The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-07-28
.0IT SPOILS OF THE WAR
INST OF PROPERTY VALUED AT
S3O,OOO,OOO.


c,.-,s Butlt for tho Confederacy and
r,naIly Turned Over by Their Com
ronders to the British Government
penresent e Considerable Portion of
me sum - Littlepaige's Investiga-
ton.
WASHINGTON, July 27.-In response to
the senate resolution calling upon him for
The evidence in the treasury department re-
i,+ing to property Of the United States, or
:, which the United States has a valid
csin which is held in adverse possession
tbs Sscre aly of the treasury to-day trans
mtted to the senate the reports of the So
rojtor Of the treasury and commissioner of
internal revenue on the subject; and also
tba reports of H. B. Lttlepage, lately en-
Moved as an agent of the treasury depart
uent.
PERSONAL PROPERTY.
The acting solicitor of the treasury, in his
-4p0rt, SAYS there is no personal property in
charge Of lis office; but it has been sug
gested that there is personal property now
held IN adverse possession 10 which the
Tuted States has a valid claim. If this be
rue, it would probably be advisable to
recommend an appropriation for its detec-
non and recovery.
REAL ESTATE POSSESSIONS.
The commissioner of internal revenue
saws the only property in charge OF his
Office is real estate acquired under the in
ternal revenue Jaw. He can furnish such
statement but says it will take some time
and as he is doubtful whether the object of
the resolution was to obtain such a state
nent he asks Tor more definite instructions.
According to a letter from Mr.. Littlepage
to the solicitor of the treasury, dated Oct
49, 1881, 1t seems that he was employed ito
assist IN the prevention and detection of
frauds upon the customs revenue"
A SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT.
He says: After my several converse
tons with you, infer that my special
assignment viii be to recover such prop
critics belonging to the late confederate
states as have been fraudulently or inn
properly diverted or concealed"
In concluding he says: "AbOve all,
l desire that my special assignment shall be
kept profound secret"
In letter dated Nov. II, 1887, Mr.. Lit
tlepage says he went to his home in King
William county, Va, to examine his old
confederate papers made and received
while in Europe, under orders of the then
confederate states government to obtain ac-
1 cura'e data.
THE CONFEDERATE SHIP TEXAS.
He says he found that in the winter of
1864 he was ordered to the confederate ship
II Texas alias 1.-The Pampeiron This vessel
II was built at Glasgow as a No l sloop of
war, and was to have received her arma-
/ melt and equipment while lying off the
i coast Of England by another vessel, Capt
/ Henry Sinclair Of the confederate states
l. i l+I, Al
/ vessel, her cost being 81 100000, all of
which was fully paid by the Confederate
1 government,
II SEIZED BY THE BRITISH.
The vessel he SAYS, started to sea, but
having been reported as a confederate
i cruiser, was seized. Capt. Sinclair, rather
than carry her through the courts, secured
Ter release 10y guaranteeing that she should
not go into the hands of the cOnfederacy
until they should be entitled to
have her. He then chartered her,
and when, a few months after, the
confederacy collapsed, she was sailing
under the same charter. He adds that this
vessel was fully paid for by the confederate
government and should belong to the
i United States. She is still valuable and Is
now trading between Edinburgh and
II Copenhagen.
OTHERS IN THE SAME CATEGORY.
He adds that there are several other
Il Clyde-built steamers constructed by the
confederate government similarly disposed
OF by their agents or captains which
should now belong to the United
states. There were also two
powerful rams built by Laird & Co, on the
Iersey, ost 'nsibly for the Chinese govern
Ment, but inspected and tested by confed-
crate oiticers. They were he says, seized
ii
disposed Of by the confederate agents in
Gnafge, and are now in the British navy.
having recently been seen by Admiral Luce
al Bermuda flying the British flag.
PURCHASES IN FRANCE.
M. Llttlepage also speaks of certain pow
trlli Clyde built steamers ana rams bought
u france for the confederate government,
ela also states that parties who recently
visited Capt. Sinclalr's house found that its
.uen, crockery, cutlery. etc, bore the let
@fs e. ). N, which articles are supposed
"1ave come from the ship Texas.
COUPLE OF STEAMERS
de adds that two now CLYDE built steam
~ the City of Petersburgn and "Old
dominion, which were built for the con-
.9-efa'e government AMI paid for by it are
40" running between Liverpool and Dub
ne adds; Il beg to file an itemized state
Ie9t Of confederate properties unrecov-
u5 ~5l oy the United States government, but
ol'cn might have been re overed had
per steps been taken. | believe th at a
T- @se amount Of property described may
% overed, although so many years
lave elapsed
FooTs Up $50, 900 900.
,. 1lo statements here referred to, enumer-
1g7 property OF various kinds, Gncluding
. mounting in value 10 $50. 900, 600
~., ~.,v 81 winch is in English bonds lie esti-
1~. ,.H lhat there are $500 900 worth Of
oyered property in the United States,
~ =, ncludlng the value of many millions
t4lDara +.. worth Of cotton belonging to the
A. .'Iate government shipped from
sNu''lIle, Galveston and Matamoras,
ace the war.
The Fisheries Treaty.