John Bigelow to William H. Seward, December 26, 1865

Mr. Bigelow to Mr. Seward

Sir: The note which I enclose from the banking-house of Bamberger & Co., received subsequently to a conversation held with me yesterday upon the topic to which it refers, illustrates the inconveniences which our national securities experience in European markets for the want of a specific undertaking by the government to pay them, when they fall due, in gold.

If the Secretary of the Treasury should have anything to say in reply to Messrs, Bamberger that would tend to diminish this difficulty in the eyes of its clients, the effect would be shared by a large circle of influential capitalists, and by a still larger, if circumstances permitted me to give to it the publicity of the press.

I am, sir, with great respect, your very obedient servant,