Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-05-16

all sorts in gold and silver. One box there was
ful OF diamonds and pearls, which had been
presented by the Emperor Of Japan to Presi-
dent Monroe. The gems were not of the very
finest kind, being intended for the decoration Of
sword hilts and purposes Of that sort; but never
sneiess they were worth good deal Of money.
For years that box of jewels gave great annoy
ance TO the officials at the treasury. Every
time there was a count Of the assets Of that in
sutution President Monroee casket would turn
up, and eager Washington correspondents with
noses preternaturally alert for news would send
out all over the country reports Of the dis
covery In an odd corner Of an unswept vault
OF oox full OF precious stones belonging
to the family Of Mr.. Monroe Where
upon editorials would appear in papers OPP
posed to the administration condemning this
neglect, and demanding that the treasure be
turned over to the INDECENT descendants OF the
autnor or the famous doctrine. Between whites
charges would be printed to the effect that the
pearls and diamonds in question, having beea
unheard OF for some time, had presumably
been distributed among the heelers OF the
wicked party in power. Congress never passed
an act permitting Mr.. Monroe to accept the
gift in question. and so it was transferred TO
the National Museum, together with the rest
ARTICLES CAPTURED DURING THE WAR.
There were other valuables also given into
the hands of the treasury which were captured
and confscated during the war. Among them
were 240 watches, eighty-five chains, eleven
rings, six lockets. one bracelet and one pair of
compasses. Most of these were secured at one
maui from the person Of a southern banker. with
whom they had been deposited for safe keep
ing He fled with them on his person and was
80 unfortunate as to be caught. For . long
ume mere were large stories current OF the
wealth in the possession of the government got
from the enemy during the rebellion. 1t was
told how the ladies of Richmond, inspired by
noble and patriotic motives turned their Jew
int he odora "a
treasury, .piling up a vast amount of value
tnere. and how the 'swag." as vulgar burglars
phrase 1t, was gobbled by the Union forces.
But the fact was that the latter found no treas
the heaps Of riches in cash and collateral re-
Ierred to we're all imaginary.
CONSCIENCE CONTRIBUTIONS
The United States treasury receives many
mysterious contributions sent in by unknown
persons whose conscience accuses them of hav-
ing swindled the government in one way or
another. Most of the frauds thus rectified are
committed against the customs and inter-
nal revenue laws The majority of people
seem to regard the government as they do q
corporation, which having neither q soul
be cheated to any extent iustifably;
put now and then an individual turns
up VINO gets worried about it afterward.
such penitents send the amounts they think
tney owe to Washington usually where the
sums pass through the hands of the bureau of
pubhc moneys into the treasury. Contribu-
lions OF this sort as low as o two-cent stamp are
received while sometimes they are as high as
several thousand dollars. while ago eight
halves OF as many 81 900 notes came in, accom-
panied by a notification that the remaining
halves would follow if acknowledgment was
made OF the receipt Of the first consignment
SOME SPECIMEN COMMUNICATIONS.
Some of the communications are rather
amusing. One correspondent writes from
Erie, Pa:
Enclosed find $40 which return to the gov
eminent, having beaten her out of that amount
In minor ways from time to time"
Another sends 600 saving:
This is on account of amount defrauded
the government of and which have paid back,
thank God %
An old soldier who is regarded as a regular
customer, sends So from time to time on ac-
count OF slOO, which. he writes, 81 obtained bv
unialrness seventeen or eighteen years ago, as
well as 1 can remember, and which hope to
iiquidate give my God the benefit Of the
doubt, relying on His boundless mercy"
Another penitent incloses $40 and saws:
This money is to be placed in the United
States treasury to the credit of an unknown
debtor. Pay this money where it belongs and
keep your record clear"
A person whose conscience is in proportion
to his means sends ~. 995. accompanied simply
by scrap OF paper with conscience scrawled
upon it.
Two postage stamps are inclosed in wrapper
on which is written: money that belongs to
the government"
Similarly woman sends from France 500.
with the words "C'est pour lie tresorie." A
case OF smuggling repented, doubtless
An unlntentional and very conscientious
smuggler incloses S1.26 in a paper with the
words, Duty on five pairs of gloves, Visible
but not taxed"
The very small contributions sent in this
way are probably il most instances acknowl-
edgments for having used government paper
for private purposes, for having utilized can
celed stamps to carry letter or some such pee
| cadilloes.
The treasury is often bothered for money by
people In whose family traditions exist TO the
effect that great-grandfather or a granduncle
deposited with the institution ever SO long ago
| sums which have since mounted to fabulous
proportions. 1t is desired by the heirs, very
naturally. that their inheritance shall be dis
| tributed, and they sometimes go SO far as to
threaten legal proceedings. These money
myths are preserved by generation after gener-
alton, and those concerned never seem to lose
faith in them altogether. Think of the imag-
mary treasures that have been heaped I'D in
the Bank OF England for centuries merely
waiting their long-sought owners to come and
climb the golden bean stalk!