The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-12-16

loss the Government might never be able
to prove that the moneys were paid, she
hastily Lays them away again under heavy
lock n key.
And now I will show you my jewels
she will tell o bringing another black
box Of ancient cut and time worn deoorR-
ton. Peering at its lid, you can family
decipher some fantastic gold lettering, and
you read, guessing at IL here and there:
Accounts. G.. Washington with the United
states. Commencing June, 1875, and end
ing June. 1883. compromising a space Of
eight years.
Inside are three or four battered calf
bound account books, all neatly filed with
writing OF the great American parent.
The rounded letters, with their gracefully
curlicued embellishments, and the beauti-
fully formed, symmetrical figures, are elo-
quent proof of the ~painstaking exactness
brought into play in even the minuti@
OF his affairs. These accounts were kept
mainly while on the march, yet they were
brought up from day to day W 18th the greatest
accuracy, and the recapitulation at the
end of each book is detailed and compre-
henslve. The accounts cover money of
W~ashington's own spent for the Govern
ment and Government funds expended by
him. His conscientiousness is shown in a
t%ootnote, calling attention to a particular
item which he appeared to have paid but
for which he had no receipt. This he de-
- A"o y" VI SNhhk SthNAA NAc AN@N
ter should be definitely settled.
Some curious little differences in book
Keeping phraseology are shown in these
books. For instance, the top line Of a
times Brought up, or when he Is very
businesslike indeed, ITO foot of other
side brought up" Occasionally one find
Brought over from other side, o -Contra-
credit side" The counts are in English
money.
Ca.ot- -.- - ~. II -
books, showing the sums allowed members
OF Congress for transportation to and from
Washington. Their travelling was done
on horseback or in sta gecoaches and they
we're paid so much a mile by the Govern
ment. The thirteenth session of Congress-,
one Of the books reads; and one Of its entries,
for ss63 mileage, is reoeipted in a faint,
uncertain hand, ID. Webste r." A paw
ment was made 20 Henry Clay Of $3.50 for
III days attendance. Congressman were
paid by the day n their pay. deducted
signature was found to have been cut from
the book, when it was unearthed not long
ago from the musty cupboard where il had
lain for many years.
The paper in these old books Is Of beau
tiful quality, and except for the edges,
which have cracked like old ivory, il is
still II. excellent shape. Holding II TO the
light, Che roval water mark is disclosed,
showing a crown, with the entwined letters
Oh below, the paper being OF English make
during the reign OF George III. Some Of
the watermarks show the English coat Of
arms with the crown above IL.
Perhaps the most int resting Of these
old account books are those showing the
personal expenses Of Washington and his
military family "-evidently his immediate
staf. The accounts were kept by Caleb
Gibbs, and are generally headed Head
quarters, on the march, headquarters
being sometimes New York, sometimes
Valley Forge and other historic points.
They cover purchases OF food supplies, for
the most part, though here and there such
items appear as
cash for a broom that Peter bought
Cash paid for mending the chariot ........ Is
Agreed with Peggy for 4s per month for the
Generals washing and IS per doz. for the
gentlemen OF the family.
On July 0, l7TS, the entry is made:
This day Mrs. Thompson came TO keep
house for his excellenoy. General Washington
On July TO-
Bought II doz. Of Madeira wine OF Mr..
Thomas Martin. 3 pounds ias a dozen.
On July IL:
His ExceIlency had a present Of two barrels
The spelling in all these ccounts is most