Some Mint Directors wanted to actively preserve historical documents
RogerB
Posts: 8,852 ✭✭✭✭✭
The anecdotes of Directors Haskel, Brooks and others wantonly destroying historical US Mint records are well known. Here's a pleasant change from the attitude:
"Treasury Department,
Office of the Director of the Mint
December 29, 1873
Hon. James Pollock, Superintendent
U.S. Mint
Philadelphia, Pa
Sir:
On examining the records of mint correspondence turned over to this office by the Secretary of the Treasury soon after its organization, I find that it covers the period of time which has elapsed since July 1, 1834. It appears to be understood that the correspondence prior to that time was destroyed by a fire in the old treasury building on 1833.
I deem it important that copies of the correspondence between the mint and the treasury, and other departments of the government should be filed in this office, and that records completed as far as possible.
I will thank you, therefore, to cause to be neatly copies in a book (forwarded to you today by Adams Express) all the letters received and sent by the Director from the organization of the Mint to June 30th, 1834.
The consideration of this matter brings to my mind that fact that there has been kept in the Assay Department notes of important matters connected with the manipulation of the precious metals and coins of this and other countries, copies of which would be of great value to this office.
They present also the conclusions of the well stored mind and ripe experience of the last Jacob R. Eckfeldt. With the consent of the Assayer, I should like also carefully prepared copies of the notes in question.
If this work cannot be conveniently done by the clerks now employed, you are authorized to employ a suitable person for that purpose at a compensation of $6.00 per diem, payable out of the appropriation for wages of workmen.
This appointment will be submitted in due form and regarded as temporary.
Very respectfully.
H. R. Linderman,
Director
NB: $6 from $5 changes by Director Linderman himself Dec 30/73 in my presence ~ ofc J.C. P ofc P. Softes
[ handwritten note in file ]
Dec. 29, 1873
My Dear Sir,
I would be glad if Jim [James C. Eyster – ed.] would undertake the work required by my letter of this date. He writes a very legible hand and can get it up in good shape.
My letter does not refer to the Treasurer’s correspondence – I do not regard that as of any practicable importance, referring as it does only to accounts, but the Director’s correspondence is the only history of our Mint System.
Truly,
H. R. L."
Another effort was made in the mid-1890s, but it wasn't until the WPA took over that any meaningful systematic effort was made to preserve our national history.
Comments
It is commendable that he had such foresight... the documents certainly have proven to be informative. I wonder what history these modern methods of communication will leave (email, text, twitter et al)....Methinks the future will see little of reality. Cheers, RickO
At the present, I'm not sure anyone has identified the documents Linderman had copied. Those copied in the mid-1890s are in Entry-3 and E-162 at NARA Philadelphia. The work was ordered by Director Robert Preston and the copyist was Miss Ely:
"...I am anxious to secure for the Bureau, copies of the letters written by the Director of the
Mint from the earliest date up to 1853, and I thought that Miss Ely could be given this work, at least for the present. The letters should be recorded in a book procured for this purpose, in the regular order. I wish you would have Mr. Cobb, or someone else in the Mint look up the old correspondence as far back as possible, and set Miss Ely to making copies....."
[April 20, 1895 E-235 vo 074]