1894 LETTER ON MINT DOCUMENT DESTRUCTION

PREV ARTICLE NEXT ARTICLE FULL ISSUE PREV FULL ISSUE

V26 2023 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 26, Number 50, December 10, 2023, Article 11

1894 LETTER ON MINT DOCUMENT DESTRUCTION

Roger W Burdette writes:

"A frequent complaint of numismatic researchers, and sometimes collectors, is the absence of historical documents that we knew once existed. Many of these old papers might have solutions to long standing questions, or contain insights to actions. In exploring U.S. Mint archives these gaps are obvious and extremely frustrating since they seem to hide what was once known.

"As we've gained better insights into existing files, we've also come across letters reminding us that deliberate destruction of historical mint materials has been a regular, more-or-less routine practice for the past two centuries.

"The accompanying letter is typical of others that show up about every 20 years in existing mint and Treasury Department correspondence. There's no evident intention to hide anything by destroying old documents. It's simply an opportunity to free storage space, so the whole activity can be repeated a decade or so later."

Thanks - here's Roger's transcription of the letter. -Editor

February 19, 1894

Logan Carlisle, Esq.,
Chief Clerk,
Treasury Department.

Sir:
In compliance with the request contained in the letter from Honorable Secretary of Treasury of September 29th last, relating to the destruction of material no longer needful in the transaction of current business at the Department, you are respectfully informed that there are in the files of this Bureau some 125,000 documents, consisting of daily statements, reports, etc., from the several mints and assay offices, and miscellaneous letters on various subjects, which are no longer of use and could be destroyed without any detriment to the public service. Owing to the miscellaneous character of the documents above referred to, it is impossible to give a detailed list of the same. This accumulation of papers occupies a space of 120 cubic feet, and if destroyed would afford sufficient space for filing purposes for probably about ten years.

Very respectfully,
R. E.. Preston,
Director of the Mint.

Wayne Homren, Editor

The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit organization promoting numismatic literature. See our web site at coinbooks.org.

To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor at this address: whomren@gmail.com

To subscribe go to: https://my.binhost.com/lists/listinfo/esylum

PREV ARTICLE NEXT ARTICLE FULL ISSUE PREV FULL ISSUE

V26 2023 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE