Mr. Adams to Mr. Seward
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that on the 24th of August I received from Mr. Raymond, consul at Leeds, information that an attempt was making in Hull to put in circulation counterfeit notes of the United States, and asking instructions what to do. I immediately directed an investigation to be made, which produced a reply transmitting to me one of the two-dollar notes, and also stating that the source of the issue had been discovered.
Mr. Raymond being about to return home on leave of absence, requested me to communicate directly with Mr. Atkinson, his consular agent at Hull. I did so at once, authorizing him to pursue the investigation, and, if proof could be had, to prosecute the guilty parties. He reports to me on the 3d and 4th instant that a woman named Meanna Jackson had been taken before a magistrate for examination. She had, in her testimony, involved a man named Hoffman, against whom a warrant has accordingly been issued. The material part of her statement was that Hoffman had received the notes from New York. It remains to be seen whether Hoffman himself will be found to confirm it. I shall send a copy of his testimony so soon as I receive it. The note sent to me is so poorly executed that I should scarcely suppose any attempt would be made to utter it in America. Here, of course, it could gain no circulation. I have taken the responsibility to prosecute the matter at the expense of the government, rather as an early preventive measure than with any idea that it could itself do much harm.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State,Washington, D. C.