value, not only of domestic, but also of foreign coin, in the general government, is readily seen. Instead of twenty-four or more different currencies, liable to be changed by twentyfour or more different governments, and thus perplexing and embarrassing the people, we have one simple currency, liable to be changed by only one government. It is plainly proper that the same government which is authorized to borrow money by granting certificates of stock, or public securities as they are termed, and to coin money, should also be authorized to provide against these securities and coin being counterfeited.

What terms are used to designate the peculiar coin of the United States? Ans. Federal money. Why was it called Federal money? Ans. Because it was the money of the Federal government or confederation. Whence is the term Federal derived? Ans. From the Latin word fœdus, signifying a league. Why was it applied to the government of the United States? Ans. Because it was the government of states united by a fœdus or league. What is meant by fixing the standard of weights and measures? Ans. In order to ascertain the weight or measure of any thing,

there must be some fixed weight or measure generally understood, with which it can be compared. In measuring cloth, for instance, we compare it with a measure called a yard; in measuring grain, we compare the quantity of grain with a measure called a bushel. Determining what this weight or measure used in making the comparison shall be, is fixing the standard of weights and measures. Has congress ever exercised this power? Ans. as congress has not made any law on the subject, the state governments now have the entire control of the matter.

No,

Remark. The object of granting this power to congress was similar to that of vesting in them the coining and regulation of the currency. The inconvenience, however, resulting from a want of uniformity in this respect, can never be so great as in the case of the coin.

What is the origin of the term post-office? Ans. It is derived from two Latin words, positi, placed, and officina, an office. Why was the term applied to the arrangements for the transportation of the mail? Ans. In the Roman empire horses were positi, posted or placed at convenient distances on the public roads for the use of the couriers. From this

circumstance the word post, in the present application, was derived. What provision has been made by congress for the establishment of post-offices? Ans. They have by law established the office of post-master general who is appointed by the president and has the authority to appoint post-masters throughout the United States, and to make contracts for

What is the

Ans.

It is derived

the transportation of the mail. origin of the word mail?

from the French word malle, a leathern bag It was used in the present applica

or trunk.

tion because letters and papers were conveyed in such a bag. How many post-offices are there at present in the United States?

About 8000.

Remark.

Ans.

In 1790, the year after the adoption of the constitution, the number of postoffices was only 75.

How is the post-master general paid? Ans. He and his assistants in the general postoffice receive a salary from the treasury department, fixed by law of congress. How are the deputy post-masters paid? Ans. They receive a certain proportion of the whole amount which is paid for postages at their offi

ces.

Remark. It is not difficult to perceive the immense advantage which one post-office department acting with uniformity and regularity throughout all parts of the United States, must have over any arrangement which would probably be made by the individual states. If each one was left to make its own arrangements, we might have twenty-four different offices, without any well established concert in their plans, and be obliged to pay in each state a different rate of postage. The arrangement of the mails in the states of Germany being under the control of the individual states, has been a source of much embarrassment and perplexity. By reflecting on the probable consequences of leaving the regulation of postoffices in the hands of the states, we shall be able to appreciate one of the great advantages of our union.

What is the law by which congress have secured to authors the exclusive right to their writings? Ans. Ans. Authors who are citizens of the United States or resident therein, by complying with certain conditions, may have secured to them the exclusive right to their writings for the period of twenty-eight years. The conditions are the following: before the

publication of the book, a printed copy of the title must be deposited in the office of the clerk of the court for the district in which the author or proprietor resides. The clerk's certificate of entry must be inserted on the title page, or the page next following, of every edition of the book. Within three months after the publication, a copy of the book must be delivered to the clerk of the district court. It is the clerk's duty to record the title of the book, and once a year to transmit a certified list of the books entered in his office to the Secretary of State for the United States. At the expiration of the twenty-eight years, the copy right may be renewed for fourteen years more, if the proprietor,* or his widow, or children, or any of them be living. It is necessary, however, to enter the book anew within six months before the expiration of the twenty-eight years, and within two months from the date of the renewal, to publish a copy of the record in some public newspaper for four weeks.

Remarks. The authors of maps, charts, prints, &c. are included in the provisions of this act. In England copy rights are granted

*The proprietor must in this case be still a citizen of the United States, or resident therein.