the

on the 16th day of December, 1799, by effuxion of though the assembly might not re-appoint; and the time, and Thomas M'Kean was the next day proclaimed truth is, that since the first appointment by the law, the Governor.

legislature lave never attempted to exercise the power Question. Does the above commission continue in of appointment, but it devolved (without any legislative force for the term of four years, or did it determine with cession) upon the supreme executive council, to whom,

power of the Governor? See first volume Pennsyl- in the opinion of the council of censors, it constitutional. vania Laws, 889, section 19.

ly belonged. I am clearly of opinion that the commission of Mr. If the regulation was unconstitutional under the old Read may be superseded at the pleasure of the present frame of government, the same reasons render it incon. Governor. The Legislature might create the office, the sistent with the provisions of the existing system, and constirution ascertain the terms of the commission.—it is, of course, repealed or annulled. Governor Mifflin could not give the appointment, ex- 2d. On the second object of inquiry, I premise that, cept in the manner prescribed in the constitution; if the law is repealed or annulled, by force of the existand this officer is not one of the enumerated instances ing constitution, the late governor could derive no powwhich are to be during good behaviour, for a term of er from it; & if the legislature could not prescribe a durayears, or appointed by the legislature, and of course tion to the commission, I think they are equally incomfalls under the only remaining class revocable at the petent to authorise the Gov. to do so. The power of the pleasure of the Executive.

executive depends implicitly, & entirely, on the grant of March 1, 1800. JARED INGERSOLL. the constitution. The legislature & the governor cannot,

therefore, jointly, or separately, make the power an iota (2) (

more or less than the constitution has made it, nor di. LANCASTER, March 1st, 1800. rect or modify the exercise of it, in a manner different The case naturally presents two principal objects for from the obvious design and meaning of the grant. The inquiry 1st, whether the Legislature has power to power of appointing to office, and of removing from of: prescribe the duration of commissions issued to the pub-fice, is granted to the Governor for the time being, uplic officers? 2d, Whether it is in the power of the Gov- on principles of public policy and personal responsibiliernor, for the time being, to grant a commission for any ty; but if it is construed so as to authorize the govern term of years, so as to be binding on his successor? or's issuing a commission for a term of years, all publie

1st. The constitution vests in the Governor the exclu- policy and personal responsibility are at an end. No sive power of appointing, and it follows as an incident, greater latitude of construction will be necessary to auof removing all public officers whose comiissions are thorize the executive magistrate to confer commissions not otherwise provided for by the constitution itself.- for life, or in tail; and every Governor, at the close of a There are, indeed, but three tenures of office recogni- triennial administration, must have it in his power to zed by the constitution: 1st, Judicial offices, which are impose his own partizans upon a rival successor, who to be held during good behaviour; 2d, civil offices may know nothing of the merits, and ought not to be which are to be held at the pleasure of the Governor; made answerable for the conduct of officers thus ap. and 3d, fiscal offices, which are constitutionally limited pointed without his previous participation, or subse in point of time, with the exceptions of the secretaries, quent assent. sheriffs and coroners, and other enumerated offices Hence, I conclude, that the governor for the time bewhich are to be held under the appointment of the le. ing has no: the power to grant a commission for any .gislature, or in such other manner as is, or shall be, di- terin of years, so as to be binding on his successor. rected by law. It is clear, therefore, that the legisla- And the general result, upon the case stated, is, that ture cannot appoint to any offices which are not express- the commission of Mr. Reed, may be superseded at the ly designated, as exceptions to the general authority of pleasure of the present governor. the governor, and I think it necessarily follows that they cannot, in any other cases, interfere with bis general au

(3) thority of removal. The executive power of removal,

Office of the Commonwealth, 2 and even the power of appointing, would become, in a

