Milford chronicle., 1913-09-19
TREASURY RELICS
Historical Treasures on File In
the Auditors Office.
ACCOUNTS OF G. WASHINGTON.

These Cover a Period Of Eight Years
and Are In the Handwriting Of the
Great Patriot-Reoeipts Signed by
Daniel Webster and Henry Clay.
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
IN LAFAYETTE in 1924 of 100000 by the
limited States ''in consideration Of his
services and sacrifices in the war of
the Revolution" William II. Craw-
ford. then secretary Of the treasury.
signed the warrant. and in the char
acteristic French handwriting on the
reverse is the Endorsement of Lafa-
yette. A Cancelled check or warrant
for S15,OOO,O00 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
w." Of Alaska is evidenced by a war
rant for 81 100000. signed by f. E.
Spinner, who at the time was secre-
tary OF. the treasury. The wording of
the warrant begins and runs, Pay to
the undersigned envoy extraordinary
and minister plenipotentiary 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 indorsed 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 the
government by four warrants Of So
100000 each. As a treaty cannot be
entered into by one country directly
with one with which it is at war, the
warrants were indorsed by Jules Cam
bon, the French minister. who had del
egated authority to represent the Span
ish government.
The Panama canal purchase repre-
sented the largest financial transaction
Of the government. The payment was
made by a common draft. payable to
81. PierpOnt Morgan & Co., special dis
bursting agent" through whom it was
paid to the French company. the for
mer owner. The late J. PierpOnt Nor
gan himself indorsed the draft. A
short time previous there had been is
sued a warrant for S1O.O00,000 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, it 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, 1775, and
ending June, 1888, comprehending
space Of eight years." Under the cap
ton are three or four dilapidated calf
bound account books in the handwrt-
ing of the great American patriot.
These accounts were mostly kept while
he was on the march, but they were
brought up with great accuracy from
day to day.
At the end of each book there is
comprehensive recapitulation, Individ-
uaI money and funds Of the govern
ment expended by him are specifically
indicated In a fOOtnOte he calls at
tention to a 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
tied. All Of his accounts are express
ed in English money.
A 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 a broom that Peter
bought some time ago, sixpence."
Cash paid for mending the chariot,
/ 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
lowanees to members Of congress to
and frcm Washington. In the Thir
teenth congress 1903 for mileage is re
ceipted in a faint, uncertain hand I'D.
Webster" A payment of $500 for Ill
days attendance is shown to have
been made to Henry Clay. = Harpers
Weekly.
c.s.-4sE. n..Ll.,,a