Mr. Seward to M. Berthemy
Department of State, Washington,
September 30, 1867.
Sir: I Have the honor to recur to your note
of the 28th of August last, in relation to the deliberation of the
international conferences which have been, held at Paris recently,
having in view the adoption of measures which will secure a
practical unification of the coinage of the world, and I beg your
attention and that of your government to the enclosed copy of a
letter of the 26th
[Page 357] ultimo from the Hon. Hugh
McCulloch, the Secretary of the Treasury, expressive of his views
and intentions in relation to this interesting and important
question.
Accept, sir, a renewed assurance of my highest consideration.
M. Berthemt, &c.,
&c., &c.
Mr. McCulloch to Mr. Seward
Treasury Department.
September 26, 1867.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt of your letter of the 18th
instant, enclosing the translation of the note form M. Berthed,
the minister of France, addressed to you, embodying the result
of the proceedings of the international monetary conference
which assembled at Paris on the 17th June last, to discuss the
subject of the unification of the different monetary systems of
the different nations of the globe, and to lay down a basis for
future conferences. This conference proposes by means of
diplomatic conventions to secure a uniform system of coinage in
value, differing only in name and superscription, of exclusive
gold standard, nine hundred (.900) fine, the unit to be the
weight of the five-franc piece.
I heartily congratulate the conference upon the result of its
labors, and do not doubt that from its discussions will result
hereafter an international system of coinage so simple that the
commercial values of foreign exchange, now so complicated, will
be readily understood by every citizen. A consummation so
desirable has my cordial concurrence, and while at the present
time expressing no opinion upon the plan proposed by the
conference to which you refer, I shall take great pleasure in
presenting the subject to the Congress of the United States when
it shall assemble in November, next.
I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
H. McCULLOCH, Secretary of the
Treasury.
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State.