February 21, 1821. great measure, nugatory, if the duration of the appoint- REES Hill, Esa.. ment, after it was made, depended on legislative regu- Sir-In examining the law respecting escheats, lations; for if the legislature can declare that a man passed on the 29th of September, 1787, I find the sus shall continue in office for four years, the declaration preme executive council were authorized and directed may, with the same reason, be protracted for forty years; to appoint an officer to be called Escheator General, nay, speaking indefinitely, it might vest every office for to hold his office for seven years, if he should so long the life of the officer, or during his good behaviour, and behave himself well. And this office has been filled by thus the power, control, and responsibility, intended for successive appointments, since that time. The present the executive magistrate, would be essentially transfer incumbent was appointed on the 14th of September, led to another department of the goveroment. Under 1815. I have thought it necessary to mention this, to this impression, it appears to me that, though the legis- render more perfect the list already furnished. lature may establish temporary offices, or abolish any

Very respectfully, I am yours, office not depending on the constitution, yet they have

ANDREW GREGG. not a power to prescribe the duration of any commission regularly issued for any permanent civil office by the

(4) governor.

GENTLEMEN-I take the honor of acknowledging the But it may be proper to add, that the law in question receipt of Col. Hill's letter, covering the preamble and was, in other views, unconstitutional. For instance, in resolutions therein referred to, and have taken time to assuming the power to nominate and appoint the offi- collect on the subject such information, as was within cer, as well as to prescribe the duration of his commis- the reach of my limited means. Having done so, I now sion;* and even in the view now contemplated, it only respectfully assure the committee, that I know of no respects the actual occupant, and does not extend to his appointment to, or removal from office, by any governor

In the case of a vacancy, indeed, it was to of Pennsylvania, since the adoption of the present conbe supplied by justices of the peace "until the Assem- stitution, which in my opinion, was not constitutional. bly shall appoint another inspector.” Thus, excluding I am, gentlemen, your respectful and obdt. servt. in one word, at least, the idea of any tenure for years,

THO. ELDER.

To Rees Hill, Condy Raguet & Freďk? * See a declaratory act on this point, passed the 4th Eichelberger, Esquires, Committee, &c. } April, 1785.

Harrisburg, Feb. 26, 1821,

successors.

1 829.]

BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF

ANTHONY WAYNE.

25

that your honorable house is disposed to place the of ficers and soldiers of this, on an equal footing with the troops of other states. The discrimination which has hitherto been made between officers and soldiers fight

MAJOR GENERAL ANTHONY WAYNE.

[From the Casket.]

(Continued from vol. 3. page 404.)

created very unpleasant feelings.

The first hours of Gen. Wayne's relaxation from camping in the same cause and serving in the same army, has duty were devoted to his family and friends, in Chester county; here he spent a few days among those scenes of domestic happiness and social intercourse for which he possessed so great a predilection, but the enjoyment of which very rarely fell to his lot during an

eventful life.

Although absent from the officers and troops whom he had so long, so faithfully and honourably commanded, yet neither he nor they were separated in heart, as will fully appear from the following letters addressed to the President of Council, Robert Morris and Robert Knox, Esqrs.; the two latter gentlemen then being members of the legislature of Pennsylvania.

Dear Sir-I do myself the honour of enclosing an address of the field officers of the Pennsylvania line to your Excellency, together with copies of resolves of Virginia and Maryland, for supplying the officers and soldiers with clothing and other necessaries-also the report of the committee respecting the clothing lately arrived, under the conduct of Capt. Lang, with an estimate of the quantity of cloth and other materials sufficient to furnish a suit of clothes for each officer.

It is with sincere pleasure I join sentiment with the committee in congratulating you on your appointment to the presidency of a state, which, from internal divisions, has been rendered feeble, and which will require the utmost exertions of that fortitude and those abilities with which you have hitherto acted in the present contest; and by the means of which we have the most flattering hopes of seeing Pennsylvania resuming that rank and consequence which she is entitled to hold. I am confident that the officers and troops of the line will soon experience the happy effects of having at the head of their state a gentleman truly disposed to redress their just complaints and alleviate their distress, and whom they esteem as their common friend and guardian. The clear and decided opinion of the committee of arrangements mentioned in your Excellency's letter of the 14th instant, I shall communicate in as delicate a manner as possible to the gentleman who will be affected by it, and whom I most ardently wish to retain in the army, from the fullest conviction that our line will suffer extremely from the change. It is not the pay or emoluments attending their commissions which can induce gentlemen of sentiment and nice feeling of honor to remain in the service; the former being a mere "Vox et præterea nihil," it is the latter and rank alone that can retain them, and when once injured in those tender points we must expect to lose gentlemen of spirit and sensibility, who are the very men we require to render our army formidable to our enemies or respect

able to our friends.

