable cost has been made, he not having the needful information as to the value of materials, &c. in that place, on which such estimate should be based.
Another plan, however, has been prepared by a capable architect, resident at San Francisco, which the department is unable to lay before the House at present, as it is in the hands of the lithographers, the estimated cost of which is $876,000.
It is believed this estimate would be nearly a correct guide for the cost of a building agreeably to the plan now submitted. The above estimate is for the building only, and is exclusive of the cost of machinery, which would probably be from $200,000 to $250,000.
It will be observed that the plan now submitted is for a mint in its full details, with the ability to carry on its operations on the same scale as that at Philadelphia.
It is, however, believed, that for the present wants of California in connexion with the coinage of gold there, the needful arrangements could be made at an expense of from $200,000 to $250,000.
This estimate is made upon the plan of assaying and coining the gold without separating the silver, and to furnish sufficient coin in this form for the circulation of California, and the balance of the gold produced there, which should be required for exportation, to be turned into ingots of any desirable sie, with the fineness, weight and value stamped upon them.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
THOS. CORWIN,
Secretary of the Treasury.
Hon. Linn Boyd,
Speaker of the House of Representatives.