The Evening critic., 1882-03-06
HEIRLOOMS AND TREASURE
I'm the Treasury Vaulfs-DlGicultie les
I'm the Way of Recovering Captured
PrOperty-The Macrae Case.

Nearly twenty years ago when Gen. Sher-
man made his famous march to the sea, he re-
turned by the way Of South Carolina. Families
residing In that section OF the country, hearing
OF the approaching army, packed their silver
and other valuables, and removed them to
places OF safety. Among those families was
one by the name Of Macrae, which emigrated
to South Carolina from Scotland some years
previous. Their father had been an officer In
the English army, and possessed OF much
wealth. The family inherited from him, and
possessed also in their own right, much valu-
able silverware and Jewels. These consisted
OF tankards, drinking cups, pitchers. spoons,
forks, fruit dishes, knives, watches, diamonds,
&c. Much OF 1t was OF rare and costly work
manship, and, apart from its intrinsic value,
was priced as heirlooms, having descended
through more than one generation.
This property, as well as some belonging to
relatives, was packed ready for removal, but
unfortunately the troops came before Ii was
removed and carried the box of to camp. II
was opened and portion of its contents rided.
Gen. sherman hearing of the valuable nature
OF the box, took possession Of It, and forwarded
1t to the War Department. From there II was
turned over 10 the custody Of the Treasurer of
the United States, and such OF the silver as
bore no name or marks was sold and the
money covered into tho Treasury. The re-
naming portion was placed in the vaults OF
the Treasury, where 1t remained until Thurs
day last About ten years ago Calvin Macrae,
hearing that the property was in Washington,
and acting as attorney for his sister, wrote to
Secretary Boutwell,, asking about it and re
ceived the following reply:
'TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
'ssIay 10, 1872.
"sIR: In reply to your letter of March oath
ultimo, In relation to certain articles OF plate,
iewelry, etc, belonging to you, alleged to bs
In this Department, have to Inform you that
certain property Of that description was re-
ceived from the War Department as captured
property, a portion OF which was sold and the
proceeds covered into the Treasury, as pro-
vided by law, and the remaining portion Will
hn dfSr sTf In tEn CAn ata..
OF the Treasury Is not vested with authority
10 deliver the property or its proceeds when
realized to any claimant. Very respectfully
GEORGE S. BOUTWELL,,
'Secretary OF the Treasury
This letter discouraged the family so much
that they did nothing more in the matter un-
I'll about four years ago, when Senator Butler
succeeded IN getting bill through Congress,
authorizing the Treasurer to return to Calvin
Macrae, an alien-certain articles of silverware
now in his possession.
Thursday morning the old gentleman, now
between 20 and so years of age, called at the
Treasury to recover the long-lost treasure.
The bill, however, expressly stated, certain
articles of silverware," and Mr.. Macrae was
very much disappointed 10 learn that gold
watches, diamond brooches, bracelets, pearl
earrings, cornelian seals and family minia-
tures-encased in gold and ornamented with
briliiants-do not come under the head OF sill
verware. Even the picture of his father, the
sight OF which brought tears to his eyes, must
be returned to the dismal vault to wait for an.
other bill TO wend It's weary way through
Congress to enable him to regain possession OF
1t. Such articles OF silver as were Identified
by him were returned to him. The box when
first packed was valued at 100000