I called at the Treasury Department this morning relative to
funds to pay the hands in the Navy Yard at Broooklyn. Chase appeared very well
and calm. We talked of many difficulties. He wants the bank circulation
suppressed. I told him we could not have two currencies, for the baser would
always expel the better. He said the banks and individuals were hoarding the
government paper and there must be some legislation to prevent the banks from
circulating their paper, and it was desirable there should be a public
sentiment in that direction. I do not think he has any sound, well-matured,
comprehensive plan of finance, or correct ideas of money and currency, but he
is quick of apprehension and has mental resources, and is fertile in expedients
not always sound but which have been thus far made available.
SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 1: 1861 – March 30,
1864, p. 530
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