LINCOLN, United States Consul to Baron Von Soden, July 5, 1877
Mr. Lincoln to Baron Von Soden.
July 5, 1877.
No. 322.]
Sir: I have had the honor to receive your dispatch regarding a reassay of the current coins at this port.
I am fully convinced that such an assay would not prove beneficial to those whom I know it is your desire, as well as my own, to serve.
The assays heretofore made at this port of the American trade and Mexican dollar do not agree with the assays made in the United States of the same coins, these coins being declared here a little less fine than their true value, though, I understand, they are taken for customs duty and by all bankers and merchants at 90/100 fineness.
While it would be desirable to know the exact value of a Haikwan tael, I fear it is a thing not so easily ascertained, as I learn that by some strange arithmetical calculation, known only to those familiar with its working, the value of the Haikwan tael varies as much as the rates of exchange upon Europe or America.
I am, &c.,
United States Consul.