The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1869-06-02
WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, D. c., May 2

80
large wooden boxes, said to contain
yaluables, turred over by the War
Department for safe keeping. These
boxes have since lain in the vaults OF
the Treasury, hut were to-day opened
through the efforts of a United States
Senator, some of whose constituents
were supposed to be interested. A
committee composed of officers of the
War and Treasury Departments wit
messed the carrying out of the joint
order of the two Departments. The
boxes were found to contain exceed
ingly valuable invoices of diamonds,
pearls, necklaces, watches, a rings,
brooches, rings, chains, seals, and all
manner of rare and expensive jewelry
to the value of many thousands of dol
lars. The most valuable property,
however, which the boxes contained,
was a very large amount of solid silver
ware, consisting of pitchers, s%alvers,
spoons, knives, urns, cups and all
kinds of plates, some of which was
Thought to have been more than a
hundred years old. One of the boxes
contained some very rich wearing APP
iparel for ladies-silks, velvets, laces,
&e.-besides an incredible amount of
Confederate Notes and bonds, and
notes of State banks. There was also
a small amount of specie, both gold
and silver. The boxes were about the
size of ordinary dry goods boxes, and
the value of their contents Is v%ariously
estimated at from 500, 900 to 500,
600. Many of the articles contained
the family crests, initials or mono
grams of the owners, and all were OF
the finest and most costly description.
The boxes were sent by the Provost
Marshal General of the Army of the
Tennessee to the War Department in
this city, and Secretary Stanton turn
ed them over to Treasurer Spinner,
subject to future action. The valua-
bles are supposed to have been taken
possession of by General Sherman's
men in Georgia and other States,
where tEey had been abandoned by
the fleeing inhabitants. In some cas-
es they were taken from banks which
had ceased to do business upon the ap-
proach of the Federal army. The of
icers Of both departments are uncer-
tain of their duty in the matter of the
of the property. Some
hold hat it should be returned under
proper restrictions and proof to the
owners, If they can be found. Others
the articles belong to the Gov
eminent under the laws of Congress,
and that they should be sold and the
proceeds covered in the Treasury,
while still others affirm that neither
he War nor the Treasury Depart
nent las any authority in the prem
and that q special HctR Congress
should be called for. Nothing has yet
been done and the valuables are re-
to the vaults of the Treasury,
CONFEDERATION DAY. /
Great preparations are being made
for the ceremonies of decorating the
graves at Arlington to-mor-
-ow. The White House, all of the
Departments, the banks, and most of
he places of business in that city will
oe closed, and nearly all of the high
viii be present, including the
President and members of the Cab
net. II
PRINTING OF NATIONAL CURRENCY. {
The preparations for printing the l
National currency by the Bank Note
in New York have been
ompleted. and it is found that it can s
done better, at less expense, and I
afer than in the Treasury. The fms
touches to the notes, however, (
viii be given here, so as to destroy all I
'ossibility of numbering aud counter '
them. The Government alsod S
furnishes the prepared paper, and rel +
Euires every sheets be accounted fora I
y accompanies IN New York. This {
Iaper contains the silk and water line
mark. t
GENTILEs FROM UTAH. !
Adelegation of Gentiles is here from I
Utah asking the more general survey t
nd sale of the public lands in that {
territory of which Brigham Young
laims to be sovereign owner. COM =,
ress commenced making appropria- :
ions for the survey Of the public :
ands in Utah In 1855, and since 1851;
he Territory has been made a sur- :
district instead of being an ap-1a
,endage to the Colorado District. The :
3entiles learn that thus far only the :
Saints have. been able to purchase !
and, and they have to be tenants at
I'll. /,
--FHE INDIAN COMMISSION :
Has passed resolutions declaring it I
for its members to recon- {
mend persons for appointment in the ,
Department. Messrs. Stew 6
Farwell, Dodge and Campbell 1
we're appointed a committee to coop
rate with the Government officers in |
he purchase of goods and supplies for 9
he Department. (,
The Board resolved to divide into +
hree Commissions for the purpose of
the Indians, viz: Northwest |
Divislon-Welsh, Farwell and $
Teby. Western Division-Campbell
and Hill. Southern DiYision i
-Brunot, Bishop and Dodge. is
THE NEXT CENSUS. i
General Garfield, as a sub-commit-
ee on the next census, arrived to-day. t
The committee will be m session sew a
raj weeks preparing forms for the a
census, which will include min O
ng and the condition of freedmen in a
with industries, acreage e
crops. The bill and tables will b
ready for Congress soon after the n
commencement of next session. e