Very respectfully, Dear Sir,
Your Obedient,

ANTHONY WAYNE.

I do solemnly assure you, that nothing but the highest sense of honour and a true patriotic zeal could have kept our officers in a service which promises nothing but indigence and want-their pay is an empty sound, and such as have not a little property of their own, and those who do possess some, are breaking in upon it by very swift degrees, cannot possibly furnish themselves with clothing, much less the usual comforts of life; so that unless something be speedily and effectually done for them, a vesy great proportion of our best officers must inevitably leave the service.

I ask nothing for myself, and believe me, that I have no interest in view other than wishing to see brave and worthy officers who have shared every vicissitude of fortune with me, and nobly fought and bled in almost every field of action, honorably provided for, and not left when scarred and maimed by wounds, and perhaps grey in arms,to depend on the cold charity of men grown rich under the shelter of their protecting swords. I candidly confess that I am prejudiced in their favour -I know their worth. Gratitude joined to justice makes me most ardently wish to see a generous and honorable provision made for them, not only now, but at the end of the war. 1 shall have the honor of waiting on you next week, when I will do myself the pleasure of laying before the house a plan for the distribution of such articles as may be furnished for the use of our troops. Interim, with sentiments of esteem, Your most obedient servent, ANTHONY WAYNE.

At no period during the revolutionary strnggle were the affairs of that glorious cause in greater jeopardy than at the very crisis which this memoir has reached, namely, the winter of 1779.

The French minister, Mr. Gerard, had, by written communications to, and personal conference with, Congress, held out such strong expectations of a general peace throughout Christendom, that the principal anx iety which appearad to exist on the subject, both in the mind of the minister and the French Court was, that America might delay, if not defeat, the desirable event, by asking more than European sovereigns would be disposed to grant; hence Mr. Gerard exerted his arguments and influence to induce the United States to reduce their ultimatum as low as might be compatible with their independency. The whole nation, with Congress at its head, became so infatuated with the notion of peace, that every other public consideration was sacrificed to this illusion. Says an eminent writer of the His Excellency, time, "Wednesday, the 30th of December, 1778, was JOSEPH REED. observed, by order of Congress, as a thanksgiving day. Gentlemen-I did myself the honor of laying your's At this very period the affairs of the United States were of the 25th Dec., with two resolves of the honourable in the most distressed, ruinous, and deplorable condithouse of Assembly, before the field officers of our line; ion. Idleness, dissipation, and extravagance, seemed to enclosed you have their sentiments thereon. We have have laid fast hold of the generality; and peculation, not been able to procure the rules and regulations of speculation, and an insatiable thirst for riches, to have the eastern states for supplying their officers and sold- gotten the better of every other consideration, and aliers with clothing and other necessaries, but we soon most of every order of men. Party disputes and perexpect them. Their officers and men have been uni-sonal quarrels were the great business of the day, while formly supplied, for three years past, with clothing, rum, sugar, tea, coffee, &c. &c., at a price proportional to their pay; and such of them as have families at home are furnished with provisions at the rate of one dollar per bushel for wheat, and so in proportion for every other article; whilst our poor fellows are obliged to pay five prices for almost every necessary of life.

