Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1871-01-11
NATIONAL TREASURE TROTE.
What was Pound in the Vaults Of the
Treasury at Washington.

What was Found in the TEultI Of the
Treasury at Washington.
A correspondents Of the Philadelphia
Press describes q sort Of Treasury
house cleaning, in which an immense
quantity Of property, valuable and
otherwise, was unearthed from the
lowest Treasury vaults. Describing
the place the writer says:
Nine locks are concealed in The
solid door, and each more desperate
and secret than the other. Three
men only in the country understand
this wonderful combination, but as iC
is an established fact that no one ever
dies or resigns in the Treasury, there
need be no fear Of anatiOnal calamity.
United States Treasurer Spinner, As
sistant Treasurer Tuttle and Cashier
Wyman are the men designated for
the awful duty. The work Of uncov-
ering the mysteries hidden for IN
numbered years in these dark reeesses
was undertaken recently, and the
first object that saw light was a box
bound with red tape, and bearing the
Waxen seal Of some long defunct Sec
retary Of the Treasury.
When opened the box emitted an
OdOr Of dead roses. The first article
brought to light was a heavy square
bottle, which contained the altar Of
roses. A quantity Of precious huid
had made its escape, but quite enough
remained to perfume the city. There
was no paper to indicate to whom this
I altar OF roses belonged. but tradition
SAYS that some East Indian Prince
sent il to Martin Van Buren, that it
] had once been deposited at the Patent
I ONCE and afterward sent to the Treas
I ury, in the year 1S4s. The next bot
/ tie lifted from the paper wrappings
contained pearls. These were re-
/ markably fine, on account Of shape,
size, and purity OF color. Two Of the
pearls were the largest the writer has
I ever seen They were Oblong in shape,
and must have given color 70 the
fancy Of pearls large as pigeon eggs"
As there was no way OF counting
these jewels, il was judged there
might have been one hundred and
I fifty altogether. The next article was
small vial containing diamonds.
None Of these were large, but they
were very clear and perfect in shape.
/ lt seemed as II they must have once
been part Of some royal necklace
which had been stolen. As is usually
I the case in ealamities Of this kind,
I the detectives only recovered the
smaller stones. There might have
been a thimblefull Of diamonds.
Z Thieves evidently had been al work
with the treasure, for the next article
brought forth was the golden lining
Of a snuff box, but the jeweled cover
and fragrant snuff were missing.
Next came a gold ornament which
I had once held together q pearl neck
/ lace. The silken string and tassel
/ attached to it showed its East Indian
+ origin. This, it appears, was the
article left to show that some Presi-
dent or officer OF the government had
been presented with a pearl necklace
/ It had been placed on exhibition
I somewhere, and thieves made away
with it, but, in order to secure what
was recovered beyond all chances of
future escape, the string and gold
I fastening were laid in the vault. Next
from the prolific mine came q tin box,
in which was found 3 sealed paper
/ containing gems. thirteen small dia-
monds Of the finest water, and four
/ large pearls A small piece Of paper
! il the box had written upon it this
I interesting BIT of Information ::
''Thess jewels had originally been
! presented to Martin Van Buren, but
/ had been stolen from q case in the
I Patent Office on the night OF NOvenl-
[ berS, 1S4S." These unfortunate gems
( contain a most useful lesson II Mis-
tnezsAzan RItran had -uCnrn her 4arels
I instead Of placing them where thieves
| break in and steal away, she would
I have set an illustrious example, and
I the country would have been no poor
er than it is to-day.
/ The contents Of the first box dis
/ posed of, a second disclosed q careful
| deposit Of counterfeit dies and coins,
with dates Of 1871 on the wrappers ;
I another package presented the spOils
of national attorneys won inthe cases
/ in which the United States were in
I volved-dated as far back as lS5j.
I The packages in these boxes were
um6ered regularly and consisted
mainly OF state bonds, government
/ bonds, rebel bonds, treasury records,
and rubbish Of the sort. Package
I No. 8, however, varied from this dOCu-
mentary monotOny. In il were found
: the sad relics OF one Edward French,
a defaulting treasury clerk, who ran
away in 1859. Package No. IA con-
I tanned $3.50, being notes that were
stolen from Lieutenant James Braun
augh in the battle Of Pittsburgh
I Landing, and forwarded to the treas
ury for payment. Deposited by the
I treasurer Of the United States, Oc-
tOber %, 1856 Package No. 10 con-
: tanned S14, 500 in Virginia state bonds,
7 deposited by the Secretary Of the
I Treasury as captured property from a
I person formerly acting as an officer
Of the late sO-called COnfederacy.
Dated FEBRUARY l6, 1867.
Secretary Boutwell, has the control
and is responsible for this hidden
treasure, and Washington is asking
anxiOusly Just now, 'What viii he
do with it 2'