take measures for
procuring some artists from any place where they were to be had. It was
known that a Mr. Drost, a Swiss, had made an improvement in the method
of coining, and some specimens of his coinage were exhibited here, which
were superior to any thing we had ever seen. Mr. Short was therefore
authorized to engage Drost to come over, to erect the proper machinery,
and instruct persons to go on with the coinage; and as he supposed this
would require but about a year, we agreed to give him a thousand louis
a year and his expenses. The agreement was made, two coining mills, or
screws, were ordered by him; but in the end he declined coming. We have
reason to believe he was drawn off by the English East India Company,
and that he is now at work for them in England. Mr. Bolton had also made
a proposition to coin for us in England, which was declined. Since this,
the act has been passed for establishing our mint, which authorizes,
among other things, the employment of an assayer at fifteen hundred
dollars a year, a chief coiner at the same, and an engraver at twelve
hundred dollars. But it admits of the employment of one person, both
as engraver and chief coiner; this we expect may be done, as we presume
that any engraver who has been used to work for a coinage, must be well
enough acquainted with all the operations of coinage to direct them; and
it is an economy worth attention, if we can have the services performed
by one officer instead of two, in which case, it is proposed to give him
the salary of the chief coiner, that is to say, fifteen hundred dollars
a year. I have therefore to request that you will endeavor, on your
arrival in Europe, to engage and send us an assayer of approved skill
and well attested integrity, and a chief coiner and engraver, in one
person, if possible, acquainted with all the improvements in coining,
and particularly those of Drost and Bolton. Their salaries may commence
from the day of their sailing for America. If Drost be in England, I
think he will feel himself under some obligation to aid you in procuring
persons. How far Bolton will do it, seems uncertain. You will doubtless
make what you can of the good dispositions of either of these or any
other person. Should you find it impracticable to procure an engraver
capable of performing the functions of chief coiner also, we must be
content that you engage separate characters. Let these persons bring
with them all the implements necessar