r i i .'i' i i e 



Figure 35. — First steam-driven coining press, U.S. Mint, 

 1836. Designed by Franklin Peale. Front view (opposite) 

 and side elevation. Detail of the toggle joint is shown at ex- 

 treme upper left of figure on p. 68. From Journal of The 

 Franklin Institute (November 1836), vol. 22. 



On his return he took his position in the mint as 

 assistant assayer, and at once inaugurated the most 

 important changes in that department, which eventu- 

 ally led to vital changes in coinage from hand to that 

 of steam power, but of this further along. To show 

 the fitness of Mr. Peale for the position which led to 

 such important results, a resume of his early training 

 will not be out of place here. 



.... Franklin of his own volition had gone to the 

 cotton factory of William Young, on the Brands wine, 

 in Delaware, to learn the trade. Mr. Young was a 

 friend of the family and great confidence was placed 

 in his counsel and advice in leading the boy out of 

 what was considered a foolish whim. Connected 

 with Young's cotton factory was a machine shop for 

 making carding and spinning machinery. It was 



69 



