Convicting, &c. persons guilty of buying or selling Counterfeit Copper money of Foreign States at a lower rate than it imports 10 0 0 To be paid without deduction or fee, within one month after such conviction, on tendering a certificate to the Sheriff. It is also proposed that the Treasury shall have power to issue out of the Duties of Customs a sufficient sum of money for prosecuting offenders against the Mint laws. Whatever might be the effect of these amendments in the Mint laws, and necessary as they appear to be, it is still to be feared that until a new coinage of Silver money and Copper halfpence and farthings shall take place, no legislative restrictions, regulations, or punishments, can produce an effectual cure to this enormous evil; although, from the many deficiencies which have been detailed, it is evident a great deal of good may be done immediately in this way. A coinage of Silver money is a great State question, which may require a fuller consideration; but no doubt can be entertained of the indispensable necessity of such a measure, as soon as circumstances will admit. If to a new coinage of _shillings_ and _sixpences_, should be added an extensive coinage of silver money of the value of _four pence_ and _three pence_, according to ancient usage, it would prove a great convenience to the public, and remedy much of the inconvenience which arises from the ponderous nature of Copper money; while a smaller quantity would be required for circulation. No doubt can be entertained of the nation deriving considerable advantages from having increased the weight of copper coin, so as to bring it as near as possible to the _intrinsic_ value of the metal of which it is composed. This arrangement will, it is hoped, ultimately prove the means of effectually preventing counterfeits; and the copper, being a native article produced in the country, may in time, through the medium of _coined money_, become a profitable branch of commerce with foreign nations; where even an extensive circulation may be insured, in consequence of the _intrinsic_ and _denominative_ value being the same, or nearly so. This is exemplified in the policy of Sweden, where the copper dollar being so heavy as to answer to sixpence sterling, has long been exported; and forms a considerable, and even a profitable branch of commerce to that nation. In Russia the _Three Copee Piece_ is very nearly of the weight of six English halfpence, yet its current value is only a small fraction above one penny sterling;--and thus by issuing no copper coin where the _denominative_ is not in proportion to the _intrinsic_ value, every class of dealers who vend the necessaries of life are shielded against loss; and every unnatural rise in the price of provisions for the subsistence of the poor is of course prevented.