of mind and action it was provided that their removal
should only take place for actual incapacity or infidelity
to the trust, and to be followed by the President
with an exposition of the causes of such removal,
should it occur. It was proposed to establish
subordinate boards in each of the States, under the
same restrictions and limitations of the power of
removal, which, with the central board, should receive,
safely keep, and disburse the public moneys. And
in order to furnish a sound paper medium of exchange
the exchequer should retain of the revenues of the
Government a sum not to exceed $5,000,000 in specie,
to be set apart as required by its operations, and
to pay the public creditor at his own option either
in specie or Treasury notes of denominations not less
than $5 nor exceeding $100, which notes should be
redeemed at the several places of issue, and to be
receivable at all times and everywhere in payment of
Government dues, with a restraint upon such issue of
bills that the same should not exceed the maximum
of $15,000,000. In order to guard against all
the hazards incident to fluctuations in trade, the
Secretary of the Treasury was invested with authority
to issue $5,000,000 of Government stock, should the
same at any time be regarded as necessary in order
to place beyond hazard the prompt redemption of the
bills which might be thrown into circulation; thus
in fact making the issue of $15,000,000 of exchequer
bills rest substantially on $10,000,000, and keeping
in circulation never more than one and one-half dollars
for every dollar in specie. When to this it is
added that the bills are not only everywhere receivable
in Government dues, but that the Government itself
would be bound for their ultimate redemption, no rational
doubt can exist that the paper which the exchequer
would furnish would readily enter into general circulation
and be maintained at all times at or above par with
gold and silver, thereby realizing the great want
of the age and fulfilling the wishes of the people.
In order to reimburse the Government the expenses of
the plan, it was proposed to invest the exchequer with
the limited authority to deal in bills of exchange
(unless prohibited by the State in which an agency
might be situated) having only thirty days to run and
resting on a fair and bona fide basis. The legislative
will on this point might be so plainly announced as
to avoid all pretext for partiality or favoritism.
It was furthermore proposed to invest this Treasury
agent with authority to receive on deposit to a limited
amount the specie funds of individuals and to grant
certificates therefor to be redeemed on presentation,
under the idea, which is believed to be well founded,
that such certificates would come in aid of the exchequer
bills in supplying a safe and ample paper circulation.
Or if in place of the contemplated dealings in exchange
the exchequer should be authorized not only to exchange
its bills for actual deposits of specie, but, for specie