The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1893-06-30
THE DEAD LETTER MUSEUM.
An Interesting Place.

WASHINGTON, June 26-There is seldom a
day passes that some stranger does not visit the
Dead Letter Museum, and after several hours
of inspection, fails in his attempt to find some
article that he may have missent mt some prerl-
Gus time. Were it anything of ordinary value
it would probably he arranged along the
shelves OF articles that 90 to make up the cur
ious collection i'll the Museum, but were it a
book it would probably he on the shelf of the
library, and to that place he would direct his
steps, only to be thwarted in his attempts, as
he could not have recognized it among go
large number of books.
The history of the library is one of interest,
and will prove, no doubt, attractive to those
who have seen it, or enjoyed its privileges.
1t was originally u library of reference for
the benefit of the officials of the Postotfice De-
partment, as il contained IL full history of
Congress from the proceedings of the first day
to the close of the fifty second session, as well
as the history of the organization of the Office
of auditor OF the treasury for the Postofhce
Department. But in 1887, when Senator Villas
was Postmaster General, an order was issued
to the effect that all books sent through the
mails, and unclaimed, instead of being disposed
of at public auction should be placed in the
library, and permission granted the clerks to
use them, since which time it has been the
source of great pleasure to many who hereto
fore derived no benefit whatever.
Every year there are received about two
hundred and fifty books, for which no claim-
ants are found, and after Il careful inspection
has been made, those suitable for library are
returned, and the remainder sold at the annual
sale of dead letter effects.
lnerc are many DOJkS o rare value On llS
shelves, noticeable among which is the original
manuscript Journal of Hugh Finlay, the first
Postoifice Inspector FROM 1878 to 1114, and
also surveyor OF post roads. 1t was offered to
the department by Mr.. Frank IL. Norton, of
the Astor Library, New Yo.x, for $3.50, and
accordingly accepted, and purchased by Mr.
St John B; L. skinner, their First Assistant p
detailed account of all his doings, together
with maps of the routes he travelled over, said
maps having been artistically drawn with pen,
md a SfQ 10 m nj rfI n 10
mails from New York for all foreign points
The whole is bound in sheep-skin and is in re-
markedly fine condition.
Another valuable book Is the fac-simile of
the original manuscript of the ledger of Dr.
Benjamin Franklin, who was Postmaster Gen.
eral In 1776.. According to an account by Mr.
w. w. Cox, formerly 9th auditor, every word,
figure and mark was written by Benjamin
Franklin and all accounts were kept in pounds,
Shlings and pence, each State having its own
currency. The book is very old, singular and
valuable, and was rescued from the flames
when the postoffice building was burned in
1886, by Mr.. Cox himself, and is now.on file in
the office of the 9th auditor, rs IL part of the
archives.
1t is curious and interesting relic, being
prefaced by IL concise and very interesting
manuscript sketch of the early history of postal
affairs in this country, under the Colonies, the
Confederacy and the Federal Government, COW
ering the period from 1853 to 1906.
There is also IL Autograph of very interest
ing autograph letter from benjamin Franklin
to Humphrey Marshall, at Chester county, Pa,
dated London, April -, l111, and in the clear,
perfect, and bold handwriting OF DIR. Franklin,
and is one of the greatest curiositi6S to be
found in Washington or elsewhere.
Besides the above mentioned relics, the fol
lowing are also numbered among the collec-
ton:
Complete files of the American, and the An
nual Cyclopcdhps. The Rebellion Records.
The National Intellgencer. Niles Weekly
Register American Newspaper directories.
Official Reports of all the Departments. The
United States Blue Book, from 1916, when it
was first published in one volume of SS pages.
to the present edition of two volumes of 1900
pages each. Colonial Records of Maryland and
Connecticut. The life of nearly every Presi-
dent. State papers of Washington, Adams,
Jefferson, Madison, Monroe and Hamilton.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the United States,
and also of the World
Mrs. Henley, the lady in charge of the library,
keeps a careful watch that the privileges are
not abused, and is polite and courteous to those
who apply for books at all times.
CHAPMAN