The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-11-23
From the Journal Of Commerce.
The New Assay Once.

This work is going forward with energy and expec-
ta0ns entertained that will be completed IN about
three months unless something unforeseen should
The building which situated directly the OF the
old UDiied States Bank, w,l be substantial slruc
ture four stories ~ height besides he basement built upon
the most improved plan, with iron reoi and beams, and
essentially proof II is up about two stories.
Dimensions the ground, seventy Eve py thirty Two
feet The floor beams are OF wrought iron, on u new
plan, being much like II rail. Several builders have
already taken drawings and measurements, with the
view Of initiating them. The root will also consist OF
iron bars overlsi with some ncombusubie material
The assay office will have huge slack or chimney,
l44 ieet ia height. lined with re-bIck and by
Of the furnaces intense heat will be generated them
80 as TO ehec,aaly consume all the offensive gases
which would Otherwise be thrown oil lhto the atmos-
phcre. The basement and first story OF the building
OF cut soDe-asi The supestruciure brick Included IN
the various apparatus connected with The establishment
will be hne steam oil eight or ten horse power
aicsushing mill Tor puvertzing the dross scorIa an
imptsed hosting machine Tor raising heavy ARTICLES
fro' basement 10 the upper stores twelve or Jour
lie, t4tnaces 10 be located 10 the FIRST story and base
ntnt. and TO form two distinct sets at either extremity
ol The building, OF which will be for refining gold
aud the other tor silver The hosting machine, the
crushing mill, and other machinery that may be ntfo-
duced will ali be propelled by the steam engine. which
will also be employed 10 distribute hot air through the
otces, and especially TO expe the impure ac'd gases
(Which rse to the third story from the building The
furnace beoIe alluded To 10 be constructed
plan, acting the blow pipe system and anthracite
10 be used fuel instead OF charcoal, as at New Or
leans aud Philadelphia, which Is lar more expensive.
The arrangement OF the building is 10 be as follows
Basement, Tor engine furnaces, &c.
lst story, tor melting and refining.
I'd story, for tue assay department
Sd story, for separating or parting metals.
+th sory, for purposes not yet specified.
With the iacili,es here afforded, a vast amount o.
work may be accomplished Ii IS judged that ten OF
fifteen will be employed in The assay ohce-though
the number " not definitely kDown-one man being com
potent TO make three mells IN day, OF 1000 ounces
The bank building Wall will be used for the
sub treasury. An elevated platform will connect with
the eustom-house. Without doubt, strong effort will
be made BY representatives al the next session OF
Congress TO the passage OF the mint bill; and in
rear. extending back 10 Pine street. will be made on
which to the proposed mint, The appointments or
the assay Office have not yet been fully made. Besides
the asaayer Professor Torrey the meller, rehner
wegher. he. W ih assistants. The works in pro-
grsss under the superintendent OF able men, OF
whom has had extensive experience in the minis OF the
Uniled States.
The processes for which the present institution
tablished may be described thus, briefly Caornis
repeatedly skimmed remove earthly PARTICLES, ane
adled oct into basin OF wafer or "a feet deep, Il
granusie the metal. la this FORM IL is ike snow flakes
that may be acted upon by nitric acid separate hs
silver tso The gold The silver is preripaled through
stron1 salt BRINE, OF given strength, and afierward
washed and dried. In this form it is called chloride
silver or horn silver and only requires melting TO pro
hne goId II then undergoes another melting process
mxsftp with part OF copper and OF silver, or o
gold, which forms the standard of the United State
The metal s next run into ngos, about sxteel
insAaa long, wide, and half inch thick, weghn,
twaay or thirty ounces When stamped with u. s.,
ana lhsir exact weight, they are ready Tor shipment
csanaEe.