DATE: June 7, 1834

TOWN: Baltimore

SOURCE: Niles' Weekly Register

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES -- MAY 27

The following engrossed bill was this day taken up for consideration, viz:

A bill regulating the value of certain foreign silver coins within the United States.

Be it enacted, & c. That, from and after the passage of this act and for three years thereafter, and no longer, the following silver coins shall pass current as money within the United States, and be a legal tender, by weight, for the payment of all debts and demands, at the rates following, that is to say: the dollars of Mexico, Peru, Chili and Central America, and those restamped in Brazil, of the value of nine hundred and sixty reas, when of not less fineness than ten ounces, fifteen pennyweights and twelve grains of pure silver in the troy pound of twelve ounces of standard silver, at one hundred and sixteen cents and one-tenth of a cent per ounce: and the five frank pieces of France, when of not less fineness than ten ounces and sixteen pennyweights in twelve ounces troy of standard silver, at one hundred and sixteen cents and four-tenths of a cent per ounce; Provided, and it is hereby declared, that such tender by weight shall not extend to the payment of any debt or demand for a less sum than one hundred dollars.

Sec 2. And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the secretary of the treasury to cause assays of the aforesaid silver coins, made current by this act, to be had at the mint of the United States at lease once in every year, and to make report of the result thereof to congress.

Mr. Gorham moved to recommit the bill to a committee of the whole, with instructions to strike out the first section, and in lieu thereof insert the following:

Be it enacted, & c. That from and after the passage of this act the following silver coins shall be of the legal value, and shall pass current as money within the United States, by tale, for the payment of all debts and demands at the rate of one hundred cents the dollar; that is to say, the dollars of Mexico, Peru, Chili and Central America, of not less weight than as now coined, and those restamped in Brazil of the like weight, when of not less fineness than ten ounces, fifteen pennyweights and twelve grains of pure silver, in the troy pound of twelve ounces of standard silver; and the five frank pieces of France, when of not less fineness than ten ounces and sixteen pennyweights in twelve ounces troy weight of standard silver, at the rate of ninety-three cents each.

After debate, the motion was agreed to, by 86 votes to 82; and the amendment having been made as proposed by Mr. Gorham, the bill, thus amended, was read a third time, passed, and sent to the senate for concurrence.