This corner stone of the Mint of the United States of America, laid on the 4th day of July, 1829, being the fifty-third anniversary of our independence, in the presence of the Officers thereof, Members of Congress of the adjacent districts, architect, and artificers employed in the building, and a number of citizens of Philadelphia, in the which with this instrument are deposited specimens of the Coins of our Country struck in the present year. The Mint of the United States commenced operations in the year A. D., 1793, increasing constantly in utility, until its locality and convenience required extension and enlargement, which was ordered by the passage of a bill appropriating $120,000 for the erection of new and convenient buildings, to accommodate its operations, vesting the disbursement in the judgment and taste of the Director and President of the United States. In pursuance of the above bill, passed during the Presidency of John Quincy Adams, arrangements were made and designs adopted; William Strickland appointed architect; John Struthers, marble mason; Daniel Groves, bricklayer; Robert O’Neil, master carpenter, and in the first year of the Presidency of Andrew Jackson, this corner stone was placed in southeast corner of the edifice. The names of the officers of the Mint of the United States at this time, are as follows: DOCTOR SAMUEL MOORE, Director, ADAM ECKFELDT, Coiner, JOSEPH CLOUD, Melter and Refiner, JOSEPH RICHARDSON, Assayer, DOCTOR JAMES RUSH, Treasurer, WM. KNEASS, Engraver, GEORGE EHRENZELDER, Clerk. MINT OF THE UNITED STATES, _Philadelphia, March 20, 1838_. TO HON. LEVI WOODBURY, Secretary of the Treasury. Sir:—I had the honor to receive your letter asking my attention to a resolution of the House of Representatives of the United States, passed March 5, 1838, as follows: EXTRACT FROM RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS RELATING TO MINT. “_Resolved_, That the Secretary of the Treasury report to this House the cost of erecting the principal Mint and its branches, including buildings, fixtures, and apparatus; the salaries and expenses of the different officers; the amount expended in the purchase of bullion; the loss arising from wastage, and all other expenses; and the average length of time it requires to coin at the principal Mint all the bullion with which it can be furnished; and further, what amount of coin has been struck at the several branch mints, since their organization.” MINT OF THE UNITED STATES, PHILADELPHIA. The cost of the edifice, machinery, and fixtures, was $173,390 Ground, enclosure, paving, etc. 35,840 --------- Total cost of buildings, etc. $209,230 =========