The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1880-04-08
A MYSTERIOUS BOX.
It Lies Unclaimed and Unopened
in the Treasury.
Boston Globe.

in the Treasury.
Boston Globe.
In the vaults of the u. s. tresury
department, says a correspondent,
there is a box which was placed
there over thirty years ago for safe
keeping. No one knows who it be
| longs to or what is to be done with
it. 1t has been the subject of sew
eral Investigations by officers of
the treasury department. On varl
Gus occasions resolutions have been
introduced in congress making in
quiries, etc, as TO its value and
ownership But no satisfactory
conclusion has ever been had as to
its true history. Its contents are
worth, perhaps, $4,000 or 100000.
The box remains in the tre~eur:y
vaults, tightly sealed and covered
with dust. No one can touch it
unless congress passes a resolution
to that effect. Several United
States ureAsurers who have found
the box in their possession, when
taking charge of the office, have
recommended that the articles be
sold at auction and the proceeds
given to some charitable object or
monument association.
There are several stories told as
to the origin of the box. One is
that the contents were a present to
President Andrew Jackson from
the khedive of Egypt, and we're
placed in the patent office, and af-
forwards placed in the treasury for
safe-keeping. Another, and proba-
bly, more correct history of the
box is found in report made by
Secretary McCulloch in answer TO
a resolution of the house of repre-
sentatives. His letter is dated
March 10, 1868, and he says:
In answer to your resolution of
the 9th inst. inquiring as to the
contents of a certain box in the
vaults of. the treasury, sealed wit h
the seal of the patent office, aud
marked 'Jewels," an examination
has been made by the treasurer, and
a copy of his report Is herewith
submitted. 1t is understood that
the articles are remnants of the OBJ
jects of an extensive robbery com
mitted a number of years since at
the patent office. They have been
in the treasury vaults since 1851.
/ can see no reason for retaining
them longer. They certainly sub
serve no good purpose in their pres
ent condition, and 1 respectfully re-
commend that they be sold at auc-
ton, and the proceeds covered into
the treasury.
Respectfully, etc.
HUGH MCCULLoCH.
Secretary of the Treasury.
SIR: In pursuance to your direc
tion Endorsed upon an attested res
olution of the house of representa-
tives, passed March 6. 1868, l have
the honor to report that the boz in
the vaults of the treasury, sealed
with the seal of the patent Office,
and marked 'Jcwels," was opened
by me in the presence of the cash
Ter. There was found there a
memorandum in writing, of which
the following is correct copy, to
wit:
A list Of articles in the box.
Bottle said to contain altar of
roses.
One vial containing pearls.
One vial containing diamonds.
One gold plate-inside hinge of
a snuff box,
One paper containing a gold or
nament and a silk tassel Belonging
to a necklace.
A paper containing thirteen dia-
monds and four pearls.
Two Jumps of gold.
The vial containing pearls and
the one containing the diamonds
are both sealed and were not open
ed. / should judge that the pearls
numbered from 200 to 800. They
sre pretty uniform in size, being
about the size of a small pea, ex
cept two, which are quite laIge and
pearl-formed. The diamonds are
small and about 100 IN number.
The two Jumps of gold if of mint
fineness-and they seem to be-are
worth somewhat over $500. The
altar of roses is probably worth
twice as much. The diamonds and
pearls are of course quite valuable.
Respectfully.
Z. Z. SPINNER.
Treasurer,of the United States.
The box of course is of no earth
ly use to any one. If the contents
had been sold and the proceeds
placed on interest, their value would
have more than doubled itself be
fore this time. 1t is taken down
once a year when the treasury Off
Gals are on examination of the
office. 1t is busted, looked over,
and placed back on the shelf, await
inc An owner. There is a chance