The popular estimation in which the Mint is held in the United States, is, for obvious reasons, more distinctively marked than that entertained for other public institutions. Its position, in a financial point of view, is so important, its use so apparent, and its integrity of management so generally conceded, that it enjoys a pre-eminence and dignity beyond that accorded to general governmental departments. Party mutations usually effect changes in its directorship, with but slight interference, however, with the other officials, as those of attainments, skill, and long experience in the professional branches, required to intelligently perform the various duties assigned, are few in all countries. Those occupying positions are chosen for their proficiency in the various departments, their characters being always above question. The confidence reposed in the officials of the United States Mint has never been violated, as, for nearly a century of its operations, no shadow of suspicion has marred the fair name of any identified with its history. The need of a mint in the Colonies was keenly felt to be a serious grievance against England for years before the Revolution, and as soon as practicable after the establishment of Independence, the _United States Mint_ was authorized by an Act of Congress—April 2, 1792. A lot of ground was purchased on Seventh Street near Arch, and appropriations were made for erecting the requisite buildings. An old still-house, which stood on the lot, had first to be removed. In an account book of that time we find an entry on the 31st of July, 1792, of the sale of some old materials of the still-house for seven shillings and sixpence, which “Mr. Rittenhouse directed _should be laid out for punch_ in laying the foundation stone.”[7] The first building erected in the United States for public use, under the authority of the Federal Government, was a structure for the United States Mint. This was a plain brick edifice, on the east side of Seventh street, near Arch, the corner-stone of which was laid by David Rittenhouse, Director of the Mint, on July 31, 1792. In the following October operations of coining commenced. It was occupied for about forty years. On the 19th of May, 1829, an Act was passed by Congress locating the United States Mint on its present site.