Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1880-03-26
4 MYSTERIOUS BOX.
II Lies Unclaimed and Unopened In the
4 Iatnea1T Treasury ~

IL Lies Unclnlmed ana Unopened III the
4 Treasury at
Correspondepce Chicago Times. March II.
In the vaults Of the treasury depart.
ment there is box which was placed
there over thirty years ago for safe
keeping. No one knows who II belongs
to, or what isto be done with it,. II
has been the subject Of several in
vestigations by officers Of the treasury
department. On various occasions res
elutions have been introduced IN con-
gress making inquiries. etc, AS to its
value and ownership. But no satisfac-
tory conclusion has ever been had as
to It's true history. Its contents are
worth perhaps $1,000 or 5000. The
box remains IN the treasury vaults
tightly sealed and covered with dust.
No one can touch ii unless congress
passes resolution to that effect. Sew
eral United States treasurers who have
found the box in their possession, when
taking charge OF the office, have recon-
mended that the articles be sold Mt auc-
ton andti the proceeds given to some
charitab BILE object or monument associa-
ton. f1ei uar. 5ft
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 were placed in the patent
Office, and alterward placed in the
treasury for safe keeping. Another,
and probably y more correct, history
Of the box il found IN report made by
Secretary McCulloch' in answer TO a res
olution Of the house OF representative
His letter is dated March 10, 1868, and
he says; v 3p.u4 u t6.
In answer to your resolution of tn
9th inst. ,inqpiripg as TO The contents
Of n certain box in the vaults Of the
treasury, sealed with tho seal OF the
patent Office and marked "jewels, an
examination has Just been made,by the
treasurer and . ~. copy Of his re'
port il herewith submitted. II
Is understood that the art-
cles are remnants OF the objects Of an
extensive robbery committed number
OF years sinoc atthe patent office. They
have been i'm the treasury vaults since
1861. ~ can see no reason for retaining
them longer. They certainly subserve
no good purpose III their present con
dition, and respectfully recommend
that they be sold ut auction and the
proceeds covered into the treasury.
Respectfully, otc.,
.4YG HudH McCULLocH,
Secretary OF the Treasury.
SIR: In pursuance to your direction
indorscd upon mn attested resolution OF
OF the house Of representatives, passed
March 6, 1868, have the honor to re-
port that the box in the vaults of the
treasury, sealed with the seal Of the
patent office, and marked "jewels," was
opened by me in the presence of the
cashier. There was found there
memorandum in writing, Of which the
following il n correct copy, to.wit:
A list Of articles in tho box.
Bottle said to contain altar Of roses.
One vial containing pearls.
One vial containing diamonds.
One gold plate-~inside hinge of II
snuff box.
One paper containing gold orna-
ment and silk tassel belonging to
necklace.
A paper containing thirteen diamonds
and four pearls.
lWO luInpn VI kVh.
The vial containing tho pearls and the
one containing tho diamonds are both
sealed and we're not opened. should
Judge that the pearls numbered fromtwo
to three hundred. They are pretty
uniform IN size, being about IA large ma
small pea. except two which are
quite large and pearl formed. The
diamonds nre small and about one hun
dred in number. The two Jumps Of
gold, if Of mint iineness, and they
seem TO be--are worth somewhat over
$500. The altar Of roses is probably
worth twice IA much. The diamonds
and pearls are, Of course, quite valu-
able. Respectfully.
II. II, SPINNER,
Treasurer of the United States.
The box, Of course, is Of no earthly
use to any one. II the contents had
been sold and the proceeds placed on
interest, their value would have more
than doubled itself before this time. Ii
il taken down once a year when the
treasury officials are making All exam
ination of the office. II Is busted,
looked over. and placed back on the
shelf awaiting an owner. There is ~
chance for some Of Andrew Jackson's
heirs to have Nh act passed by congress
giving them title To its valuable con-
tents.