The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1878-03-07
Searching for a Lost Inheritance.

The clerks in the archive-rooms of
the State Department and the Depart
ments of Justice, and outsiders whose
business called them to those rooms.
have been accustomed, during the past
two or three months, to see an old,
gray-haired, handsome gentleman, at
tired in black of somewhat old-fash-
ioned cut, enter those rooms almost
daily. Under permission of the clerk
in charge, and often with the assistance
of some subordinate who is not at the
time otherwise employed, he turns over
and examines old and musty docu-
ments, smelling with the mold of many
years, in search of something, evident
ly of much Importance to him. 1t is
noticeable that everything in the form
of box is subjected to the utmost scru-
tiny by the "Aged Hunter" as the
clerks have dubbed him. He turr over
and handles every document in every
box which he comes across in the old
lumber department, and then replaces
them with another careful examination.
What he is looking for is known to but
a few clerks, who have been inquisitive
enough to make inquiries. The old
gentleman never volunteers any infor-
nation concerning himself, but, when
asked, never refused to tell his story
with good-natured smile, evidently
pleased that any one should be interest
ed in matter which has become, it
might be said, almost the object of his
| life.
The other day, after he had compile
ted two hours fruitless search in the
Department of Justice, he put his coat
on and sat down by one of the tables
for moments rest.
took chair by him and entered in
to general conversation. Bringing
the talk gradually to the object of his
search, finally asked:
"Why are you always searching
among these dirty alcoves, and what
are you hunting for?''
"a box" was the reply.
Noting my surprise and ineredulity,
he hastened to add:
Eyes, box, primarily-for that is
the only direct clue l have in my hunt
but, really, some old papers. If you
have time l will tell you why am hunt
| ing for those papers.
/ replied that would be very glad to
listen to him. After warning me that
he would make somewhat long tale
of it, he began. l repeat what he said
as correctly as it is possible for one to
| remember it:
81 am from Pennsylvania, and my
name is Charles Wickes. l am one of
the twenty living descendants of Capt.
Alexander Wickes, of Revolutionary
fame. We have claim against the
Government which is clearly estab-
lished, but certain papers which form
the only missing chain in the evidence
| of the justness of that claim are miss
ing, and these papers l am searching
for. But to go back and begin at the
beginning The claim is for compen-
sation for services rendered in 1776 and
1777 to the Colonies by Wickes as a
naval Commander. In 1775, before the
Declaration of Independence, he fitted
out vessel of his own at Philadelphia,
manned her and started on a cruise.
Coasting off the Indies he captured an
English vessel with q avaluablecargo, and
successfully brought her into Philadel-
phia through the British blockade. His
energy, youth-being only about twen-
| ty-seven years of age-and successful
privateering commended him to the
Colonial authorities. While the Colo
nies were represented at Paris by Ar
thur Lee, Silas Deane and BENJAMIN
| Franklin, he took his vessel to that
city and received from them authority
to prey upon English commerce, with
directions to send all his prizes to
Nantes. He captured several prizes,
and SO pleased the Colonial representa-
tives by his daring and skill that they
gave him command of assmall squad
ron of three vessels to cruise in high
waters. He divided his force, and BY
cruising on the west coast of Ireland.
| in the Irish Sea and in st. Georges 8
Channel, carried terror to the hearts of
all interested in English commerce.
His prizes he sent, as per instructions,
to Nantes. Their number was fifty.
They were sold there by an agent Of
| the Colonial Government, but neither
Capt. Wickes nor his heirs have
ever received . cent Of the
| prize-money due him. The agent
who sold the vessels was Thomas Nor
| ris, the half-brother Of Robert Morris,
| the great financier Of the Revolution.
| Repeated Representations were made to
Lee, Deane and Franklin that he was
untrustw0rthy, but he was allowed to