MESSAGE
from the
President of the United States,

Inclosing
A Letter to Him from the Director of the Mint,

Respecting the Compensations of certain Officers employed on that Establishment.

20th April, 1802.

Read, and ordered to be referred to the Committee of the whole House, to whom it was committed, on the second instant, the bill to repeal so much of the acts, — the one, intituled “An act establishing a Mint, and regulating the Coins of the United States,” — the other, an act intituled “An act supplementary to the act establishing a Mint, and regulating the Coins of the United States,” as relate to the establishment of the Mint.

Gentlemen of the Senate and of the House of Representatives,

The object of the inclosed letter from the Director of the Mint at Philadelphia, being within legislative competence only, I transmit it to both Houses of Congress.

TH: JEFFERSON.

April 20, 1802.

Mint of the United States,
Philadelphia, 17th April, 1802.

To the President of the United States.

The Director of the Mint being informed by the public newspapers, that a bill has been brought into Congress for the abolishing of the Mint, cannot, consistent with his duty, omit respectfully to represent the case of some of the officers, clerks and workmen of the Mint, to the President.

The salaries and wages allowed in the Mint have not been increased since the first establishment of the institution, notwithstanding the great rise in the prices of every necessary of life for several years past. They have submitted to a bare subsistence without complaint, from the idea that their employment was permanent, while they behaved well, and that peace and reduced prices of food would give them an opportunity of making up former deficiencies. Add to this, that their constant habits in the Mint have made it difficult for them at once to return to their former occupations with advantage. If the Mint should be abolished, it will be some time before they can get again into full employment, and of course must suffer essentially, even as to their necessary support.

The Director therefore submits their case to the consideration of government, and does not doubt but some small provision will be made for them, in case of their entire dismission from the public service.

In this representation it is not meant to include the Director, Assayer or Treasurer, as neither of these do depend on their salaries for support. All which is respectfully submitted to the President by

His obedient humble servant,

ELIAS BOUDINOT,
Director.

The President of the United States.