Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-09-26
TREASURY RELICS
Historical Treasures on File In
the Auditors Office.

The archives OF the United States
treasury are rich with relics. In the
files Of the office of the auditor Of the
treasury department may be seen the
Cancelled check showing the payment
to Lafayette in 1924 Of 100000 by the
United States 'in consideration of his
services and sacrifices in the war of
the Revolution" william a. Craw-
ford, then secretary OF the treasury,
signed the warrant and in the char.
ncteristic French handwriting on the
reverse is the Endorsement Of Lafa-
yette A CANCELLED check or warrant
for S15.o0o.0 900 represents the payment
for the Louisiana purchase under the
treaty OF 1903.
The purchase under the treaty, char
acterized at the time as Stewards fol-
~" of Alaska is evidenced by a war
rant for $500, 900. signed by F. E.
Spinner, who at the time was secre-
tnry OF the treasury. The wording OF
the warrant begins and runs. Pay TO
the undersigned envoy extraordinary
and minister plenipotendsry OF his
majesty the emperor OF all the Rus
sias" This warrant called for pay
ment in coin and was so paid through
the Riggs bank. then a private bank
ing institution OF Washington. after
being Endorsed by Edward de Stoecke.
the Russian minister at that time.
The purchase Of the Philippine Is
lands from Spain is represented in the
important financial transactions Of tue
government by four warrants OF So
100000 each. AS a treaty cannot be
entered into by one country directly
with one with which II Is at war. the
warrants were Endorsed by Jules Cam.
bon, the French minister. who had del
eguted authority TO represent the Span
ish government
The Panama canal purchase repre-
scented the largest financial transaction
OF the government. The payment was
made by common draft, payable to
u. Pierpont Morgap & Co.. special dis
bursting agent" through whom IL was
paid 70 the French company. the for
mer owner. The late J. Pierpont Mor
gan himself Endorsed the draft A
short time previous there had been is
sued a warrant for $4,000, 600. cover
ing the cost OF the canal zone. an area
OF ten miles on each side OF the canal
AS these cancelled checks are held as
receipts, IL could happen. in case Of
their loss. that the government might
not be able TO show that the moneys
were actually paid
Not less interesting as relics are "Ac-
counts-G. Washington with the Unit
ed States. commencing June. 1878. and
ending June. 1888. comprehending
space Of eight years" Under the cap
ton are three or four dilapidated calf
bound account books in the haudwrlt-
ing Of the great American patriot
These accounts were mostly kept while
he was on the march. but they were
brought mp with great accuracy. from
day 10 day.
At the end OF each book there is
comprehensive recapitulation. Individ-
ual money and funds OF the govern
ment expended by him are specifically
indicated. In a footnote he calls at
tention TO particular item which he
appeared TO have paid. but for which
he had no voucher. He deducted the
amount OF the item from his credit
Until the matter could be definitely set
lied All OF his accounts are express
ed in English money.
contemporaneous account book kept
by Caleb Gibbs shows the personal ex-
penses of Washington and his military
family" meaning. no doubt. his i'm
mediate staff. The entries are usually
headed. Headquarters. on the march"
For the most part they cover purchases
Of food supplies, but now and then are
such entries as:
ITO cash for broom that Peter
bought some time ago. sixpence."
Cash paid for mending the cha riot,
shilling"
Agreed with Peggy for 4 shillings
per month for the generals washing
and 4 shillings per dozen for the gen
tlemen OF the family"
Among other things OF interest IN the
auditors Office are books showing al
lowances to members OF congress TO
and from Washington. In the Thir-
teenth congress S9OS for mileage is re-
ccipted in a faint. uncertain hand ID
Webster" A payment OF $500 for III
days attendance is shown 20 have
been made to Henry Clay. - Harper's
Weekly.