The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1885-07-30
HISTORICAL RELICS.
Some Of Thosc On View at the State De-
partncns-

Though visitors seldom enter it. the
,brary of the State Department con-
.iins some Of the most valuable historic
.elics in tho possession of the Govern
mont Here is kept the original draft
# the Declaration of independence,
and there has been added within the
:'ast few years the identical desk upon
which Jeffe rson wrote it. Jefferson's
desk is a small mahogany box-like
writing-desk, about eighteen inches
vide, two feet long, and three inches
lhick. One might easily take it on his
zap to use it, but it was probably laid
'ipon the table while the Declaration
was penned upon it. 1t has series of
small compartments, on one side for
lens and writing material, and when
opened its top is covered with green
;,aize. Pasted upon one of its inner
leaves is a note IN Jeffeison' own hand
writing, dated in Monticello, in which
ie says the desk was made by Phila-
slelphia carpenter, and that it was the
one on which he wrote the Declaration.
This note closes with the following SEN
tcnce: politics as well as religion has
its superstitions; these, gaining strength
With time, may one day give imaginary
value to this relic for its associations
With the birth of the great charter Of
cur independence"
In the same case containing this desk,
ea the shelf above it, lie the staff of
,ssnjamin Franklin and the swords of
>ashington and jackson. Benjamin
:'ranklin's cane is a thick, gold-headed
lick, Of knotted crab tree. It Ia
.:ainted black, highly polished, and on
is end it has a brass ferule. Its head
IS designed. as says Je ferson's will, in
lie form of cap Of liberty, and its
gold is very yellow and shows but little
alloy. This cane supported Franklin
Curing all state occasions. and when he
Lied he willed it to Washington. saying.
= II it were a scepter. General Wash
iagton has Iierited it. and would be-
come it." Washington wilIed it to his
eephew, Charles Washington, and the
grandson of Charles Washington gave
Il to the United States.
George WashiEgton's sword, shown
here, is the one which he wore when q
Colonel, and the one that hung st his
,;de throughout the Revolution. It is
rot q flashy article, and there is no gilt
F, r or gold about it, but its edge looks
cry sharp, and its blade, slightly tar
ished, not over an inch wide, was evi-
.:ently made to do good service. Its
meath and belt lie beside it. This belt
- Of yellow huckskin, the plain silver
t.asp of which il marked with the let
:crs sc. W." and the sheath is of 8
G:ark leather stamped with different
i;gures. George Washington mentions
i.is sword in his will, in which he gives
,.le to each Of his nephcws. with the
quest that s'they be not unsheathed,
-cept for self defense, and the defense
,.f their country and its rights" An
rev Jackson's sword is very ex-
ansire article 1t will weigh twice
lat of Washington's. and 1t has a |
,avy gold handle, and its sheath is Of
Did and steel. Its wide blade. slightly |
3arving. shines like mirror. and at
40 middle it shows evidences of having |
= en- broken in tive, and welded to-
;ther again. Its sheath is somewhat |
ratcned, and it has evidently been
-etty well used.
Another curiosity in this room Is sn
immense shell or torpedo from six to
: ght inches in diameter, and over .
(. .ot long, which Elihu Washburnc, our
...inister at Paris, picked up during the
cmbardment of Paris aud sent to the
ate Department as relic. 1t is a
,aurderous-looking shell, and its de-
: ription says that it was thrown into
.se city during the siege. Just below
lis, in box about two feet wide, and
asree feet long, is plaster cast of one
=. the first treaties on record. 1t is a
opy of the treaty between the Athe-
:: ans and Chaicideans, made 446 years
.oforo Christ. when Socrates was %
.ars old, and Pericles was in his
.rime. The original of this was en-
raved oa slab of Pcntalic marble,
,und in the south wall of the Acropolis
.g Athens. CGeUcLaaad Leader.