He, on February 27, 1802, in a communication to the Secretary of the Treasury, calls attention to outstanding contracts for copper abroad which were obligatory, and the difficulty attending the securing of copper in the past. Questioned the scheme of importing coined copper cents because of a chance of a flood of lightweight cents contrary to law, and suggested that the government would have greater security by placing contract in United States. On March 4, 1802, Robert Scott, engraver at the mint, wrote the Secretary of Treasury, Albert Gallatin, calling attention to the probability of abolishment of the mint, explained the sacrifices he had made and desired to be invested with the exclusive privilege, according to law, of furnishing cents of the regular weight and quality free of all expense to the government at the face value. In a letter dated March 22, 1802, Mint of the United States, Philadelphia, Elias Boudinot wrote the Secretary of Treasury, giving an inventory of the real and personal property of the mint, as follows: “Two lots on Seventh Street between Market and Arch, 20 feet each on Seventh Street and extending back 100 feet, with a dwelling house on the north lot and a shell of a house on the south lot, which last lot widens on the rear to about 60 feet on which the stable stands. These lots pay a ground rent of $27.50 per annum. “A lot on Sugar Alley at the rear of the above, 20-feet front on the alley and about 100-feet deep. “A frame building improved for a large furnace in the commons at the north end of Sixth Street, of little value, the ground being merely loaned to us. “Personal estate—copper planchets on hand, 22 tons. “Three horses, good for little but for use of mint. “Machinery of mint no value except for mint. “Five striking presses. “Three cutting presses. “One milling machine. “Five pairs rollers, great and small. “One drawing machine. “Three pairs smith’s bellows. “Set blacksmith’s tools. “Large number of hubs and dies. “Carpenter’s tools. “Seven stoves. “One turning lathe. “Six scale beams, scales and weights. “Two sets assay scales and sundry adjusting scales. “Furniture in clerks’ rooms. “Various implements used in the several departments. “About 2,000 bushels charcoal. “Engravers’ tools, pots, bottles, etc. “An old horse cart and gears. “About 2,000 fire brick. “Considerable quantity of old iron.” Stated machinery was in poor repair and should be moved by steam instead of horses. Said lots were too small and was greatly cramped for room. Said lots were then very valuable, being in the heart of the city. In his opinion the necessary coins of the government could not be protected at much less expense than the mint cost.