The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1916-04-02

Murder will out" and SO will state
secrets and inside stories of international
dealings buried deep in the archives OF
the State Department, and known only
to a select few who were concerned in
the negotiations.
For instance, when the United States
paid Russia s7,2oO00o for a barren waste
OF fee and rocks now called Alaska. which
few years previous had been on the
market for 81. 100000, the world gasped.
commented, nearly drove Secretary Of
State Seward into a decline with severe
criticism, and then promptly forgot the
incident. And later, when 1t was dis
covered that the United States had pur-
chased a veritable treasure chest OF all
minerals for what now proved to be a
mere pittance, there was less reason to
inquire into the incident
But here's the real story. printed now
for the first time, of how the United
States paid Russia 100000 to keep
England from recognizing the Southern
confederacy during the darkest days of
the civil war.
A large bank in a metropolitan COM
munity is a human clearing house. In
Washington 1t is liable to be a clearIns.
house through which pass State as well
as less important secrets. A bank presi-
dent in Washington who commands the
good listener is liable to learn. not
only the inside" of national politics,
but Of international politics as we'll
Glover Handled Check for Alaska.
Charles c. Glover. president of Riggs
National Bank, few years ago noticed
an elderly man of military bearing APP
parently undecided as to what window
in the Riggs lobby would best serve
!, Il.
sist him, and found him to be one of his
clients. Gen. Simpson. first military gov
ernor of Alaska. The conversation which
ensued turned to Alaska, and Simpson
said that he had seen service there.
Well said Glover. Il had something
to do with the Alaska purchase in a
small way. About the time the negotia-
tions were completed, Mr.. Riggs. then
president Of the bank. came to my desk
and handed me a Treasury warrant
Glover he said. take care of this
warrant in your cash until it is called
for
Il turned the warrant over and looked
at the amount; it was for $7,2OO,OOO. the
purchase price OF Alaska. 1t was made
payable to the Russian minister to the
United States. and ultimately S,OO0. 900
was forwarded to Russia through New
York The remaining 500, 900 went to the
minister"
Well" reJoined Simpson. perhaps I
can tell you an interesting story OF just
what was involved in that 100000 war
rant. After the civil war I went west
to take charge of the several territories.
and later was ordered to Alaska as first
military governor. When l boarded the
train for San Francisco at Chicago
Senator Dawes, OF Massachusetts,. was
aboard. and I met him and travelled
some distance IN his company.
OF course the subject OF Alaska came
up, and he told me this story:
prior to the outbreak of the civil
war arrangements virtually had been
completed for the purchase OF Alaska
from Russia for about 100000. The
civil war interviewed and negotiations
necessarily were suspended.
Now. II is a we'll authenticated fact
that at one time Great Britain was on
the brink OF recognizing the Southern
confederacy. The published letters and