It is with the greatest pleasure I find by your letter
VOL. IV.
4

the momentous concerns of the Empire,a great accumu lated debt, ruined finances, depreciated money, and a want of credit, which is the consequence in the want of every thing, were but secondary considerations, and postponed by congress, from time to time, as if their affairs wore the most promising aspect. The paper was sinking in Philadelphia, daily, 50 per cent., and yet an assembly,a concert, a dinner,or supper which cost 2 or

£300 did not only take men off from acting, but even May God bless our friends in the camp and send them of thinking of this business—some of the most interest. comfort; I mean in the eating and drinking way, is the ed and patriotic Americans felt more real distress on ac. constant wish of your very sincere friend." count of this appearance of things than they had done General Wayne being very desirous of aiding with his at any one time sincc the commencement of the dis- presence every application which he deemed proper to pute."

present to the constituted authorities of his country on That guardian angel of the United States, the beloved the subject of military affairs, after spending a short Washington, seeing, knowing, and feeling this most a time with his family and friends in Chester county, reJarming state of affairs, thus addressed "a very respec- paired to Philadelphia, where he addressed the follow. table friend, and a gentleman of splendid political tal. ing playful letter to one of his favorite officers, then ents.”

stationed in Virginia. "I am particularly desirous of a free communication

Philadelphia, 18th Feb. 1779. of sentiments with you at this time, because I view Dear Colonel:-I have been honoured with two of things very differently, I fear, from what people in gen- your favors, the one from this place, the other from Vir. eral do, who seem to think the contest at an end, and ginia; bot I have never had it in my power to acknowl. that to make money and get places, are the only things edge them before, and I now send this as a Ayer, by now remaining to be done. I have seen, without des Major Forsyth, who passes near your winter quarters. pondency, even for a moment, the hours which Ameri- I need not attempt to give you a description of the manca has styled her gloomy ones, but I have beheld no day ners, customs, fashions and extravagance of this place, since the commencement of hostilities, when I have as you had a sample of them on your way through; ali thought her liberties in such imminent danger as at press the difference is, that the whole rather increase than dient. Our enemy behold, with exultation and joy, how minish; and party runs so bigh that all public business is effectually we labour for their benefit; and, from being at a stand, and all public bodies lulled into an unworthy in a state of absolute despair, and on the point of evac- torpidity, from which nothing will arouse them but the uating America, are now on tiptoe. Nothing, therefore, approach of the enemy. A propos, while I am writing in my judgment, can save us, but a total reformation in an express announces the burning of a great part of our own conduct, or some decisive turn of affairs in Eu- Elizabeth Town, with Governor Livington's house, &c., rope.” He proceeds to say, “It is a fact too notorious and that the enemy are in force two miles on this side to be concealed, that Congress is rent by party, that of the town. Should they proceed further, I will join much business of a trifling nature and personal concern. General Washington as a volunteer; and in the interim ment withdraws their attention from matters of great will, as I have done ever since my arrival, enjoy every national moment, at this critical period—when it is moment that I can spare, and participate in every pleasalso known that idleness and dissipation take place of ure this place affords; and this, too, without the least close attention and application. &c." He further adds contamination. "It is never consistent with the views of the specula- I must do the citizens the justice to say, that they tors, various tribes of money makers, and stock jobbers have honoured me with every attention, and treated me of all denominations, to continue the war for their own with evey possible politeness. You know that I have a private emolument, without considering that this avarice fondness for ladies' society, yet, excepting the few days and thirst for gain must plunge every thing, including which I spent with my family in Chester county, I have themselves, in one common ruin."

not been at a single tea-party since my leaving the arGeneral Wayne being fully aware of the alarming su- my. I bave many cards of invitation, and I mean to pineness which pervaded the constituted authorities of avail myself of them; this is an indulgence which I have she country, and anticipating the evils which must re- some right to claim, having been sequestered nearly sult from the total neglect with which the comforts of four years from the society of the fair, and perhaps the the army had, heretofore, been treated, previously to next fair bullet may make my quietus; but a truce to his leaving camp, dispatched a few confidential officers this. to the seat of government, for the purpose of repre- A Light Corps, on a respectable establishment, is senting and opening the way for the redress of grievan. about to be formed. His Excellency has lately written ces, which both the officers and soldiers of the Penn- to me on the subject, and has offered me a command in sylvania line were suffering. One of those officers, af. it, which under existing circumstances, I will cheerfully ter addressing the General very fully on the subject of accept. My best wishes to all our brother officers, and the army, thus proceeds to animadvert on the state of believe me, your's most respectfully, society in the metropolis of the United States:

