During the latter part of 1797 it became very apparent that the out-put of the mint was not sufficient for the needs of the country, and foreign coins were necessarily continued as legal tender despite legislation to the contrary. Elias Boudinot, in a letter from the mint to the President, dated January 3, 1799, mentioned that during the previous summer a scheme for robbing the mint was discovered. One of the persons in the mint was in collusion with outside parties. The offenders were detected, prosecuted and punished. January 8, 1800, Boudinot reported to President Adams and called his attention to the fact that fifty thousand one hundred and eleven dollars and forty-two cents ($50,111.42) of cents, had been coined and that it was necessary for the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States to comply with provisions of law of May 8, 1792, by giving the public notice therein mentioned. Also brought up the point that the mint was not at the seat of government, which had been moved to Washington, and if mint was to be removed steps should be taken immediately regarding it. Also called attention to workmen in gold and silver melting down coins for commercial purposes to the loss of the United States. Mr. Hillhouse, of the committee to whom was referred the report of the director of the mint to the President of the United States, on January 8, 1800, recommended, on March 18, 1800, that a committee be appointed to bring in a bill for repealing the first section of the Act entitled, “An Act establishing a mint and regulating the coins of the United States....” dated April 21, 1792, and such other sections and parts of sections of said Act as relate to the establishment of the mint, and to provide for taking care of the materials and property appertaining to the mint and which belong to the United States; and, further, that the Secretary of the Treasury be directed to report a plan for furnishing the United States with cents and half-cents as shall be deemed necessary or expedient. February 13, 1801, Elias Boudinot advised the President that the Secretary of State, Secretary of Treasury, Comptroller of the Treasury, the Chief Justice and Attorney-General were not present on the day specified by law to assay reserved pieces of coins, and that the depositors complained of their being deprived of their reserved money, and that the check on coinage contemplated by law was frustrated. Also mentioned that the act of July 16, 1790, provided for removal of all offices attached to the seat of government to the District of Columbia on the first Monday in December, 1800. Called attention to Act of last session of Congress locating mint in Philadelphia until March 4th next. [Illustration: PLANCHETS FOR COPPER CENTS, HALF CENTS AND SILVER CENTRE CENTS, ALSO PIECE OF SCRAP COPPER FROM WHICH A HALF CENT WAS STRUCK, ALL FOUND WHILE EXCAVATIONS WERE BEING MADE FOR NEW BUILDING 631 FILBERT STREET. SIZE 15/16 OF ORIGINALS.]