He also informs me, that the several coins in circulation among us, have already been assayed with accuracy, and the result published in a work on that subject.  The assay of Sir Isaac Newton had superseded, in my mind, the necessity of this operation as to the older coins, which were the subject of his examination.  This later work, with equal reason, may be considered as saving the same trouble as to the latter coins.

So far, then, I accede to the opinions of the Financier.  On the other hand, he seems to concur with me, in thinking his smallest fractional division too minute for a Unit, and, therefore, proposes to transfer that denomination to his largest silver coin, containing 1000 of the units first proposed, and worth about 4s. 2d. lawful, or 25/36 of a dollar.  The only question then remaining between us is, whether the Dollar, or this coin, be best for the Unit.  We both agree that the ease of adoption with the people, is the thing to be aimed at.

1.  As to the Dollar, events have overtaken and superseded the question.  It is no longer a doubt whether the people can adopt it with ease; they have adopted it, and will have to be turned out of that, into another track of calculation, if another Unit be assumed.  They have now two Units, which they use with equal facility, viz. the Pound of their respective state, and the Dollar.  The first of these is peculiar to each state; the second, happily, common to all.  In each state, the people have an easy rule for converting the pound of their state into dollars, or dollars into pounds; and this is enough for them, without knowing how this may be done in every state of the Union.  Such of them as live near enough the borders of their state to have dealings with their neighbors, learn also the rule of their neighbors:  Thus, in Virginia and the Eastern States, where the dollar is 6s. or 3/10 of a pound, to turn pounds into dollars, they multiply by 10, and divide by 3.  To turn dollars into pounds, they multiply by 3, and divide by 10.  Those in Virginia who live near to Carolina, where the dollar is 8s. or 4/10 of a pound, learn the operation of that state, which is a multiplication by 4, and division by 10, et e converso.  Those who live near Maryland, where the dollar is 7s. 6d. or 3/8 of a pound, multiply by 3, and divide by 8, et e converso.  All these operations are easy, and have been found by experience, not too much for the arithmetic of the people, when they have occasion to convert their old Unit into dollars, or the reverse.

2.  As to the Unit of the Financier; in the States where the dollar is 3/10 of a pound, this Unit will be 5/24.  Its conversion into the pound then, will be by a multiplication by 5, and a division by 24.  In the States where the dollar is 3/8 of a pound, this Unit will be 25/96 of a pound, and the operation must be to multiply by 25, and divide by 96, et e converso.  Where the dollar is 4/10 of a pound, this Unit will be 5/18.  The