ANTHONY WAYNE. "I am distressed, my dear General, at the present However determined as the General was to partake prospect, I must assure you. Nothing but party reigns of the luxuries and pleasure of the day, he never for a in different bodies. Every thing confirms the opinios moment lost sight of his country's welfare, especially that the enemy have been long enough in this country. that of the army.

Permit me now to say a little of the dress, manners, While he was anxiously waiting a propitious juncture and customs of the town's people. In respect to the to present yet more fully the grievances of the Penarfirst, great alterations have taken place since I was last sylvania troops, he received the following letter from here; it is all gaiety, and from what I can observe, every Colonel Josiah Harmar. lady and gentleman endeavours to outdo the other in

Millstown Camp, March 8th, 1779. splendor and show; the manners of the ladies are much Dear General:- Agreeably to your request I do my. changed; they have really, in a great measure, lost that self the honour of transmiting you exact copies of the native innocence in their manners which formerly was two arrangements. The latter is likely to create great their characteristic, and supplied its place with what, they uneasiness. General St. Clair has recommended a call, an easy behaviour, &c.

board of field officers to sit, and endeavor to settle it The manner of entertaining, in this place, has like. amongst themselves. We shall have a difficult task of wise undergone its change. You cannot conceive any it.-The officers are greatly irritated. Yesterday they thing more elegant than the present taste; you will presented a letter to the committee, signed in behalf of hardly dine at a table but they present you with three all the officers present, stating many well-founded courses, and each of them in the most elegant manner. griei ances, desiring us to paint them in as striking

It is really Aattering to the officers of the army the terms as possible, and to inform the House of Assembly, attention paid them by the people. I have heard many unless immediate redress is granted, they would unaniof them mention it; we, I assure you, have tickets, in mously resign their commissions by the 15th April. general, for five or six days forward; God knows we de. The matter is really serious; such a step will dissolve serve it; much have we suffered, whilst these people the division. We have written to the committee of were enjoying all the luxuries and case of life. correspondence yesterday, informing them of the fixed 1829.]

ANTHONY WAYNE.

27

determination of the officers; but I suppose it will be want of such assurances they should now be necessitated
treated, as we have been, with neglect and contempt. to retire from the field in order to make some provision

Should you incline to accept the command of the against old age.
Light Corps, I shall esteem it a singular happiness to be Whilst the attention of the honourable house is drawn
honored with a command under you. I received a let. to these essential points, the recruiting business, which
ter some days since from Colonel Magaw, on Long Isl- is totally stopped, merits notice; fur however sanguine
and; he desires his compliments—and believe me, dear many gentlemen may be about the contest being nearly
General, your most obedient, humble servant,

terminated, yet common prudence dictates that the su

JOSIAH HARMAR. rest way to secure an honourable and advantageous General WarNE.

peace is being well prepared for war. The information contained in this and other letters Your regiments are far from being complete; besides was of such a serious cast, that General Wayne imme. the frequent deaths and desertions, incident to all ardiately addressed the following memorial to the Assem- mies, require a constant supply of men to fill the vacanbly of Pennsylvania:

cies occasioned by those and other causes. To the Honorable House of Representatives of the Free- If in stating the many points contained in this paper men of Pennsylvania, in Assembly mel:

any unguarded expression has dropped from the pen of The memorial of Anthony Wayne, a Brigadier Gen- your memorialist, he begs the indulgence of the honoureral in the armies of the United States, and late Com- able house to attribute it to an error of the head rather mander of the Pennsylvania Line, humbly sheweth, than a fault of the beart, and to give the whole that

