Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-12-27
inquiry has been made OF counsel here.
first as to the existence Of the estate
and then as to the chance Of its recov-

cry. i am told BY reputable s0licitorS
that not one claim in q thousand Of all
those referred to them by the Legation
had any validity whatever, and very
few, during their long experience OF
claims from America, have been sue
cessful."
The paper is long one. and the sub.
Ject is treated extensively.
Mr.. White says the archives Of the
Legation show that a considerable pro-
portion Of its foreign correspondence is
composed Of letters upon this subject.
Mr.. White describes the result Of in
quiries relating to the "Jennens estate. y"
to which there were many American
claimants, showing that the property
went to heirs-at-law long before the
American claimants were ever heard Of.
and that the latter never had a shadow
Of title to it. Moreover, had the title
once been good one. it would long
since have become worthless BY the
operation of the statute Of limitations.
ANY attempts, therefore," con-
tinues Mr.. White, "to recover real es-
tates from the Crown or individuals
after lapse of twelve years (which
may be extended to thirty under GER
tain circumstances, and personal pro-
perty after lapse of twenty years.
however valid the claim OF persons
making the attempts may have been
originally, is certain to end failure.
All members, consequently, Of the
'Jennens Association of the United
States of America, may rest assured
that their subscriptions are simply
money thrown away. if the object be
the recovery Of the Jennens estate. Re-
Gently letter was received from
member of the aforesaid Jennens As
ISOLATION who had just been notified
that a general assessment of S. had
been levied for the end Of the year end
ing June 30, 1884, and who before
paying the same inquired whether the
Legation could furnish any information
regarding the Jenaens estate said to
be pending before the Court Of Chan
Gerry in England.
The letter inclosed sundry interesting
documents emanating from the ASso-
citation, one Of which stated that the
Finance Committee are fully satisfied
with our agents progress in the case ~
and further on that it becomes neces-
sary for each and every member of this
Association to respond with cash as
literally as their means will afford to
carry our case to a final issue, which
we have every reason to believe will be
successful, provided the funds be
furnished" Similar to this case are
"the Hedges estate the " Bradford
estate" " the Hyde estate "the
Horn estate" and many others which
are described as among ordinary
myths, by which so MANY Of our
countrymen have been beguiled.'
With regard to large sums supposed
to be awaiting American claimants IN
the Bank of England, White quotes
from a letter written by the chief ac-
countant Of that institution, as follows :
There are no large amounts of un-
claimed stock or dividends standing in
our bonds. Speaking generally, with
out having made an exhaustive research,
which would involve some considerable
labor. there are very few amounts of
Gl000, and probably none that exceed
this sum by more than 600 or GOO"
And in regard to the fabulous fortunes
locked up in chancery, he says - To
Judge from letters received at this Lega-
ton from the United States in reference
to the unclaimed funds in chancery.
many Of our countrymen must imagine
that institution TO be depository Of
incalculable millions, a goodly share OF
which can be easily withdrawn upon
the mere institution Of a claim to
the same By the American Min
lister and without requirement by the
court ofany particulars as to the name Of
the suit, the relationship OF the claim
ant to the parties mentioned therein. or
to the original owners OF the estate
claimed. 1t is very rarely that in any
communication sent US on this subject
smaller sum is mentioned than
several millions and frequently
our correspondents state that they are
entitled to twenty, fifty, and even more
millions. 1t will doubtless cause sur
prise and disappointment to such as
these to be informed that the whole
amount of money in the custody Of the
Court of Chancery at the present time
is about $4,000, 600, Of which GS3,.
100000 belong to owners who are
known, leaving only about one million
only of unclaimedsor dormant funds