No. 78.
Mr. Evarts
to Mr. Borges.
Department
of State,
Washington, March 3,
1879.
Sir: Referring to your note of the 23d of February,
1878, on the subject of making provision by law for the punishment of
counterfeiting paper money of foreign governments, and to your notes of June
25 and November 8 last, relating to the same subject, I have the honor to
inclose herewith a copy of a letter in regard to the matter from the
chairman of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.
Accept, sir, &c.,
[Page 141]
[Inclosure in Mr. Evarts’
note.]
Mr. George F.
Edmunds to Mr. Evarts.
United
States Senate Chamber,
Washington, February 26,
1879. (Received February 27.)
Sir: Referring to your letters of 22d March and
16th December, 1878, on the subject of making provision by law for the
punishment of counterfeiting, &c., of the notes and securities
issued by foreign governments, which matter arose upon the suggestion of
the Brazilian minister of certain attempts in the State of New York at
counterfeiting the securities of his government, I have the honor to say
that the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate have had the matter
from time to time under consideration. I regret to inform you that,
owing to differences of opinion among the gentlemen of the committee in
relation to the constitutional power of the United States to reach such
cases by national laws, we have so far been unable to report to the
Senate any provision upon the subject. The committe fully share in the
friendly disposition manifested by your department, and by the
authorities of the State of New York, towards the Government of Brazil,
and in the desire to prevent and punish the wrongs referred to, and I
hope that at the next session of Congress, if the matter should be again
called to its attention, some adequate means may be found to reach the
end in view.
Very respectfully, &c.,
GEORGE F. EDMUNDS,
Chairman of
Committee.