That a committee was appointed by your Honourable decided consideration and effect that it may justly merit. House, at your last session, to correspond with the offi

Signed, ANTHONY WAYNE. cers of this State—that in the latter end of December, Philadelphia, 10th March, 1779. your memorialist was honoured with a letter, signed by Immediaiely after the memorial was presented it was two members of that committee, mentioning the dispo- referred to a committee, who were instructed to assosition and intention of the House to place the officers ciate General Wayne with them in the consideration of and soldiers of the Pennsylvania Line on as equal and its details. good a footing as the troops of any other States wbich The following letter announces the consequent proletter your memorialist laid before the field officers of ceedings:the line, who, through your committee, have addressed

Philadelphia, 14th March, 1779. . your Honourable House on the occasion, accompanied Gentlemen,- In consequence of a memorial of which with certain resolves of the States of Maryland and Vir- the enclosed is a copy, a committee was appointed, ginia in favor of their officers and troops. They also with orders to call me to their assistance, to form some transmitted an estimate of clothing immediately neces- plan for putting our officers and troops on an equal sary for the officers of the line, who were then experi- footing with those of other states. We went a little furencing every possible inconveniency, for want of pro- ther than was expected, and presented the honourable per and comfortable uniforms.

house with the enclosed resolves, which, after some de. That nothing has yet been done in the premises, owing bate, were carried by a great majority. as it is said, to an exbausted treasury; while the distress- Your letter of the 7th came to hand too late, but had es of the officers continue to increase, and their feelings it been in time, it would not have been presented, as but too severely to be hurt, under the idea of being ne. threats often irritate, and sometimes defeat the ends glected by a state, whose credit and honour they have, they are intended to obtain, however, I should have rein every vicissitude of fortune, supported with their tained it as a dernier resort. blood.

The recruiting business is now before the house, That within these five or six days the Executive which has demanded a loan of money from Congress council have caused their commissary to forward to camp for that purpose, and for procuring clothing, &c., for such spirits, sugar, coffee, &c. as he purchased, which the officers, who are now put on a footing equal to the was the first ever sent in pursuance of a resolve of your British establishment, and superior to any other on the Honourable House. That the quantity of these articles continent. is so small as to afford but a very limited and partial You will, in my name, please to congratulate the offi. supply, and that at nearly double ihe price paid by the cers and troops on the occasion, and believe me, troops of other States for goods of the same kind and

Your's,
quality.

Most affectiona:ely,
Your memorialist, therefore, begs leave to submit to

ANTHONY Warxe.
the consideration of the Honourable House, whether it The Committee of Field Officers
would be more proper to fix a certain price on all such of the Pennsylvania line.
articles furnished for the use of the troops of this State, To this communication the (eneral received the fol-
and that in proportion to their pay, than to leave it to following very gratifying, not to say flattering reply:
the unequal and fluctuating depreciation or appreciation

Milestown Camp, March 27th, 1779. of our currency, which is a very unfair criterion to de- Sir,—The manner of expressing the grateful sense of termine the value of goods, especially for officers whose a set of men (conscious of their inability) is harder to pay continues the same as it was at the commence conclude on than is generally imagined, especially when ment of the war.

they know they are more acknowledgements indebted, The dignity of the state, the general benefit of the than the delicacy of the benefactor would choose to service, the justice due to the worthy officers and soldi. bear, where disinterested friendship is the excitement. ers, whom your memorialist bad once the honour to com. In this dilemma of gratitude, we are really at a loss, mand, induce him wish the honourable house serious but fully sensible of the open goodness of your heart, ly to consider the expediency of making provision for are confident every reasonable allowance will be made the widows of such officers and soldiers belonging to this for our want of capacity and expression. state, as have fallen or may fall in defence oftheir coun. We are (long since) acquainted with your endear. try; and also whether gentlemen who have been long se ours to render the troops of the State of Pennsylvania questered from every social and tender connection, and respectable and comfortable; and the recent proof you whose health and fortunes, from the times as well as the have given of your attachment to them, has rivetted the nature of the service, are much impaired, ought now to hearts of all ranks more firmly to you (if possible) than be assured of an honourable provision during life, after before.-Your manly and pathetic address to the as. they return to private citizens, perhaps grown grey in sembly must (nay does) render your name more dear arms and covered with honourable wounds received in to the whole line, who are confident of its effect with support of liberty and the rights of man; or whether for the house. If there be a merit in keeping the present

