The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-06-29

United States Senate there Is a heavy
bound volume which is literally worth
much more than its weight In gold
Although subject to the inspection of
any ren able American citizen who
knows Of Its existence ana cares to ask
for the privilege of examining it, the
book Is one of the most precious In the
possession of the United States govern
ment and OF more value. sentimentally,
at least, than any volume In the federal
archives 1t Is in charge OF Mr.. R. B.
Nixon, the financial clerk or the senate,
who has been a faithful employee for
more than thirty years.
The volume contains messages in the
original from the various presidents of
the United States to the Senate, from
the time Of George Washington down to
Grover Cleveland. AS stated by the in
scription on the cover, the volume con-
taips Presidents messages from the ex-
ecutiye files of the Senate during the
first century of the existence of the
United States of America, May 1. 1885,"
The volume was prepared under the d.
rection of Arson G. McCook, who was
then Secretary Of the Senare The re-
markabe thing about the contents is
that the writing for the most part Is
as clear and logible as when first In
scribed. This is not the case with the
original of the Declaration of Independ-
ence in The possession of the State de-
partment. A few years ago the writing
of this historical document began to fade
and It was placed in a glass case kept in
an alright steel safe. and exposed only
on rare occasions.
A short time ago, however, 1t was no.
tictd that the ink in the Declaration
was becoming rapidly illegible. and now
the writing can be deciphered only with
great difficulty and with the aid of a
magnifyirg glass. 1t is thought that this
obscurity Is due somewhat to the fact
that an impression was made of the
handwriting for the purpose of making
a fac smile and that some of the ink
was absorbed in the process. AT any
rate, the original Declaration can be
read now only in certain light anu
soon will have faded away altogether.
This is not the case with the historic
writings in the possession of the Secreta-
ry of the Senate. The handwriting is as
clear and legible now as 1t was when
penned by the famous men who long
since passed from earth.
The initial message in the book is the
first of any Importance sent to the Sen
ate by President Washington. On two
occasions previous to the writing OF the
message he mad, in person. met the Sen
ate in executive session. but since Au-
gust "a, 1885, there Is no record of any
Pre- sident having done So although au-
thority for such a course Is given by
rule SO of the Senate. This rule Is still
in force and says:
"When the President of the United
States shall meet the Senate In the Sen
ate chamber for the consideration OF ex-
ecutive business he shall nave seat
on the right of the presiding officer
The first message OF Importance from
President George Washington to the Sen
ate is inscribed on course, unruled paper,
in Dig, heavy. plain handwriting and
signed by the well known signature. &c.
Washington" 1t reads as follows:
Gentlemen of the Senate: The Pres
ident of the United States will meet the
Senate In the Senate chamber at half
past II o'clock to advise with them on
the terms of the treaty to be negotiated
with the Southern Indians.
New York, August ]. 1888"
The earlier messages of John Adams
were all In his own handwriting. His
first was noteworthy for the fact that
in 1t be nominated his own son to be
minister to Prussia. This message reads:
gentlemen of the Senate: l nominate
John Quincy Adams of Massachusetts TO
be minister plenipotentiary from the
United States to the King OF Prussia
John Adams.
United states, goth of. May. 1891"
This custom of dating his messages
UNITED States' was evidently peculiar
to Adams. 1t appears in none OF the
other messages on file in the Senate
archives. There are more messages of
John Adams all In his own big, heavy,
easily read chirography, and then comes
one which Is regarded by historians and
xalt, fora a1 If gre for Int
sentimental value than any other state
psper in the government archives, with
the possible exception Of the original of
the Declaration of Independence and the
Constitution. This il a message sent to
the Senate by Mr.. Adams on July 2. 1898,
and reading thus:
gentlemen of the Senate: I nominate
George Washington of Mount Vernon to
be lieutenant general and commander-in-
chief of the armies raised in the United
States"
gentleman who read this letter In the
office Of the secretary or the senate a
few days ago put the book down with
a Sigh ard said: II would give 5000 for
that piece of paper" The government
would hardly sell 1t, even for much |
higher price,.
one Of the most interesting documents |
in the book is the manuscript Of Thomas |
Jeffersons speech to the Senate when he |
called that body to order as Vice-Pres- |
.dent Mt the commencement or the ses-
sion on March 4. 1877. The manuscript |
was found lying on the Vice-President's
desk after the Senate adjourned and was
preserved by thoughtful clerk The |
speech Is a model of brcvity and is |
written in Mr.. Jefferson's fine legible
hand.
On February Is. 1903. the House of Rep
sent to the Senate mes
sage notifying them of the passage of
IAN act making further provision for |
the expenses attending the intercourse
between the United States and foreign
nations In considering this bill in the |
House the unusual course was adopted