Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-04-19
TREAsuRr DEPARTMENT.

tn,
SIR; In compliance with your letter of the 4th inst
submit the following Report:
As far as have been able collect opinions upon the
SUBJECT oil the late conagraion OF the Treasury building
itseems that the fire discovered between half past
two, and three o'clock, Sunday morning. and al that
time was confined to part Of the north front OF the second
story.
The great OF combustble material, composing the
building and with which the rooms Were filed caused
the fire TO be rapid in progress and formidable against
all the efforts O arrest it,
Such was the imperfect organization of the fire compa-
MES, the deficiency in the supply OF water and want of
concert in the movements OF the persons present. was
immediately discovered that the total destruction of the
building was inevitable.
Every effort then directed to the rescue of the
books, papers, furniture, &c. To the great commen
dabe eSerons Of the Clerks attached to this office aided
by many the citizens we indebted for The oravin
result in the aud security Of the Important
papers, &c. belonging TO this office.
The records and papers belonging this Office relate in
general TO the and Expenditure Of the govern
ment to the public debt, and to the tonnage commerce
and navigation of the United States Under the first head
may DE stated The books reports statements and abstracts
OF duties arising from IMPORTS the proceeds OF public
lands, and all other incidental receipts The cords con-
nected with this division preserved; also all the re-
ports and statements and the abstracts, connected with
The revenue accounts settled subsequently 10 the year
1925; these are partially, aud will in short Tins
be fully arranged in one of the fire proof rooms
The vouchers TO the internal accountants and the
accounts settled by the War and Navy Departments
prior to 1877, being in the garrett lost. II be-
ieved that these but OF little value and that no
abstracts connected with The Post Office accounts prior to
the ist July, 1873 were mostly DESTROYED. They were
in large boxes placed in the cellar. No effort was made
Tor their removal, until the valuable papers were
placed out Of danger then found late TO effect
The removal oil more than few boxes But very small
inconvenience can attend the loss of these papers The
record OF the expenditures exhibit the payments made
under each specific head of the
departments and for expenditures OF civil diplomatic or
miscellaneous character personal opened in
the books, and the statements and vouchers upon set
Element filed in this office. These records including the
Day books from the OF the present 90
vernment, and il is confidently believed every account
amounting oupwards OF 40 900 preserved-they have
not yet been fully arranged All the revolutionary re-
cords which were in the Treasury before the fire. are also
preserved.
The stock records including the receipts for dividends of
interest and principal taken at the Treasury Loan Of
hoes Subsequently 10 the year 1874 with the of
several small parcels which were filed in the garrett have
been saved also, the records OF the tonnage commerce
and navigation for the last twelve years.
The office furniture, with the exception of fixtures is
almost entirely saved, and but little injured In the store
room oil the garrett had lately been placed number OF
blanks, for ship registers and lists of recently pre-
pared for the OF the collectors of the customs: these
were lost with quantity OF paper worth about dollars
We have satisfactory believe that the contents
oil all the rooms that were occupied for the transaction of
me business oil this Office, have been saved The loss will
! be confined TO the garnet, and the cellar, which were
merely places OF deposits for the papers OF the value
The most assiduous eXertons making 10 assert
and arrange the papers in their appropriate order
Considering the great magnitude and value of the off,
ca and papers IN this ofce it is of much
graduation that they have been saved and that
we can anticipate no serious public detrimen from loss
OF those consumed.
We dIe dSdiH duHonsneu Dy tne late destructive FIRE
oil the insecurity OF such buildings used here
Tor the preservation of the valuable records books
| papers, &c belonging to the government. So much
OF the public and individual interest involved in the en-
tire security OF documents records other evidences Of
government transactions that they should placed as far
beyond the reach OF casualty practicable To this
desirable object there is but eectua plan and that is
to have substantial fire proof buildings the advantage of
such buildings is universally admitted The resources Of
the government will amply justify the expense, and
the economy OF public treasure will be ultimately obtain
| ed by il.
beg leave here to suggest plan for the better secur
ty oil the public buildings in this city BY late decision
OF the courts OF this district the clerks the public off,
ces are declared to be exempt from militia duty There
are several hundred clerks in the various Offices here
would suggest that plan be devised for
as many hre and hose companies be formed from
this maeria exempng such of the clerks as are too far
advanced in age to be Efficient and that they be provided
and disciplined after the system of similar companies in
Philadelphia and New York.
Such an organization would afford, within its own
means, great public security, and that esprit corps
which marks such companies in large cities in the
cause OF humanity and for the private pro-
perry would il is presumed, be found with the public Of
! fcers in this District.
! have the honor TO DO, Sir, your obedient servant
I. l.. SMITH, Register
! Hon. LOUIS -M'LANE; Secretary of the Treasury.
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