M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1856-09-04
From GalignAhi's Messenger, Aug. 81
History OF Russian Crown Dia-

History OF Ausslam crown DAa-
90 mOnds. I5'fa.
The Crown Treasury of the Cars at Mos.
cow,contains precious stones Of considerably
amount The two most considerable are
diamonds, one the size Of pigeons egg rose
cut. The Russians have given it the nams
Of the 0rlOff. The other has the form OF an
irregular prism, and is Of the size and almost
the length ofa little finger; IL bears the mamie
of the Shah, and its history is as follows
II formerly belonged TO the Sophis, and was
one Of two enormous diamonds which oTna-
mented the throne Of Nadir Shah. aud which
were designated By the Persians by the names
of "Sun Of the Sea" and "MOon OF the
Mountains. f" When NadiT was assassinated
his treasures were pillaged, and his precious
stones divided among a few soldiers, whu
carefully concealed them. An Armenian
named Shairas resided at that period at Bus.
soru with his two brothers. One day an
afghan came to him and offered for sale the
large diamond, "The Moon Of the Noun
tain" as we'll as an emerald "a ruby Of fabu.
lous size, a sapphire oil he finest water, cal.
led by the Persians the "Eye OF Allah" and
a number Of other stones, for the whole Of
which be asked such moderate sum that
Shafras suspected that they had not been
honestly come by, aud told him to call again,
as he had not the money in the house.
The Afghan. fearing tina! Shafras was &C.
ing to act with treacheTy toward him, le II
the place and could not Sgain be found, al
though the three brothers made every search
for him. Some years alteTward the elder
brother met the man at Bagdad, who told
him that he had just sold ull his precious
stones for sixty-ive thousand plasters and
pair of valuable horses. Shalras had the res
iLence of the purchaser, who was a Jew,
pointed out 10 him, and he went TO him and
offered him double the price he had given for
them, but was refused. The three brothers
then sgeeed1to murder the Jew and rob him
of his purchase, which they did, and on the
day following poisoned afghan. and threw
their bodies into the river. A dispute soon
alter arose between the brothers as TO the
division Of the spoil, which terminated in
Shafras getting rid Of his two brothers. by
poison, alter which he fed to Constantinople
and thence 10 Holland, where he made known
the riches he possessed, and Offered them for
sale To the different courts Of Europe. Cath
crime II, proposed to buy the Moon Of the
Mountains only. Shalras was requested to 20
TO Russia, and he was introduced 10 the Court
eweIer. The terms demanded by Shalras
were-letters Of nobility, a life annuity ol
ten thousand roubles, and five hundred thou.
sand roubles. payable by equal installments
in ten years. Count Banin, who was then
Minister, delayed the settlement OF the bar
galn as long as possible, and in the near
time had the Armenian led into such extay'
agenCes that he fell into debt. and when thl
Minister found that he had no means of pay
ing what he owed be abruptly broke off tht
negotiation. Shalras, according to the law
oi the country, could not leave until hi
debts should be paid, and the court Jewelel
prepared to take advantage o! his embarrass
lnents and intended that the diamond should
fall Into his hands for fourth of its value
Shafrss, however, discovered the trap tina hat
been laid for him, and, disposing OF some o.
Inc less valuable stones among his country
men, paid his debts and disappeared. Agents
were sent alter him, who had even orders L
ssSasslnate and rob him, but he escaped
them. .a4
/ Ten years after, while hewas at Astrachan
renewed oilers were made to him, but he re.
luSed TO enter into any negotiousn unless the
bargain should be settled at Smyrna, Cath
arlne accepted, and became the possessor O
the diamods for letters to nobility, 900 ,0Ol
rOubles and 10000 paper roubles. makini
together about 1900, 600 francs. Shairas
not being able to return tohis country, ,wher
4 he would have to give an aCcoun
oltwo homicideS and two lrariCides, fiXe
himseltst Astracban, where he married
counIrywOman Of his, and had seven daugh
lers., One Of his sons.in.law poisoned hil
Tor the sake Of possessing his share OF hi
property. The immense fotune which tn
murderer had acquired (from tea to twev
!, millions) was divided and soon spent by hi
successors, and several Of the grandchildreI
ol Shalras are now living at Astrachan il
abjeCt misery.