Clause 6.—Punishment of Counterfeiting.
To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securities and current coin of the United States.
This is "an indispensable appendage" of the power granted in the preceding clause, that of coining money.
To discourage counterfeiting, the "securities" are engraved with rare skill and upon peculiar paper. The penalties for counterfeiting are printed on the back of some of the "greenbacks."
Under "securities" are included bonds, coupons, national currency, "greenbacks," revenue and postage stamps, and all other representatives of value issued under any act of congress.
Clause 7.—Postoffices.
To establish postoffices[1] and post roads.[2]
[1] The beneficence and usefulness of the postoffice every one can appreciate; it ministers to the comfort of all, rich and poor.
Placing the management of the postoffices with the general government secures greater efficiency and economy than would be possible if it were vested in the states.
[2] Congress generally uses roads already in existence. These are regularly selected, however, and declared to be post roads before they are used as such. The "road" may be a waterway.