The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-10-10

were to sail upon them. He furnished
other evidence which was convincing. At
tina time it was said that the ministry was
not friendly to the union cause, and would
maintain itself. The law of nations is very
strict, however, so that England could be-
accused Of doing an unfriendly act If she
permitted these vessels TO depart after such
evidence. Mr.. Adams believed that the
ministry would find some technical way to
evade responsibility. and he had reason for
Buch belief.
A day or two after he made his protest
with proof, he received word from the
British authorities that If he would deposit
IS, 0O0. 900 in gold Immediately to protect
the English government against suit for
damages the vessels would not be allowed
to depart.
Mr.. Adams WAS in Despair. He believed
this to be a trick. OF course he had not
$5, 600, 900 at his instant command, and as
there was no ocean cable in those days he
could not get it from his government In
much less than three weeks time. Before
he could hear from Washington these
cruisers would be out upon the high seas.
AS hs sat in his Office growing greatly
over this peril, a gentleman walked in who
asked that absolute privacy be secured for
q fe " moments.
When these two men were alone, secure
from any possible eavesdropping, this visi-
tor said to Mr.. Adams: "Ihave just learned
of the demand made upon You for $4,000
600 in gold as q guarantee to the British
government to protect them IN case they
prevent the sailing of these cruisers. l
know that you cannot command any such
sum of money rs that until you hear from
Washington. / believe this has been lone
20 enable the vessels to sail way. There
fore l have come to offer You, MIR. Adams.
that S., 100000 in gold. and have only one
condition to impose, and that ia that my
name be never known in this transaction"
Mr.. Adams was amazed. 1t seemed to
him as though this was a direct interposi-
ton of providence. After thanking most
earnestly this benefactor, Mr.. Adams said
to him, II have NO security to offer You ex-
cept my pledge that l will send to Wash
ington Immediately and ask that she gov
eminent forward to yoU it's bonds as
security for tlis loan, but for three weeks
at least you will be without other security
shan my promise"
parted. and before niRhtfall Mr.. Adams
had deposited the &c. 600. 600 in gold to the
intense surprise of the British officials.
They were obliged to keep their word, and
the cruisers were restrained, and Shus this
great peril was removed.
As soon as ID was possible to hear from
Washington Mr.. Adams received some
500 600 in government bonds, which
were turned over to the benefaotor az Sc
curity. OF course he received his gold
back afterward and tho bonds were re-
turned.
Only one living man knows who this
benefactor was. President Lincoln knew,
Secretary Chase and MIR. Adams also, and
they died without revealing the secret. Mr..
Chittenden. who WAS register of the treas
ury and who took the bonds to England,
now knows, and he has inc,osed the name
in an envelope, deposited it with the secro-
tary of the treasury and after his death il
NAV be given to the world.
Yet tnsnciers ars satisfied that this ben
efactor OF the United States who risked
3d. 900, 600 to save 1t from peril was either
George Peabody, the banker and philan-
thropist. who had long lived in London, or
else ons of the Barring brothers. These
were the only men capable of commanding
on the instant so great an amount of money
ms that in gold, who were also so friendly to
tho Unitad States as to induce them TO
make this amazing offer. MIR. Adams used
TO say that had ID not been for this timely
aid perhaps the history of tho civil war
would have been differently written.
II. JAY EnwARps,