A little more for John Reich fans.
RogerB
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Here is a transcription from Patterson's letter to President Jefferson, recommending that Reich be hired. Obviously, Patterson had been discussing the position with Reich well in advance of writing Jefferson. The transcription is by one of the manuscript volunteers.
Mint of the United States
March 25, 1807
Hon. Thomas Jefferson
President of the United States
Sir,
The prospect of full employment at the Mint still continues and is likely to remain. It is not improbable, that in the course of the present years, we shall strike to the amount of not less than a million of dollars. Our present Engraver, Mr. Scott, though indeed a meritorious and faithful Officer, is yet so far advanced in life, that he cannot very long be expected to continue his labors. In the event of his sickness or death, the business of the Institution would probably be stopped for some time, since few, if any one could be found qualified to supply his place, except Mr. Reich, an artist with whose talents, I presume, you are not unacquainted; and this gentleman, not finding business here sufficient for his support, is, I understand, about the remove to Europe.
A small salary would, however, retain him in the country, and reserve his service to the Mint. And, in truth, the beauty of our coins would be greatly improved by the assistance of hit masterly hand.
An assistant Engraver was formerly employed by Mr. Rittenhouse, and by Mr. de Saussure, and with your approbation, Sir, I would immediately employ Mr. Reich in that capacity. He is willing, for the present, to accept of the moderate compensation of Six hundred dollars per annum; and should this gentleman be employed, perhaps more than his salary would be saved to the public, in what is usually expended on the engraving of dies for medals, but which might then be executed by an artist in this own service, with little or no additional expense.
I am, Sir, with perfect respect and esteem,
Your most obedient servant,
/s/ Robert Patterson, Director of the Mint
Comments
I could really use an obedient servant, my kids don't listen to me.
Very cool.
Ah the manners and etiquette of early times... Where has it all gone? Cheers, RickO
Roger,
Anyone who has been to NARA and has seen/read/transcribed the contents of these volumes of copied materials probably wonders, as have I, what happened to the originals. A few are still present but most, like Reich's original commission, don't appear to have survived. Any thoughts?
People wrote so eloquently. Makes you want to cry.
A couple of his signatures...
Lance.
Commissions and other documents were personal property and many were likely thrown away by descendants. Some were certainly kept as family mementos, and might lie in the bottom of some forgotten trunk from "Great Grandma's attic." A few of the Eckfeldt family commissions are known to exist.
Personal letters and diaries were often thrown away, which is why we have few first-hand accounts of workers and officers of the Mints and Treasury. Government Bureaus also had periodic house-cleanings when documents thought to be unnecessary were thrown out. At times, such as during Stella Hackel's tenure as Director, this became nothing more than wanton destruction, or "numismatic hate" as during Eva Adams' term. (Just my opinions....)
There are evidently two different versions of this letter. The OP transcription is also quoted in Don Taxay's book The U.S. Mint and Coinage. The March 25, 1807 Patterson to Jefferson letter found in the Jefferson Papers at the Library of Congress has the addition of a few important words within a sentence, which I put in bold:
"Our present Engraver, Mr. Scott, though indeed a meritorious and faithful Officer, is yet so far advanced in life, being I believe upwards of seventy, that he cannot very long be expected to continue his labours. "
In my book on Robert Scot, I quoted the Library of Congress letter found in the Jefferson Papers (these are online), because I believe it to be the version that President Jefferson received. Probably, the OP transcription was a draft and not the actual letter sent. The "being I believe upwards of seventy" phrase is significant, because it implies that Mint Director Patterson thought that Scot was much older than his actual age of 61 at the time (Scot's 10-2-1745 birth validated with National Records of Scotland), and gave this misinformation to President Jefferson.
Four days later on March 29, 1807, President Jefferson responded to Mint Director Patterson. I included a partial quote of this in my book, and have included the full transcription below. I am not aware of the full letter being included in numismatic publications.
"Dear Sir,
I have duly received your letter of the 25th proposing the appointment of an assistant engraver to the mint at a salary of 600.D. and that Mr. Reich should be the assistant. you are so exclusively competent to decide of the want, of such an officer, that I approve the proposition on the faith of your opinion. With respect to the person being appointed, my knowledge of the superior talents of Mr. Reich concurs with your recommendation of him in the proprietary of appointing him.
I should approve your employing the mint on small silver coins, rather than dollars & gold coins as far as the consent of those who employ it can be obtained, it would be much more valuable to the public to be supplied with abundance of dimes & half dimes which would stay among us, than with dollars & eagles which leave us immediately. Indeed I wish the law authorized the making two cents & three cent pieces of silver, and golden dollars, which would be large enough to handle, it would be a great convenience to our own citizens. Accept my affectionate salutations.
[to] Mr. Robert Patterson [signed] Th. Jefferson"
Very cool!
Very interesting. Thanks for posting the letter --and the reply.
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Nysoto,
Thanks for posting the received version of the letter. Yes, the mention of age is important to the Director's argument. There are at least 3 slightly different versions in the NARA archives plus the Jefferson one. None of the NARA version indicate "Draft" on them, but that does not mean they were really final. In some instances later a fair copy version changes the language slightly or omits a line, evidently through copying error.