Mexico Missouri Message

BEWARE OF TORN PAPER MONEY.

In the hands of John Doe or of Richard Roe any mutilated note of legal tender in the United States is redeemable at its face value, provided a clear three-fifths of its physical surface be presented at the redemption window of the United States treasury department.

Doe or Roe may have to submit to a little questioning, perhaps, as to how he got it or how the accident happened, lopping off that other two-fifths. But if he doesn't stammer and choke, or attempt a clean cut for it, he'll get the full value of the mutilated bill.

By inference, then, neither Roe nor Doe may expect anything doing if he shall present less than the prescribed three-fifths of the piece of currency. But the national government, still liberally disposed toward Roe and Doe, will accept a fragment that may be less than three-fifths, but clearly more than two-fifths of the original note, paying just half the value of the original bill, however, as penalty for the accident.

In the case of James Brown Smith, Esq., known and respected in his home city, he may recover the full value of his note that is under two-fifths measure, provided he will appear before an officer of the law qualified to administer oaths and make affidavit as to time, manner, and place in which the mutilation was accomplished. This affidavit will be attested by the official seal of the officer, who also must be prepared to attest in like manner the good character of the affiant. Except in the above instances, insufficient portions of a note or notes are returned to the persons presenting them for redemption. Paper currency which has been destroyed, totally, is not redeemable under any circumstances.