special exception, as being more disposed to suffer a deterioration of color by use, than gold alloyed with any of the intermediate proportions of silver or copper. Specimens Nos. 3 and 5, in which the alloy consists of equal parts of silver and copper, exhibit a more satisfactory appproximation to the appearance of fine gold; which would be but little impaired by an increase in the proportion of copper to that of two parts to one of silver, as exhibited in No. 6. A higher proportion of silver in the alloy than one-half would not improve the coin either in regard to complexion or durability, and is objectionable as involving an expenditure of silver without an object. Gold readily gives up its silver to the ordinary process of parting within this limit. Either of those proportions, viz. the one-twelfth, as in No. 3, or the onetenth, as in No. 5, may be regarded as at least equal to any other combination of alloy with pure gold, in resisting loss from wear in circulation. With respect to the continued brightness of the coin, an alloy of onetwelfth or of one-tenth, if constituted of silver and copper in equal proportions, as in Nes. 3 and 5, or in any inferior proportion of the former to the latter, not less than one-half, as in No 6, appears to present the limits within which the object may be most satisfactorily attained. Gold thus alloyed, is considered by the chief coiner of the Mint, whose long experience gives much value to his opinion as possessing great aptitude for bearing the vari ous operations incident to coinage, and retaining its brightness well, under the ordinary exposure of a coin in circulation. No proportion of the constituent ports of the alloy, it is believed, would be in any sensible degree preferable in these regards. unless associated with a standard fineness, ap proaching so near to pure gold as to be liable to the exceptions before sta ted in regard to a coinage of that grade. 978 1500 Of the two proportions of alloy, viz. the twelfth and the tenth of the standard weight, the latter, as represented in Nos. 5 and 6, is, after much reflection, regarded with preference. It is no respect inferior to the alloy of onetwelfth, which is the present gold standard of the United States, while it is preferable thereto on some considerations entitled to regard, which have been transiently alluded to before, but demand now more particular notice. The decimal proportion of parts fine, and part alloy, corresponds more nearly than our present standard with the prevailing fineness of gold presented for coinage. An average of all the gold assayed at the Mint during the past year is found to contain parts fine, and parts alloy; which is nearly 24 per cent. below the decimal standard in question, and more than 4 per cent. below the fineness of our existing gold coinage The fineness of the gold coinage of Spain may be stated at parts fine, which is inferior to the above average. In the mint regulations of the Netherlands, adopted in 1816, the decimal standard of parts fine has been preferred for gold. It is the established standard, both for gold and silver in France, and appears likely to prevail in the neighboring countries. A late assay at the Mint of the gold coins of fifteen Governments of Europe, gave an average within less than the half of one per cent. of this decimal standard. All were slightly inferior, but none of them so much as 1 per cent inferior. An inclination toward this proportion seems thence appsrent as the prevailing tendency of European coinage. 10 By the existing Mint regulations, definite proportions of the constituent parts of the alloy for gold are not prescribed: they are controlled only b the provision that the quantity of silver shall not exceed that of the copper. Experience has amply confirmed the expediency of some latitude in this 9 respect. Exact proportions of the silver and copper could only be attained by a complex analysis and adjustment, not required for ascertaining the fineness of the gold, and unsuited to the current operations of the Mint. A process much more facile determines the constituent parts of the alloy within the above limits. In the gold coins of all nations, having a standard near to that of the United States, the variable proportions of silver and copper in the alloy are manifest on inspection. Though a consideration of the proportion of alloy most fit to be employed in our silver coinage does not come within the terms of the resolution, it is respectfully observed, in regard thereto, that the standard of parts fine would be preferable to the present proportions. This circumstance may be regarded as strengthening the considerations in favor of adopting the proposed modification of the gold standard. In the silver coinage it would be still more sensibly felt as an improvement. The alloy in the latter differs more than in the former from a suitable proportion. The silver standard of the United States is at present unlike that of any other nation. It is below that of England, France, Spain, and the Netherlands, i and most of the other Governments of Europe. It is inferior in fineness to the bullion received from commerce, which requires to be alloyed, at some expense, preparatory to coinage. Mint during the last year, including the various classes of foreign coins, The average of the silver assayed at the was of about parts fine, which exceeds the fineness now suggested by about 1 per cent., and exceeds the existing standard for silver by about 24 per cent. The fineness of the bullion received in other forms than that of foreign coins, exceeds our present standard by more than 5 per cent. Deposites of silver, therefore, would require sensibly less alloy if the standard were raised to the fineness proposed. Another result, not undeserving of regard, would be secured by a change; the silver of the proposed standard would bear better the various processes of coinage. In regard, therefore, to the expediency of changing the standard of our gold coinage, it is satisfactory to perceive that a similar change is admissi ble in the standard for silver with equal or greater advantage. Our gold and silver coinage would thus be in harmony with each other, and conformable to our decimal system. The proportional value of the fine metal in the coins would be the same as the proportional weight of the coins themselves. The dollar in silver would counterpoise that amount in gold coins expressed by the ratio of the fine metals to each other: thus, if the proportional value of fine gold to fine silver were established at 15.625 to 1, a dollar of the improved standard, containing, as at present, 371.25 grains of fine silver, would weigh $15.625 in gold of the improved standard, and any multiple of these would be in equipoise. All which is respectfully submitted. 