"Total amount-109,278,031 pieces of coin making $32,206,825 384."

set of officers in the service, or a benefit hereafter re-making 57,029,555 pieces of copper coin, amounting sult by it to the state, it is much owing to your deli- to $539,512 98." cate mode of proceeding on the occasion, as they were generally determined to quit the field; but as a provision is now made that will enable them to serve, we hope our friends and country will be convinced and see by our future conduct, it was no licentious or parsimonious view, but real necessity, and an apparent neglect caused the resolution.

We therefore beg leave to assure you, Sir, that we have the highest opinion of your integrity and worth, and though we have not now the honour to be commanded by you in the field, we hope you will not imagine us so contracted in sentiment, as to lose any part of that sincere esteem and respect we have ever had for you as a friend, a brother and commander, and hope in a short time to see justice done to your well-known merit, and you placed in that station we are confident you can fill with honour to yourself, satisfaction to the public, and benefit to your country.

Filled with these sentiments, and conscious of your deserts, we pray you to receive, through us, the most grateful acknowledgments of your services, and the sincere thanks of the whole line present, with their best wishes for your health and welfare-and in a particular manner the thanks and friendship of, dear General, Your most obedient

and very affectionate humble servants,

James Chambers, Col. 1st., P. Reg't.
Richard Butler, Col. 9th., P. Reg't.
Thomas Craig, Col. 3d., P. Reg't.
Josiah Harmar, L. Col. 6th., P. Reg't.

To the above are added all the names of the field officers then at camp.

The Honourable

MINT OF THE UNITED STATES. The foundation stone of the Edifice about to be erected*, under the provisions of the law for extending the Mint establishment, according to a plan thereof approved by the President, was laid, on the morning of the 4th of July, at 6 o'clock, in presence of the Officers of the Mint, and a number of distinguished Citizens.

Within the stone was deposited a package, securely enveloped, containing the newspapers of the day, a copy of the Declaration of Independence, of the Constitution of the United States, and of the Farewell Address of General Washington; also, specimens of the National Coins, including one of the very few executed in the year 1792, and a half dime coined on the morning of the 4th, being the first of a new emission of that coin, of which denomination none have been issued since the year 1805.

Within the package was also enclosed a scroll with following inscription.

"Mint of the United States." "This Institution was originally established by Act of Congress April 2d, A. D. 1792, Gen. George Washington being President of the United States, and the fol. lowing fifteen States members of the Union, viz:-New Hampshire, Masssachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky."

"An extension of the Mint establishment was authorised by Act of Congress, March 28, 1827, John Quincey Adams being President of the United States, and the following twenty four States members of the Union, viz: Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama.

In fulfilment of the law for extending the Mint establishment, this foundation stone of the Edifice designed for that purpose, was laid on the 4th day of July, A. D. 1829.

Gen. Andrew Jackson, being President.
J. C. Calhoun, Vice President.
Martin Van Beuren, Secretary of State.
S. D. Ingham, Secretary of the Treasury.
John H. Eaton, Secretary of War.
John Branch, Secretary of the Navy.
Officers of the Mint,
Samuel Moore, Director.
James Rush, Treasurer.
Adam Eckfeldt, Chief Coiner.
Joseph Richardson, Assayer.
Joseph Cloud, Melter and Refiner.
William Kneas, Engraver.
George Ehrenzeller, Clerk.

Architect of the Edifice.

William Strickland,

3.

3 day SW 4 day W

12 dayNW Weather.

9 days clear.
10 p clear p cly.
1 cloudy no rain,
4 p cly. p rain.
4 showry.
2 thunder-gusts,