Patterson.] OUU ^ [Dee. 18. 



lectures on a subject adapted to his special talents. He here delivered 

 two courses, in the winter of 1831-2 and 1832-3, on Mechanics, or rather 

 on Machines. These were fully illustrated either by the machines them- 

 selves, or diagrams, were novel in their character, and justly added to 

 Mr. Peale's reputation. He was long an active member of the Institute, 

 giving efficient labor on its most important committees, and at the annual 

 exhibitions, and occasionally contributing articles on mechanical subjects 

 to its Journal. 



In 1883, Mr. Peale entered upon that connection with the Mint of the 

 United States, which gave a full opportunity for the display of his special 

 abilities, and through which his reputation was firmly established. Dr. 

 Samuel Moore, then Director, conceived the project of a mission to Eu- 

 rope, for the purpose of examining and reporting on such chemical, me- 

 chanical and metallurgic methods and improvements, as might be deemed 

 worthy of introduction into our Mint. He procured the needful authority, 

 and appropriations, and having the fullest confidence in Mr. Peale, selected 

 him as the agent for this purpose. He accepted the trust and sailed for Eu- 

 rope in May of the same year, being officially designated as Assistant Assayer. 

 Mr. Peale remained abroad two years. The subjects of special interest to 

 the Director had been the Sulphuric Acid process of Refining (or Parting, ) 

 and the Humid Assay of Silver, on which full investigations were required, 

 but Mr. Peale was not restricted in his inquiries, nor in truth was he one 

 likely to overlook any particulars bearing directly or remotely upon the 

 broad objects of his mission. His intelligent, patient labor, mastered 

 every detail. By partial reports during his absence, but more especially 

 by a full and final report after his return, accompanied by plans and 

 drawings, our Mint was placed in full possession of all that was then 

 worthy to be known of the establishments, public and private, whose or- 

 ganization and methods affiliated them with our own. The direct results 

 of the mission, were the introduction of the humid assay, some improve- 

 ments in the details of the refining process, and the labor-saving method 

 of duplicating working dies for coinage. The indirect results were per- 

 haps, equally important. For the thoughts and labors of a man of genius 

 in mechanics (as Mr. Peale was,) could not be concentrated on the details 

 of Mint processes, without planning many valuable improvements. Hap- 

 pily for the public service. Dr. R. M. Patterson, the Director who succeed- 

 ed Dr. Moore, (in July, 1835,) was Mr. Peale's warm friend, and a great 

 admirer of his talents. His "mission" did not cease, therefore, with his 

 return from Europe, but he became associated permanently with the Mint, 

 for a time as Assistant Assayer, then as Melter and Refiner (in 183G), and 

 finally as Chief Coiner (in 1839). His first great work was in the con- 

 struction of the steam coining presses, substituted for the hand presses 

 then in use. The first steam press was manufactured under his supervi- 

 sion, by Merrick, Agnew & Tyler, and turned out its first specimens in 

 March, 1836. Presses subsequently manufactured for our own and other 

 mints, have been improved in minor points, but their principle of action 



