Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1911-09-01
LUCKY lAsI look

20 being lost was one of the most
precious Of our national doeu-
ments. the Declaration of Indep-
endence- 1t was during the war
Of 1912. The Declaration of indie
pendenee hung in the state depart
ment in the room then occupied by
Stephens Pleasonton. Mr..
Beasley. commisssry of prisoners
Of war in London. forwarded to
the state department some Lon
don newspapers. stating that The
English fleets and transports were
receiving troops at Bordeaux,
France, with the intention of open
ing against Washington and Balti-
more. Soon after il was learned
that the british feet was in
Chesapeake bay and that it was
ascending the Pautuxent. TIE
officials and citizens of the little
capital city wera hourly expecting
an attack.
Upon receipt of this informa-
ton, which was a few day. before
the enemy entered Washington.
Mr.. Monroe, then secretary of
state. James Madison being presi-
dent. mouted his horse, rode TO
Benedict, a small village on the
Patuxent, where the British forces
were being landed, and climbed
an eminence within a quarter Of a
mile Of the village. in order to
ascertain the strength of the
enemy. Being convinced. after
his inspection, that We had no
force available that could
successfully resist them, be sent a
note TO Mr.. Plsasonton by q
vidette, advising him to see that
the best care vas taken of the
books and papers of the state
department.
Acting at oEce upon this
authority, Mr.. Pleasonton
purchased some coarse linen and
had il made into bags Of suitable
size, in which he, assisted by
others in the office, placed the
books and other papers.
While engaged in this work
General Armstrong. then secretary
of war. passing 10 his own Office.
remarked that he thought they
we're unnecessarily al aiming
themselves, as he did not think
the British we're serious in their
intentions of coming 20 Washing
ton. Fortunately Mr.. P~lessonton
was Of a different opinion. and
observed that it was the part OF
prudence TO take measures TO pre-
serve these valuable papers of
their revolutionary government.
Had Mr.. Pleasonton delayed but a
few days, had he followed the
advice of the secretary OF war
an irreparable loss would have
been sustained. For the papers
which Ar. Pleasonton had placed
in the coarse linen bags comprised
the erect journals Of congress
thsn not published the correspond
nc Of General Washington. his
commits on, resigned at the cl jse
of the war; the correspondence Of
General Greene and other officers
of the Revolution, as well as laws.
treaties and correspondence Of the
department OF state from the
adoption of the constitution down
TO that time. Mr.. Pleasonton had
the bags carted to a grist mill,
whcih he selected as a suitable
depository. The mill. Iich was
unoccupied. belonged to Edgar
Patterson and was situated on the
Virginia side of the Potomac, be-
yond the Chain bridge. two miles
above Georgetown.
The last load had left, and Sir.
Plessonton was just quitting the
vacant rooms when. CHANGING
back suddenly to see whether any
thing had been left behind, to his
c%onsternati or he saw the Declsra-
ton OF Independence. which had
been overlooked. hanging upon the
wall. He hastily cut it out Of the
frame and carried IL away with
the other papers.
He then began to he uneasy
about the place he had hosen. for
IL the British took Washington.