Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-20
A FIND OF $4,000, 600.
Property Of Fabulous Value Discovered Under
Castle In Rio JaneirO

| Property Of Fabulous Value Discovered Unde
aCsstle In Rio Janeiro.
| A New York special says: News has been RI
ceived in this city Of the discovery Of tressur
valued at about s70 600 600 in one Of the sub
terranean vaults of the old castle of San An
tonic at Rio Janeiro, where it had lain hidde
since some time in the last century.
| Ell Cdrreo de Caracas, published at Caracas
Venezuela, in its issue of July l, gives de
tailed account of this discovery in an articl
occupying almost the entire front page Of tn
newspaper. The discovery was made by tn
chief engineer, who for some time has been en-
gagged in the demolition Of the castle Of So,
Antonio.
Before 1t was converted into a castle Sar
Antonio was a monastery under the control o.
the Jesuits; and it was during this period Of it,
history that the treasure is supposed to have
been hidden.
Underneath the castle are vaults built like the
corridors of mine, and in one OF these a large
| number of cases, chests and bundles were dis
covered.
The contract for the demolition Of the castle
stipulated that in the event of a discovery OF
any precious metals half of the treasure should
belong to the state. Accordingly the engineer
IN charge promptly notified the Brazilian gov
eminent, making a statement of the find and
soliciting official advice and assistance.
WHAT THE ENGINEER FOUND.
The memorandum of the engineer enumer-
ated the following articles found in the vaults
One hundred and twelve wooden boxes, with
iron clasps and three locks on each, and weigh
ing $50 kilos (about two pounds) each; four
cast-iron chests, weighing 6l5 kilos each; six
teen leather sacks. sewed. weighing fifty-nine
kilos each: 800 packages OF parchments, with q
total weight Of .457 klos: three boxes contain
na fwa tv- ckaUa slirhf
aged
An examination of the contents of these
chests and packages resulted in a most as
tonishing discovery The liz wooden cases
contained gold 20 the value of about so. OOO-
0W. The geld consisted of old Portuguese
cruzados (ancient mireis worth about so cents
each( and the accounting of the treasure was
verified by documents found in the cases.
Among the papers found was a receipt of Friar
Desartc Aston superior OF the Order of Jesus
ackno wiedging the receipt of 2o0OO,OOO
cruzados in gold to be turned over to Don
John as tribute Of honor upon his voyage
to Brazil
These 2O,O0O,O00 out OF the 10000. 900 and
Z,o6o klogrammes of gold powder contained in
the -FOUR iron chests, and 945 kilogrammes of
gold bars, vessels and richly worked ornaments
were to have gone to Portugal aboard the royal
squadron OF caravals and galleons, which.
under the command of Don Sebastian, was to
touch at Brazil en- route to Lisbon
WHY THE TREASURE WAS BURIED.
It is said that when the Marquis of Pombal,
the great Portuguese statesman, demanded in
the last century the remittance of the above
sum Father Anton buried the treasure in the
vaults OF his monastery and denied that il had
ever been In his possession, declaring that it
had been taken away during the previous
reign. In consequence of this denial. which
did not deceive the marquis. the Jesuits we're
expelled from Brazil and Portupal
The twenty-six packages were found to con-
tain variety Of precious stones, whose value
cannot be told, as they have not yet been ap-
praised. The excavations about the castle are
not yet finished. and q discovery OF more treas
ure may not be impossible.