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

within my knowledge. and that OF the Clerks and
Messengers in my Office OF the circumstances attending
the late conagraton Of the Treasury building aud of the
exerons and means employed by myself and officers and
Others for the OF the public property ncu
ding the records and papers, and that should also sate
generally, the nature and description Of the and
papers belonging 10 my Office, what portion OF them is
destroyed and what portion saved, Including the proper
ty, and 10 add such explanation of the accident as
might be able TO aiord aud suggest such might
tend to greater safety in future, have state, that
nave no knowledge, has any of my Clerks Mes
sengers any knowledge Of the circumstances attending
the lire alluded to; that did not hear of it until after day
hight aud after repaired to the lot the South side of
the building, where | found my Clerks and Mes
sengers busily employed in selecting and securing
that from the reports of the Clerks TO me- all the
books containing the correspondence revenue ques-
tons from the commencement OF the Government T.,
the 18th February, 1888, together with two digests
oil the decisions those questions up TO the year
ISIS, Letter book No 30I TO which period they have
been completed, have been saved that the whole of the
Loan Office letter books have been saved that the regis
tiers oil the accounts acted upon passed by me- as well
as me records oil warrants issued under appropriations for
the civil military and naval departments, and the other
record books and documents generally, have been found
and that has yet been discovered that there are any
books or documents OF any Importance belonging to my
Office, nor that any accounts received in from the Audi
tors Tor revision aud my final decision thereon are missing
with respect TO the means which may TO greater
safety in future have observe, that il appears to- me
II would be the most advisable course that any ne build
ing which may be erected be made completely fre proof
throughout every part Of il that vgilant superintendent,
oe appointed win suitable persons under him
watchmen, ard il deemed expedieut to have a regular
night guard Outside the building
have the honor to be- with great respect, your most
obedien servant, JOS. ANDERSON, COMPTROLLER
Hon. LOUIS MLANE, Secretary of the Treasure.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT
auditors Office, apriL 10, 1888.
SIR:I have had the honor to receive your letter OF
the 4th inst, requesting report such facts and cir.
cumsiances as may be within my knowledge or tina,
OF me clerks ana messenger in my Office, in relation
bui a.
ing.
In reply, have to state, that had no knowledge
whatever OF the occurrence until the morning after il
took place The moment informed of it, repaired
TO the of disaster and confusion and had the conso-
lation TO learn; that by the attention exerons of nv
Chief Clerk, Messenger and Others every thing in nv
ohce had been removed. Since then have all been
asduousy engaged in separating collecting from the
general mass such articles found belong us
ana have now the satisfaction to say that all the books
record and unsettled accounts; all the desks tables
chairs and thus removed been with but little
damage TO the furniture recovered and arc in course
arrangement. Some papers of minor Importance such a.
Congressional Documents, old boter statements letters
&c although daily coming in may be, and believe are
still missing: but the reorganization OF the Office is so fa
completed TO enable go on with its appropriate d
ties in the usual manner
cannot undertake TO give any satisfactory explanation
oil the accident; but incline believe that the cause of
most probably some defect i'm The chimneI
| oil the room in which it originated Presenting that
new edhce must be necessarily ere cted for the accom-
mediation OF the Department, take the liberty sugges
that, with view TO prevent the recurrence of sima
misfortune should in all lis parts, be made perfectly fir
proof; and until this be accomplished, the arrangement
now in operation making il the special duty the respec
tive messengers TO keep charge their offices until
lieved in the evening by military guard seems yer,
proper TO which might be added if Judged expeden the
appointment OF person properly qualified supernten,
the whole
With great respect, have the honor 10 remain sir
your obedlent servant, II. HARRISON.
The Hon. LOUIS M'LANE,
! Secretary Of the Treasury.