Abraham Lincoln actually said...

Such a currency can be furnished by banking associations, organized under a general act of Congress.

I think it my duty to express my sincere regret that it has been found necessary to authorize so large an additional issue of United States ...

In order to raise money by way of loans most easily and cheaply, it is clearly necessary to give every possible support to the public credit...

That Congress has power to regulate the currency of the country can hardly admit of doubt.