Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1906-07-05
Saved the
Declaration "
From British

lost was once the most precious OF 0ul
national documents, the Declaration o.
Independence, It was during the wal
of 1912. The Declaration of Independ.
ence hung, for many years. In a frame
In the state department in the room
then occupied by Stephen Pleasonton
who moved to Washington In 1900
with the government. Mr.. Monroe,
when he was elected president, cre-
ated new office, which was conferred
upon Mr.. Pleasonton, that Of chief OF
the lighthouse establishment, to which
was added the auditing of the minis
terial and consular accounts. This
office was retained by Mr.. Pleasonton
under all the succeeding administers
lions until his death, which occurred
In 1856.
Mr.. Beaseley, commissary of prison.
ers of war In London, forwarded to
the state department some London
newspapers stating that the English
fleets and transports were receiving
troops at Bordeaux, France, with the
intention Of operating against Wash
ington and Baltimore. Soon after 1t
was learned that the British fleet was
in the Chesapeake bay, and that 1t was
ascending the Patuxent. The officials
and citizens Of the little capital city
were hourly expecting an attack.
Upon receipt of this information,
which was few days before the enc
my entered Washington, Mr.. Monroe,
then secretary Of state, James Madison
being president, mounted his horse,
rode to Benedict, a small village on
the Patuxent, where the British forces
were being landed, and climbed an
eminence within quarter Of mile
Of the village, in order to ascertain the
strength Of the enemy. Being con-
WINGED after his inspection that we
had no force available that could sue
cessfully resist them, he sent a note to
Mr.. Pleasonton by a vidette, advising
him to Sc that the best care was taken
Of the books and papers Of the state
department.
Acting at once upon this authority
Mr.. PleasontonN purchased some coarse
linen and had 1t made into bags Of
suitable size, in which he, assisted by
the others Of the Office, placed the
books and other papers.
Mr.. Pleasonton had the bags carted
to a grist mill which he selected as a
suitable depository. The mill, which
was unoccupied, belonged to Edgar
Paterson, and was situated on the Vir-
ginia side Of the Potomac, beyond the
Chain bridge, two miles above George
town.
The last load had left and Mr.. Pleas
onton was Just quitting the vacant
rooms, when, turning back suddenly |
to see whether anything had been left |
behind, to his CONSERVATION he saw
the Declaration Of Independence,
which had been overlooked, still hang
Ing upon the wall. He hastily cut 1t
out of the frame and carried It away
with the other papers.
He then began to be uneasy about
the place he mad chosen, for II the
British took Washington, which he
firmly believed they would do, and
very soon at that, they would In all
detach a force for the pur-
pose Of destroying foundry for the
making Of cannon and shot in the
and Of course would
consider grist mill too valuable a
hing to be left standing in country
hey meant to subdue. Mr.. Pleasonton
therefore visited some of the Virginia
arm houses, whose owners were only
90 willing to loan him wagons in
which to convey the documents to
Ieesburg, a distance Of IS miles. There
hey were deposited in an empty
louse, the keys of which were given
o Rev. Mr.. Littlejohn. who was one
Il the collectors Of internal revenue
Worn out with his labors, Mr.. Pleas
'nton states In a letter. he retired
ariy TO bed that night and slept
oundly. Next morning he was in-
ormed by the people Of the little tav-
IN where he had stayed that evening
hat they had seen during the night,
he same being the cath Of August. q
arge Gre in the direction Of Washing
on, which proved to be the light from
be public buildings. which the enemy
nd set on fire and burned to the
round. Ii
When he returned to Washington on |
be ssh he found the public build
lgs stiii burning, and learned that the
ritish army had evacuated the city
ie preceding evening, in the belief
sat the Americans were again assem-
ling IN the rear for the purpose Of
ltting on their retreat
But e. the British feet still lowered
! the nelghborhood and threatened
YashIngton with q second invasion,
was not considered safe TO bring the
spers Of the state department back
r soms weeks In the meantime Mr..
Ieasouton made occasional trips TO
sssburg for particular papers TO
hich ne secretary Of state had occa-