EDMUNDS, Chairman of Committee to Evarts, February 26, 1879

Mr. George F. Edmunds to Mr. Evarts.

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.,