Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-01-14

brine as fresh water crab. | told him l was
right from swate Ireland-a grandson of Brian
Borohoime, who was king of my native coun-
thry some hundreds of years ago, and ax'd him
if he wouldn't take dthrap of crathur COM
fort to the honor of ould Ireland now. But
look ye, Cap'n! If my eyes be mates, the
same craft has just hove in sight again.
"On my word, tits Hartman" said Mus
grave, looking out at the window you must
away to the Bank, Pelet-'
"I am gone," said the latter as he retreated
from the room.
" And leave me to manage Hartman"
"Ah Friend Hartman, how dye do?
Heartily glad to see you. YOU got the money
the other day, my agent said. All correct sup
pose ?'
"Not quite correct Mr.. Musgrave. The
money was base coin, and have come to you
to secure me restitution"
''Base Coin How mean you friend Har-
riman %
"All counterfeit Mexican dollars. Here they
are. If you are judge, Mr.. Musgrave, de-
termine for yourself"
Mexican dollars The knave gave him
current bills on your own Banks, friend Har-
riman, and he has substituted a paltry counter
felt for current money, and fled But let us
see. What Call you this base coin? 1t has
the look, the ring, and every sign, of the purest
Mexican You are deceived, friend Harri-
man.
"I took it for good, and should again, but
those who know, pronounce it bad"
"Well Hartman good or bad tits such as
passes current here, and such as gentlemen
from abroad exchange money and merchandise
for. Doubtless you can dispose of it SO as to
save yourself from loss will endeavor to aid
you. By the by he continued, perceiving
Hartman looked encouraged, tits said there
are those here who make such money as this,
and that they mingle as much of virgin metal
with alloy as the genuine coin contains. Why
then should not the money be good?"
eff that is true, what profit can there be in
making it?" asked Hartman.
cay, and what harm?" said Musgrave.
True, what harm % answered Hartman.
"The profit, saving a little labor, consists in
the difference between the intrinsic, and the con-
ventional value, in the form they assume, of
the metals of which this money is composed" "
answered Musgrave, I" and that difference is very
great"
81 do not know that exactly comprehend
you," said Hartman with evidently increasing
interest.
"All coins, you are aware" continued Mus
grave, " have attached to them certain con-
ventional, or standard value, fixed by law.
Base metals being mingled with the good, the
intrinsic value for the refner's or any artisan s
use, of the gold Or silver which the coins con-
tain, is much less than the standard value Of
the money he must give in exchange. Were it
not so the current coin of the realm would be
absorbed in the mechanic arts. Specie, then,
having less intrinsic, and higher conventional
value than bullion, presents strong temptation
to individuals to engage in its coinage as one
is tempted by like hope of gain to convert
, any material from crude to an artificial state
Governments assume to monopolize the coinage
hence the necessity for rigorous laws to pro
tect the right they claim and hence too tht
y necessity for secrecy and cunning on the par
i of inferior mints to elude the ministers of th'
n law. So you see friend Hartman" he contn
O ued, watching the effect his conversation hat
on the latter, " here are adverse parties claim
4 ing equal rights. The money in your purse il
o intrinsically as good as that which government
q com individuals for an equivalent would b.
" as ready to take the one as the other and
but for government monopoly the hundreds TO
: which you gave your lands, would buy as mucl
f of anything to be sold, as if it were stampe'
IS by royal hands, whether in truth, it be tn
e governments coinage, or ours"
Q "0r yours Mr.. Musgrave?'' said Hartman
!, surprised.
n Yes, friend Hartman, if you please, o
) ours But hark ye, Hartman. By what m
dHellU Cdllb d ldlI UuSiICes bldllndCJlOH, HC
: imposed on you what an arbitrary governmen
i denationalizes as spurious and uncurrent coin
!. In consideration therefor he has received m
d current bills from me, and l, for them, a lie
l. on your farm from you. Now, though he is m
3, agent believe him to be connected with tn
Is mint nt,-powerful in influence, and though
il cannot compel him to disgorge, yet think, il
,s consideration of the relations | sustain towar
n him and you, can persuade him, on som
n terms, to secure to you an interest in the min
which will enable you speedily to repair you
|, broken fortune or build castle on its ruins
d Now choose"
In a state of waverng uncertainty borderin
n on despair, Hartman endeavored to collect hi
thoughts for an answer to Musgrave's sugges
g tion. For q considerable time he could nc
speak. His eyes stood prominently out in thei
IT sockets-his nostrils were dilated-the muscle
,k of his face swelled, as if he were an embry
Il. giant of precocious growth and his heart bea
d against its heshly walls like an ENGAGED br
in striving to be free.
81? Musgrave stole out of the room till his deliI
ut ium should subside. He desired the heart
al cooperation of Hartman with the Snageer
he Gang under belief that his muscular habit
or if not his ready wit or mechanical ingenuit,
he would be of essential service in hearing burden
ne and defending against attacks, of which the
70, We're in constant apprehension from the mini
in ters of the law. Whom he supposed Harr
he mans mind had become tranquilized he reel
he tered the room, and, without affording Harr
man opportunity to accept or decline his offe
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