§ Mr. Childerssaid the proclamation which had been issued respecting the gold coinage had occasioned great inconvenience, had put a stop to almost all payments, and as he had been informed, had most seriously prevented the payment of rents. He wished to ask whether the bank had the sanction of the Government in cutting sovereigns in two which were presented there, if they should be short in weight, and then, tell the persons who presented them that they might sell them where they could. He need hardly say what would be the loss occasioned by such conduct, in leaving the public at the mercy of Jew money brokers.
§ The Chancellor of the Exchequerobserved that the proclamation on the subject of the gold coinage which had recently been issued was merely a repetition of former proclamations which had been issued from time to time on the same subject, warning the public that sovereigns, below a certain weight, were not a legal tender. He was aware that the proceedings alluded to by the hon. Gentleman had caused great complaints, but the bank had now agreed to receive the light sovereigns at the Mint price of 3l. 17s. l0d. per oz. By this means he trusted they would soon withdraw the light gold coin from circulation.