The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-02-27
For the Westers Democrat.
CONVERSION OF BRANCH MINIS INTO
ASSAY OFFICES

During the late civil war, branch of the u. s..
Mint was established at Denver, Colorado Terri
tory for the convenience of mining interest there.
In consequence of the difficulty and great ex-
pense of transporting supplies for separating the
precious metals and for coinages, the Director
of the Mint concluded to confne the operations
of this Branch to those Of an Assay Office. au-
thorizing certificates payable in coins at any
subtreasury of the United States, in exchange for
the gold bullion deposited for Assay in that
Territory The Director of the Mint regards
this plan as the true policy of the Government.
Coinages at the Branches in North Carolina
and Georgia were always limited to gold The
average coinages at these MINIS never ex-
eeeded S250O0O annually, which began to decline
IN 1857. The prospects now are not known. but
appear favorable. Formerly Government depos
lied coins at these MINIS for payment of deposit
tors as seon as the Assays were completed, with
out insisting they should be detained till their
ewn bullion passed through the refinery, usual
ly requiring the delay of q month =
The plan now suggested is quite as convenient
to the Miner and the Merchant, while many tedi-
Gus and dilatory processes are transferred to
theMint in Philadelphia where the loss by ''was-
tage' is less on large scale than on smaller OPP
erations. Supplies of acids black lead. pots cru
cibles and other implements cost greater
amount for transportation. than the transfer of
bullion to Philadelp ha, and the return of equiv
alent coins to Charlotte.
The expenses of an Assay Office may become
equal to those ola Branch Mint, as nearly the
same number of .workmen will be required at in
creased wages. The salaries of two offices now
deemed snperhuous may properly be added to
diminished number, the duties of which will be
increased. BY converting Branch MINIS into
Assay Offices their conveniences for mining and
mercantile purposes will still prove effective,
while an attempt to the old system may
imperl these establishments altogether. The
Assay Office will enable miners or farmers either
to receive gold coin directly, or drafts for coins
on distant sub treasures. their own bars Stamp
ed with Mint mark and values.
Among the people of China coinages of precious
metals have been abandoned. The large trans
actions of commerce decided by bars of gold
and silver, refined to high quality by dry pro-
cesses in a crucible melting pot. The value
of each ounce half, or quarter ounce or grain
lump. is well understood; but all people who deal
thus are obliged to carry small scales and
weights in their pouches girdles, to check
artistic coinages more convenient plan for the
people at large, although they are not necessary
in every locality. The lowest denominations of
with square hole in the centre. To facilitate
the counting of these pieces they are hung upon
a string. These "cash," they are called. are
money on one face. AS the ancient aroir du pois
proportions have been employed by the Chinese
from early ages the stamped dollars of Spain
and of the United States pass current like ounces
Of silver, as similar half ounce weights or shekels
did in, the days of the Hebrew Patriarchs, when
monies were weighed in the Chinese fashion.