George Washington Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-19-02-0459

To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 15 March 1796

From Elias Boudinot

Mint of the United States. March 15th 1796

Sir

I have carefully examined the Model & Explanation, for milling the Edges of Coin, which I had the honor of receiving by your Order, under Cover from Mr Dandridge.1

I am happy to report as the Result of that Examination, that the Machine at present in Use, is more simple, more efficient, and much less expensive, both as to original Cost, & Labour in its Operation, than the one proposed by Mr Guyer;2 indeed I believe that it is scarcely possible to invent a more simple Mode of accomplishing this Part of the coining Business, with equal Expedition and Perfection. I have the Honor to be with the most perfect Esteem Sir, Your most obedient, and very humble Servant

Elias Boudinot

LS, DNA: RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters. A letter-book transcript is in DNA: RG 104, Letters Sent by the Director of the U.S. Mint at Philadelphia.

1. Neither the model and explanation nor the cover letter from GW’s secretary Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., has been identified.

2. Ernst Frederick Guyer, a mathematical instrument maker from Germany, had in 1792 and 1793 solicited Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, and the Pennsylvania legislature for assistance to establish a type foundry. In 1795 he offered to provide drawings and models of “the late invented machine for making nails,” and in January 1796 he unsuccessfully petitioned Congress to encourage his work about ascertaining longitude by lunar observations. He also did work for the mint (see Guyer to Hamilton, 12 Dec. 1792, in Hamilton Papers, description begins Harold C. Syrett et al., eds. The Papers of Alexander Hamilton. 27 vols. New York, 1961–87. description ends 13:316–17; Guyer to Jefferson, 8 Jan. 1793, in Jefferson Papers, description begins Julian P. Boyd et al., eds. The Papers of Thomas Jefferson. 41 vols. to date. Princeton, N.J., 1950–. description ends 25:34–36; Federal Gazette and Philadelphia Daily Advertiser, 15 Feb. 1793; Aurora General Advertiser [Philadelphia], 18 June 1795; Journal of the House, description begins The Journal of the House of Representatives: George Washington Administration 1789–1797. Edited by Martin P. Claussen. 9 vols. Wilmington, Del., 1977. description ends 8:117; ASP, Miscellaneous, 1:140; and American Antiquarian Society, Proceedings, n.s., 31 [1921], 185–86).

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    Washington Papers
    Title
    To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 15 March 1796
    Author
    Boudinot, Elias
    Recipient
    Washington, George
    Date
    15 March 1796

    Reference

    Cite as
    “To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 15 March 1796,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-19-02-0459. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Presidential Series, vol. 19, 1 October 1795–31 March 1796, ed. David R. Hoth. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2016, p. 561.]

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