The morning times., 1896-07-19

without approaching q complete compila-
ton To undertake. the collection of
everything of interest would be an attempt
to accomplish the Impossible. and official
papers only. and not all of these. are gwen
a place in the archives and the libraries.
In the hands OF individuals. held. as re-
ninders OF the great civil strife, aud III
many Instances sacred. because OF their
first associations, are letters. official menI-
oranda, and original copies of military
orders upon the proper execution of which
fateful events depended, and which even
the efforts of the multitude of curiosity
hunters have failed TO discover. Many at
these will never be made the subject of
newspaper comment.
AUTOGRAPHS OF CELEBRITIES.
Among some papers once belonging To a
United States representative abroad, and
now owned by bis daug hter in this city. are
several autograph letters which have never
been printed, attached to each being the
signature OF the author by his own hand.
The writer's were all leaders in the revolu-
ton OF 81, prominent actors i'll it from its
inception TO its close. Upon their shoulders
rested the responsibility OF maintaining
the Southern cause. one being the head OF
the civil government. another the head OF
the army.
The first to be noted is u letter written and
signed by jefferson Davis. II is Il brief
message, dated March 2s, 1851, and WIS
upon the question of finanCe-a suggestion,
in fact. that the President OF the CoDfederacy
desired to replenish his bank account and
had confidence that the infant government
would meet his needs.
The manuscript has written mt the top.
in the handwriting OF some official,
Warrant - which. together with its
date, gives color to the belief that the
first warrant ever hoDored by the Confed-
crate treasury was based upon Mr.. Davis
demand for his salary. as presented below:
March 2S, 1861.
My Dear Sir:
II would like to have the salary for the
quarter, that is, from inauguration to LIST
April, In the form of Treas'ry warrant,
which could he placed in the bank.
.... rs .!sE Eff DAVIS.
&c. s. Memminger,
'.sec' 8 OF Treas'y.t 49, COON I
GETS HIS DRAFT.
Written below was this Endorsement:
Issue a warrant for $2,91 6.G6 for-sal-s
ary from Sth Feb'y to 18th April.
"P. CLAYTON, w. Z :
s.ra,y... 81 Asst Sec. Of Treas'y.''>
On the back of the spote, in the same
handwriting as e.lat iY the body =.ofs~ths.
communication, is .tiIe address: Hon. G.
g. Aeinminger. seEy Of Treasy fhe
closed In an enveltpe lis additional proof
that it is the originxl p4per. s-sa
The next COMMUNICATION seems to have
been writteps by, AID without doubt bears
the genuine signature, or. the INDUSTRIOUS
Georgian, Alexander H. Stephens. 1t
was dated Richmond, then the Southern :
military headquarters, and. like that Of the
Confederate president, was upon the sub :
ject Of finance.
1t reads as follows: -''e-i
RICHMOND, va. 18th Sept, 1851.
"To C. ]. Memminger, Secretary OF Treas
"Please pay to James NJ. Selkirk, or his
order, four hundred dollars, funds for the
general hospital.
ALEXANDER n. STEPHENS,
chairman of Board of Managers OF the
Georgia Hospital in Richmond, Va"
The famous Judah P. BENJAMIN, whose
great legal ability was undisputed, and
wnose services in behalf Of the -Confed-
eracy distinguished him both at home and
In Europe, and who at the close OF the
struggle became queens counsel in the
English courts. supplies document. Like
the others, it is q call upon the treasury,
but for a very modest amount. At the
top appears the number "1497" and the
dale April 6, 1893"
It is q printed form, the blanks being
filled in with ink, and at the bottom
Mr.. Benjamin's signature, Enthusiastically in
his own chirography. 7-es'' e
MODEST EXPENSE ACCOUNT.
It is as. follows:
Department Of State,
30. ans :, :. .'Ricbmond, April g, 1858.
ITO the Secretary OF the Treasury:
'sSir: Please cause a. warrant fors the