2d Session. ARKANSAS ROAD-VILLEMONT TO LITTLE ROCK. JANUARY 9, 1833. Read, and referred to the Committee of the Whole House to whlch is committed the bill (H. R. No. 468) for opening a road from Villemont to Little Rock. Col. A. H. SEVIER: VILLEMONT, CHICOT COUNTY, ARKANSAS TERRITORY, DEAR SIR: Enclosed with this sheet you have an unfinished map of the southeastern quarter of our Territory; the object of which is to enable you to point out more clearly the route of the desired new road from this place to the capital of Arkansas. I regret that my avocations render it quite impossible for me to give to this subject, at present, the requisite time and attention to connect all the surveys of this district on the enclosed plat, and to finish it. However, as the most prominent points and leading positions of the intended and much desired road are laid down, it is hoped that it will be sufficient for our purpose. I have laid down all the surveys, of which I have data in possession, and cannot extend and connect the others till I can get access to the materials in the surveyor general's office. the course of the ensuing year, I expect to find leisure for this, and purpose then to construct an accurate map of this section of the Territory; possibly of the whole of it. In You will observe that the route of the intended road is marked on the map accompanying this by dotted lines. This is considered, by the best informed persons here, as the most eligible route of three which have been explored. It will thus pass over less low ground; will cross the bayou Mason and the bayou Bartholomew at good ferrying places; will head Hurricane creek; and occupy almost a direct line from this place, via Pine Bluff, to Little Rock. After this road shall have extended to the west bank of the Bartholomew, branches may be sprung from it to several important directions, viz. the Hot Springs, Cote Fabre, Hempstead court-house, Cantonment Towson, and the whole of the vast region laying between the Rio Roxo, the Arkansas, and Canadian rivers. This would be incomparably, and altogether, the nearest and the best route over land to the Mississippi for the dense population which is now been settling, and will ere long settle on the fertile banks of Red river above the Raft. Rest assured, the road asked for is a matter of incalculable moment to this section of Arkansas, and might be rendered a great accommodation, and a real benefit to thousands of emigrants and travellers from the southern and southeastern States into this Territory; which I purpose making more distinctly appear hereafter. In addition to the considerations due to the facts that the emigrations to this Territory from Georgia, from South Carolina, from the State of Mississippi, and South Alabama, &c. &c., would be greatly facilitated by the opening and making the contemplated road,-(and the most of our future population may be expected from that quarter, owing to the similarity of the great staples, and the superior profits to be derived from slave labor in this Territory,)-it should be taken into the account that the Hot Springs 18 destined by nature to be the most celebrated, and the most frequented, watering place in North America! Every intelligent and scientific tra veller, both foreign and native, who has visited these salubrious and efficacious springs, which the bounty of Providence has bestowed on the invalids of the southern and western States, unite in this opinion, and will, it is believed, testify to the correctness of this statement respecting them. Besides, it should not be lost sight of; and a wise policy, it is presumed, would dictate and sustain the measure, that the Government of the United States has upwards of four millions of acres of unsold lands in the district of country which would be more fully laid open by the road in question, and the sale and settlement of which would be greatly facilitated and expedited thereby. A series of careful and particular observations and inquiries, which an extensive tour through this region of country, during the last autumn, enabled me to make, have satisfied me fully that this part of Arkansas has been greatly undervalued. There are thousands of situations of great beauty and fertility yet in a state of nature, laying on the waters of Saline creek, the bayou Bartholomew, Washitta, Le Fevre, and Petite Jean rivers, all of which I have explored,-that are incomparably more desira ble, and hold out much greater advantages to the industrious cultivator of the soil, than much of the lands that are now held at ten times the price in the old southeastern States. It would be easy still further to illustrate the utility and importance which is claimed for the much desired new road, by many other observations which a long residence in the country, and the nature of my pursuits, have enabled me to make in detail; but, at present, the want of leisure, and the limits of this sheet, prohibit them. The residue of my present sketch must be con fined to the localities and practicability of the road, and, also, an estimate of the probable expense. That it is practicable to make a good road from this place to the high lands west of Bartholomew creek, that may be travelled at all seasons of the year, every intelligent individual, who has passed over this part of the alluvion of our mighty river, and who has ever seen any similar works to those required here in other parts of the world, will readily accord. To several such observers, this subject has presented itself with similar views to those which I shall, in the sequel, place before you. The leading object at present is to obtain such an appropriation of funds from the General Government as will enable us to make a road through the contemplated route that can be travelled from the Mississippi to the hills west of it, during the stages of the river, and at all seasons of the year. By a reference to the map accompanying this communication, imperfect as it is, (A) you will see that there are only two ranges of townships, or 12 (A) That part of my map which represents the course of the Mississippi river and the bayou Bartholomew, is laid down from the returns of actual surveys in the land office Little Rock; and shows the country between those streams precisely as I have found it f my own observations, |