KUHLING, Vice-Consul for Bremen to Mes, September 11, 1867

American government vs. Hoffman.

Gentlemen: In accordance with your request of the 6th instant I made inquiry at Bremerhaven respecting Bernard Hoffman, who is accused of passing counterfeit $2 notes, and hand you annexed the result of my inquiries. I remain, gentlemen, yours obediently,

[Translation.]

At the request of Mr. H. Reidhl (agent of the North German Lloyd) I hereby declare on oath that the mate, B. Hoffman, of the schooner Moene, exchanged about three months ago, in my presence, from a fireman on board the American steamer Atlantic, a number of $2 notes without knowing that they were counterfeit.

CARL WIESE.

The above declaration was signed and declared in my presence.

J. HEITMAN, Captain of the steamer Moene.

The agent of the North German Lloyd writes as follows:

Hoffman appears to be a respectable man, who for a length of time has served on board the steamers of the North German Lloyd to the satisfaction of the captains.

The innkeeper and retailer, Carl Wiese, is a citizen of Bremerhaven, residing in the Iahrstrasse, and, so far as I have been able to ascertain, has a good reputation.

One of the crew of the Atlantic wished to change American notes. Weise himself had not sufficient cash, and Heffman, who happened to be in the house, offered to change it.

Wiese was under the belief that the money was genuine, and is of opinion that Hoffman shared in this erroneous belief.

I learn that one of the crew of the Atlantic exchanged paper money in various places, which afterwards proved to be counterfeit, and probably this man is the same who visited Weise’s shop.