Trans-Mississippi Mint

RogerB

The following letter transcription is self-explanatory. (Note, however, that I might use some of this in a future for-pay article or publication. If that's an "advertisement" then please remove the post.)

December 11, 1875

Hon. B. H. Bristow,
Secretary of the Treasury

On the 22nd of April last, I had the honor to receive from you a resolution of the Senate of February 27, 1875, as follows: “Resolved. That as it appears expedient to establish a Branch Mint for the coinage of silver, the President of the United States be requested to institute inquiries as to the proper place for the establishment of a Branch Mint at some point in the Western States, or in the Mississippi Valley, taking into account all question of economy and facilities for distribution, and report upon the same at the next session of Congress.”

In transmitting the resolution you instructed me to make, at such time before the next session of Congress as might be compatible with my official duties, an examination as to the proper place for the establishment of a mint for the coinage of silver and to visit for that purpose, Chicago, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Indianapolis, or any other city or town in the Western States or in the Mississippi Valley, which I might deep proper, and after concluding my examination to report the result to you.

Having during the past summer visited the cities referred to, also Kansas City and Denver, and examined their advantages respectively with reference to the establishment of a mint, I have to report as follows.

The principal commercial and railroad centres [sic] in the West, St. Louis, Chicago, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Omaha and Kansas City, all offer ample facilities for economically conducting mint operation, bit as respects the cost of necessary supplies and rate of labor. They also possess sufficient facilities for distributing coins to the cities and towns in the Mississippi Valley.

For the coinage of silver, it is not very materials as to which of the cities referred to shall be selected for the location of a mint, as under the law, such coinage, with exception of the Trade Dollar, must be on Government Account exclusively, and the bullion required for the same procured by purchase. The supply will come chiefly from the different reduction and refining works hereafter referred to. It is important, however, to avoid, if possible, the delay and particularly the expense which would attend the construction of a new edifice, and which may be accomplished by utilizing some Government building no longer required for other purposes.

The only Government buildings adapted in the West for mint operations are the U.S Post Office in St. Louis, and the U.S. Arsenal at Indianapolis. The former will not be vacated until the completion of the new U.S. buildings now in progress of construction (in St. Louis) which will require probably three or four years.

The edifice at Indianapolis, it is believed, is no longer required for the purposes to which it has hitherto been devoted, and could be converted into a mint, at a moderate expense, within say, six months from the time of its being vacated.

If it be the intention to establish a mint in the Western States for the coinage of silver only, and assuming that the Arsenal building can be vacated, and turned over for use as a mint, the true policy would appear to be to locate it at Indianapolis.

Having stated my conclusions as to the location of a mint for the Coinage of Silver, I deem it proper to refer briefly, and in general terms, to the minting requirements of the Territory known as the Mississippi Valley.

That extensive and highly productive section of our country will require in the near future a considerable coinage of both gold and silver. If the demand is to be met by one mint, it should be located at a point as near the centre of the Valley as practicable – having reference to the procuring of cheap supplies and facilities for receiving bullion and distributing coin.

The City of St. Louis being situated nearer the centre of the Valley than any other principal; City or Railroad Centre, and possessing equal advantages in other respects for the conducting of coinage operations, would appear to be the proper location for the establishment of a thoroughly equipped mint, of a capacity for both gold and silver coinage equal to the requirements of the present and future.

The reduction and smelting of precious metal ores is now carried on quite extensively at Omaha, Chicago, St. Louis and different points in Colorado. In this branch of business, skill and energy have been displayed to an extent highly creditable to those engaged in it.

It has already proved beneficial to the bullion producing territories in furnishing a home market for a class of ores, requiring facilities for reduction, which cannot be afforded except at points where skilled labor and supplies of various kinds, can be procured at rates more favorable than in the greater portion of the precious metal mining districts. With the further extension of railroads West of the Mississippi River, this business will largely increase. It will no doubt be beneficial to some extent, should a mint be established in the Mississippi Valley.

In response to my request, the proper local authorities of the different Cities visited furnished detailed statements of an interesting character, which accompany this report, in relation to the population, trade, manufactures, production, cost of chemicals, etc., etc.

The information contained in the statements referred to, shows the great extent of the agricultural, manufacturing, mining, and other industries of the West, together with the trade and exchanges to which they give rise.

In conclusion it gives me pleasure to state that the proper authorities of the different localities visited afforded me every possible facility for obtaining the information desired.

Very respectfully,
H. R. Linderman,
Director

[RG104 E-235 Vol 007, pp.270-274]

ricko

Interesting analysis.... such different considerations for a facility compared to how it would be done today. Cheers, RickO