Debrosse to the Secretary of State, of Interior, and of Agriculture, July 22, 1872

A. Behrosse, major-general commanding the arrondissement of Nippes, to the Secretary of State, of Interior, and of Agriculture.

Liberty—Equality—Fraternity.

republic of hayti.

Mr. Minister: This will inform you that Mr. C. F. Teel, a merchant at this place, sent some funds inclosed in a sealed bag to Messrs. Emile Sievers and Company, merchants established at Port au Prince, to buy drafts, and that this bag, containing $175,554, was returned to him by the schooner Nereid, arriving here about 10 o’clock this morning.

The authorities entertaining legitimate suspicions that this bag contained false money, were on the look-out, and immediately proceeded, after seizing the bag, to make a domiciliary visit to the premises of Messrs. Teel & Co., in order to examine the contents of the bag, as well as of such other places as might be used for the deposit of funds.

The fact remains established that of the $175,554 contained in the bag, we found $25,940 to be false bills of the denomination of $20. Messrs. C. F. Teel & Co. declared to us that they had received this money from various debtors, among others from Mr. Gédéon Riobe, at whose place we found in a trunk the sum of $110,072 in good bills.

The affair has therefore been referred to the commissary of the government for the arrondissement of Nippes, together with the documents in support of the accusation, followed by the arrest of the said Mr. Teel, who has been sent to be tried by his lawful judges. Under this cover are two several minutes recording the result of our investigations in the mater.

I pursue actively my functions, Mr. Minister, in order that the sword of justice shall fall heavily upon the fabricators of false money.

I have the honor to salute you, very respectfully.