Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-03-10

fiaDIlCl papers.
MallSoh papefs......,......... 25.pO0
Monroe papers. Observation-Disclosures. 2U,vOO
Total. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. sl65. 900
Congress bought the Washington manu-
scripts tthe Sparks collection in two lots
the FIRST IN 1881 and the second In 1919
The Madison papers were purchased in
May, SIS; the jefferson and Hamilton pa
pers in August, 1878, and the Monroe papers
IN lS49 then Congress went out of the
manuscript business until August, 1852
when II made an appropriation for the pur-
chase of the Franklin collection from Henry
Stevens of London.
There are 9TI volumes of these pracious
manuscripts. But this is no index TO the
number of them. Some of these volumes
are folios of loosely bound papers Of varying
size; some OF them are quartos of heavy
linen sheets on which the manuscripts are
mounted AS far possible, all of the
manuscripts are being remounted and re-
bound, but the progress of the work is slow
The department has not the facilities for
carrying the work forward rapidly, and
Congress will not make an adequate an
preparation for il.
What should BE Done
This reminding of the manuscripts is abso-
lutely necessary to their preservation. Con-
gress ought to make a distinct appropria-
ton for the purpose and hurry the work
forward. 1t should do more 1t should
make appropriations for the publication Of
all of these papers in printed FORM so that
1t would not be necessary to consult the
originals. Anyone who has worthy object
IN consulting these papers can obtain an or
der from the Secretary of State. which will
give him access to them. They are con-
stantly being examined by historians and
other writers. II there were printed
copies to which those who sought informa-
ton could be referred The thumbing of the
originals would stop, and the wear and tear
on them would almost cease
Nnnp
years ago for the publication of the diplo-
matte correspondence of the revolutionary
war But probably in an economic spirit
Congress provided that the correspondence
should be edited" AS result a great
deal was omitted because in the individual
Judgment of the editor 1t was not important
enough for publication. A few DAYS ago
gentleman came to the department libra
rian bewailing the fact that a convention
with France part of the revolutionary rec
ords, was not to be had. 1t was an i'm
portant link in the chain of history. Mr.
Allen said that he was quite sure that the
document was in the department archives
He looked for it. and there it was. But the
editor of the Diplomatic Correspondence.
IN his omnipotence, had thought this paper
unnecessary to his compilation, which was
a practical demonstration of the fact that
the publication is not so valuable as it
might be.
Original Declaration of Independence
Only few weeks ago the original Decla-
raticn of Independence was removed from
the upright frame, in which 1t has been ex
hlplted for many years in the State Depart
ment library. rolled up, put in a tin cylin-
der and stored in the steel vault which
stands on the north side of the library
room. 1t has for companions the appeal 10
King George and the Constitution of the
United States-two of the most important
documents in the archives of the govern
ment. These documents are very seldom
SHOWN to any one In fact, there are few
apphcations to see them. Comparatively
rev people Know that the Constitution is on
hle In the department, and so very few
people make inquiries for it, distin-
Suished visitor would have no difficulty in
obtaining view of it. Next to these docu-
ments, perhaps the most important of the
department archives are the originals of
all the laws of Congress. With one excep-
uon these laws are on parchment The eX-
cept1on was revision of the general stat
utes made some years ago 1t was so bulky
that the clerks of Congress were appalled,
at the task of copying II, so by special
dlspensatlon 1t was put In type at the gov
eminent printing office and a printed conv
IN paper was signed by the President with
the beginning of this Congress all laws have
been printed but they are now printed on
parchment In large type. The sheets on
which these laws were copiei have been NJ
uniform size since the beginning of the gov
eminent. They are bound in half morocco
With red backs, lettered in gold The books
are nalI 1oot thick and the leaves are
about three feet long by two feet wide
some laws are only twelve words long: some
contain as many thousand words
How Access Can BE Obtained.
These volumes of the laws are kent in
wooden cases among the other department
-ecords in room which communicates with
the library. Any of the clerks of the library
an have access to them, and IL a clerk had
any occasion TO remove one of the volumes
20 another floor of the building he would
ind no objection. He would be required to
give receipt for the volume and he would
Ge held responsible for its safe return. The
responsibility would not be small for the
documents are absolutely unique: they could
rot be repla ced unless they were laws passed
n the time of Cleveland or Harrison They
ire handled at brief intervals but no harm
las come to them yet. They are an un-
Iroken record from the First Congress tc
he Fiftythird. The parchment Is as well
preserved and the handwriting as clear In
he earlier as in the later laws. OF course
here are printed copies of these laws which
ire accepted in all the courts throughout
ne United States: but two or three times a
month come applications for certified copies
# one or another Of them, to be used In
rials. This is the principal use to which
hese originals are put. The department,
Jerk does not turn to his printed COPY o.
he statutes. He must take down the orig