New-York tribune., 1907-06-04
HID CONFEDERATE SEAL
NEGRO KEEPS SECRET
Refuses 10 Betray Trust Jefferson
Darts RepoSed in Him.
IBy Telegraph TO The Tribune ]

Richmond. Va, June 3-James II Jones n
negro who was Jefferson Davis's bodyguard
and valet, arrived here from Washington this
morning and was met by a delegation of Con-
federate veterans. Mr. Davis intrusted the
Confederate seal to Jones just before Richmond
was evacuated and told him to hide it. He did
50 To-day General West. Of Atlanta; Comman-
der Callahan. of Washington, and Captain Nc
Nahon. Of Athens Ga, representing the Con-
federate veterans, offered him $4,000 to pro-
duce the great seal. Jones replied that no
money could tempt him to betray the trust re-
posed in him by Jefferson Davis, and said that
the secret would be buried with him. Jones
went Immediately from the train to see Mrs.
Hayes. the surviving member of jefferson
Davis's family. and attended the unveiling Of
the Davis monument where thousands of vet
erans shook hands with the old man post
of honor in the parade was given TO him He
holds a place in the United States Senate
After the offer had been made and declined
the man who has kept the secret all these years
said 10 your correspondent:
If II could be done without my violating con-
fdence reposed in me by Mr. Davis. I would
BE- very glad TO see the great seal of the Com
federacy in the museum here; but this cannot
be done. and as I told the gentlemen. I Will
carry the secret to my grave. No money con-
sideraton could for a moment influence me in
this matter No. sir; I love the memory of Mr..
Davis and his family too devotedly to think Of
any such transaction. I am not made out of
that kind Of material, and was not raised by
white people who taught dishonorable prin-
cipes I have in my veins a good streak Of
Indian blood. and. you know. an Indian detests
a liar and thief. and I would be nothing less
did I 90 otherwise than I am doing in this mat
ter.
It is my earnest wish that this may be the
last effort TO get me TO tell that which I prom
ised Mr.. Davis faithfully I would never divulge.
But it matters not how many offers may be
made and how large the amounts James Jones
will never entertain them"
do YOU believe you could recover the SCALP
was asked
7 feel entirely satisfied that I could. but
never viii. I never did deceive Mr.. Davis. and
now that he is dead am sure I shall remain
true to the implicit confidence ne always placed
in me almost from the day entered his en-
ploy.'
There has been much discussion through the
newspapers about the great seal Of the Confed-
eracy. some claiming that duplicates were made
Of the seal which you placed in the James"
7 am satisfied that no duplicate was ever
made Of the last great seal Of the Confederacy;
but there are duplicates of the one used before
the last one reached Richmond from England.
the one which Nr. Davis intrusted to I
have been told that the first seal used by the
Confederacy was engraved on a piece Of box
wood in Montgomery. I believe that is a matter
OF history. The seal Of which duplicates were
made was the one made in Baltimore or WASH
ington. assisted In unpacking the box in
which il came to Richmond. and there
splendid flag in the box. My recollection is that
this was in 1852, in the early part of that year.
This seal did not weigh more than one pound,
and I know that while Mr.. Davis and his Cab
met were pleased with the workmanship, the