Mints

The first U. S. mint was established at Philadelphia for the purpose of national coinage by the Act of Congre of April 2, 1792. The machinery and first metal used were imported. In 1792-93 coppers ‘ were coined, in 1794 silver dollars, and in 1795 gold eagles. Steam power was introduced in 1816. In 1835 branch mints were established at New Orleans, at Charlotte, N. C., at Dahlonega, Ga., in 1852 at San Francisco, in 1864 at Dallas City, Ore., and in 1870 at Carson City, Nev. A ay offices were established at New York in 1854, at Denver, Colo., in 1864, and at Boise City, Idaho, in 1872. These were considered branches of the Philadelphia mint until 1873, when the coinage act of that year made them separate mints and a ay offices. These mints are bureaus of the Treasury Department and are all under the general eupervision of the chief officer of that department. The mints at Charlotte and Dahlonega were suspended in 1861, that of New Orleans from 1860 to 1879, that of Dallas in 1875, that of Carson in 1885. In 1652 Ma achusetts had established a colonial mint at Boston for the purpose of coining shillings and minor pieces, but this soon became inoperative. In 1901 a new mint was opened in Philadelphia. Minuit, or Min new it, Peter (1580?-1641), born in Wesel, Germany, was made Governor of New Netherlands by the Dutch West India Company in 1625. He purchased Manhattan Island from the Indians, built Fort Amsterdam, and held office till 1631. Under the auspices of the Swedish West India Company, he planted a Swedish settlement on the Delaware, and built Fort Christian a in 1638. Minute-men, members of a military force authorized by the Provincial Congre of Ma achusetts in 1774. They were to hold them selves ready to take the field at a minute's notice.: Miranda’s Plot, a scheme devised by some of the Federal is? leaders of 1798, notably King and Hamilton, to join Great Britain in obtaining po e ion of the French and Spanish lands in America. One Miranda, of Caracas, undertook to secure the disaffection of the Span ish provinces. By this joint enterprise Great Britain was to obtain the West Indies, and the United States Florida and Louisiana east of the Mi i ippi. The plot fell through because President Adams refused t favor it. Misch i any a, an elaborate spectacular entertainment given te General Howe by his officers on his departure from Philadelphia in 1778. It was devised by André, — Mi ionary Ridge, Battle of, see CHATTANOOGA. Mi ions, Spanish religious establishments conducted by Francis can friars for the civilization and conversion of the Indians in Mexico and California. The first mi ion founded in California was at San Diego, in 1769; a second was established at Monterey a few months | later. Before many years had elapsed there was a line of twenty-one | prosperous mi ions between San Diego and Point Reyes. In 183% | » there were 30,650 Indians connected with the mi ions. The property of the mi ions was very extensive. Their decline began in the attempt at secularization by the Spanish Government. ‘The priests had absolute control over the Indians, treating them more like slaves than free men, yet they taught them much both of religious and practical matters. 460