CONTINGENT EXPENSES — BRANCH MINT AT CALIFORNIA.

LETTER
from
THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY,

In Reference To
An appropriation for the contingent expenses at the branch mint at San Francisco.

February 16, 1857. — Referred to the Committee of Ways and Means.

Treasury Department, February 4, 1857.

Sir: I have had the honor to receive your letter of the 3d instant, referring to my letter of the 7th ultimo to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and inquiring whether it is my opinion the appropriation of $40,000, therein submitted, for contingent expenses of the branch mint at San Francisco, should be made or not.

In reply, I have to say, that in my said letter all the facts in my possession were furnished, and which, it was supposed, would enable the committee to form its own judgment upon the subject; but inasmuch as you now ask my opinion on the question, it is that, under the circumstances, the appropriation should be made.

I am, very respectfully,

JAMES GUTHRIE,
Secretary of the Treasury.

Hon. W. A. Howard,
Committee of Ways and Means, House of Representatives.