§ MR. WATKINsaid, he would beg to ask Mr. Chanceller of the Exchequer, If any discussions have taken place between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of the United States in reference to the proposal of Mr. Chase to establish an International Coinage between England, France, and the United States of America?
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERSir, I have caused inquiry to be made at the Foreign Office with reference to the subject of the hon. Gentleman's Question, and the answer made to me is that on a careful search of the papers in that Office, no trace can be found of any discussions having been raised on this matter during the time that Mr. Chase 841 was in office, as between the two Governments of England and the United States. Speaking from memory, I certainly recollect on one or two occasions to have seen some gentlemen who were in this country, and who, as I understood, were here to ascertain what was the general state of I sentiment and opinion on this subject. I cannot speak positively, but certainly I am not aware that at any period the matter had advanced so far as to be the subject of any official correspondence beween the two Governments. As regards the period of Mr. Chase' tenure of office, I am in formed that there is absolutely no trace whatever of such a correspondence.