Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-04-19
Secretary Of the Treasury.
Treasury OF THE U. STATES,

April 8, 1898.
tea yesterday requesting TO report you such
are within my knowledge and that of the clerks and mes
senger in my office, attending the late confagraon
the treasury building and OF exerons and the ex-
erons OF others, for the preservation the public pro-
perry including the records and papers; part of such
as belong to this office have been destroyed, and what
saved; and lastly TO offer any explanations the accident
may be able to Afford and suggest such means as
tend TO greater safety in future.
Although the of my Office, on the first floor and
In the garrett were remote from the point where the fire
Is supposed to have originated and in fact the last TO
be assaiied by it, the situation in which they were left on
Saturday, is, presume, with the scope of your nqu
ries These rooms the three the north east
section OF the building, the first floor and communicated
with each other by inner DOORS the south east
room in the garrett The latter used place of de-
post Tor books and papers connected with the
business was keptlocked and had not been opened
time The three first described were occupied by
myself and clerks.
On Saturday, the day having been mild the fires were
all moderate and had sunk low left the office about ha
past O'Clock, and the Clerks generally from about 10
4; when the Messenger, usual took charge of the Of
nee The Messenger then fastened the windows secured
what tle hre remained, and took all the usual precau
ons Tor The safety OF the Office and then locked doors
oil two OF the rooms the inside, passing out of the
hrd locked the door OF HAT the outside, placed
the key in the Wachmans room.
AS soon as was alarmed by the FIRE next morning
dressed myself hastily and possible to
the Treasury calling by Mr.. washiugons, the Chief
upstairs about the centre of the building and TO the
OF the centre, but il evidently progressing rapidly
therefoe gave such directions and made such efforts for
e preservation OF the records papers, furniture Sc as
i thought most iudcious.
MIR. Washington and MIR. Moore, the Messenger, fol.
lowed soon after, and exered themselves in the same
Er' Dashiel and Mr. Forrest arrived somewhat later
Mr. Jackson not at the fire. he resides at distance of
or squares aud he did hear of it till or O'Clock
Mr. Smith was sick in bed
The eXerions made by some of the persons after rv ar
rival on tho ground TO the property were very
and as successful think, could have been expected
vi ths iact the large quantity of papers, documents
Tho
short time after the fire discovered that il could he
entered o TINS purpose, is the best evidence In partic
lar observed 10 or dozen persons in the Controllers
apartments in the second story who continued actively en-
poyed after their situation became dangerous and who
did not descend the ladder placed against one OF the
"lhdows Ior them, until repeatedly admonished by the
crowd below, and until the fire from the roof and garrett
had hegun TO TALL in about hem.-The names of all of
these persons, have not learned or Il, would give me
much pleasure to mention them Two of them were the
younger sons OF Mr. Dickens the Chief Clerk of your De-
partment.
All the articles, the records, papers, furniture &c in
my lower rooms were removed time before the fire
reached them Those in the garrett room were eniitev
destroyed he lower containing all the papers
maj relate to the transactions of the office since LIST June
1879, and the records OF the Treasurers quarterly ac-
counts Tor several years prior that time and the records
OF payments into the Treasury by Collectors end receivers
OF pubic money since 1916 The room in The garrett
contained all the books papers relating to the trsnsac
mons OF the Office to LIST june 1929, with the exceptions
just stated.
As in the morning of the fire. as il was sufficient
W hight the persons connected with this Office EMPLOYED
themselves i'm collecting the furniture books &c that had
III me confusion been removed TO different places which
were soon afterwards removed to my dwelling house for
safety On Monday, they removed 10 tie building
now occupied and on Tuesday the business of the Office
-coinmenced.-Although Of the furniture below
was destroyed by the fire. it has of been Injured in
the different removals. and articles are missing All
the records described being 10 the lower rooms are safe
ana are now arranged in order for use and all the papers
with but few inconsdcrable exceptions.
In regard to the origin Of the fire. can offer no conec
sure; but Tor the future, il should think prove lasting
warning to the Government to trust its public archives and
documents IN no building that is perfectly fire proof
anu 20 ADOPT every other precauon that may be practca
ole by the organization OF efficient night watch and
Otherwise, Tor their protection Much Inconvenience viii
doubtless arise from the loss Of the papers that have been
destroyed but had The fire originated in one of the lower
rooms and made such progress before discovery as 10 in
volve the destruction Of accounts and records in he lower
ss wen as The upper rooms, the Inconvenience resulting
from the loss, would have been ncalcuiable
have the honor to be, very respectfully sir vour
oOeWen' servant JOHN CAMPBELL,
-, ITeasuTer United States.
Secretary NJ me Treasury