The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-19

Wnicn are SO lasting. l invoked the
assistance of Lawrence Washington.
ESD, who communicated the facts OF
tho discovery of tho seal TO Eppa
uunton, Jr.. esquire, OF Richmond. ana
Mr.. Hunton associated with himself
william II. White and Thomas L.
brNan, esquircs. also of Richmond.
Jhese three public-spiritcd gentlemen
have generously acquired the seal. It
being agreed on the part of all the
persons concerned in the transaction
that IT Is to DO placed in n public In
stitution In Richmond. formerly tho
capital OF the Confederate States.
"GAILLARD HUNT
"Of the Manuscript Division, Library
OF Congress, Washington. u. c.. May
IA. 1912"
Every Link Complete.
Tho exhibits which accompany tho
statement of Mr.. Hunt show close
study of every phase of the history
OF the Great Seal. and connect every
link in the chain from the day tho
Confederate Congress passed an act
ordering seal. up to its delivery to
Messrs. Bryan and White In Washing
ton last Tuesday. and include let
ter from Rcar-Admral Thomas o.
SSlfridGc. dated May IA, 1912. in which
he says:
"I'he seal herewith delivered to
Nicssrs WiiIinm II. White and Thomas
u. Bryan. of Itichmond, Va, Is the
identical seal given 40 me In the year
iS'. by John II. Pickett, being tho !
Grcnf seal of the Confederate states
of America ns Pickett then informed
me-"
In his letter Admiral Selfridge agrees
further 10 have the seal submitted to
J. s. ana a. b. wyon. of London. sue
ccssors to Joseph S. Wyon, and guar
antecs that 1t will stand the test and !
be certified by them as the identical
seal engraved by the late Joseph S. !
Wyon as the Great Seal or tho Con- |
fedcratc states of America and de- |
livcred by him in 1864 to james NJ |
Mason. representative of the Confed !
cracy In London.
The various copies OF manuscripts /
in the Library or Congress arc sworn |
to by Gaillard Hunt. as correct tran
scripts of tho originals. known as the |
Pickett papers.
Description of Seal.
Among the exhibits is a copy OF the /
act of the Confederate Congress or |
dcrinS that the seal should consist OF
Il device representing AN equestrian |
of Washinston. after the
statue which surmounts his monument |
In the Capitol Square at Richmond. |
surrounded with wreath composed of ,
the principal agricultural products OIL
by Thomas $. Bocock, speaker. and AL
cxander IL. Stephens. esdent of the
Senate Further exhibits are copies OF |
between Judah z. Ben |
inmin. Secretary of state, of the Con- !
federacy. to James NJ. Mason, agent of
the Confedcracy, In London. lii which /
MIR Benjamin says:
1T is not desired that the work be !
executed by any but the best artists
That can he found. and tho difference
of expense between poor and hnc
specimen OF art In ting engraving Is
too small matter TO We taken into
In a work that We fond
" hope Will lie required Tor genera
lions yet unborn.
Further correspondence shows that
the seal was brought to this country
on the Cunard liner Africa from iiv-
erpool to Halifax, and from HalitaN
to the Bcrmudas on the steamboat
Aloha, and that while running the
blockade TO enter the South, Iienten-
to throw the seal overheard In the |
event of capture by the enemy
Hid II In Her Dress.
An interesting letter throwing light
on tho manner In when the seal was
taken from Richmond is that of Thoo-
dor ]. Pickett son OF Colonci John
r. PICKETT. now living in New York
city, to Gaiilard Hunt' uotcu Nd! -
1872. hYving been secured since Mr..
Hunt began his investigation. 1t says:
"Rcferring to our conversation about
the Confederate seal, ! remember very
we'll Mrs. Bromwcll saving she carried
the Great Seal of tho Confcdcracy in
her hustle out OF Eichmond when the
government evacuated that
city when the Union forces took pos
session. Later in 1865 she brought IL
y al. cat
Mrs BromwclI was the wife of VIII
liam !. Bromwell who had control
of what Is known s the Confederate
archives, and thcv Were sold to the
government Of tho United states
through my father, the late John T..
Pickett, as attorney for Mr.. Bromwel''
and were flied in the Treasury Depart