Evening star., 1928-03-25

gave his full approval TO the matter
in hand.
Another explanation. however, is that
the vacant space was symbolic Of the
Moslem practice of making very low
bow to the invisible Allah in their de-
votions The vacant space also might
be interpreted as an obeisance Of wor-
ship.
Quite frequently, the bundles of old
papers which the clerks are searching
and putting in order contain flashes of
intense human interest. Nobody knows
what is in those dusty old envelopes
and folders until they are opened. and
10 unite the knots which bind them
is like an excursion into an unmapped
past.
A few weeks ago. for instance. was
found scrap OF paper covered with a
! hasty pencil scrawl which might easily
have been thrown away. But every
thing is subjected 10 critical examina-
ton. This Scrawl proved TO be q note
smuggled out Of the Tower Of London
BY Henry Laurens. first president Of the
/ Continental Congress. who had been
captured by the British while on his
way 10 the Netherlands to negotiate
loan. Laurens. 1t appears. made
friends with some jailer at the tower
and managed 10 have Smuggled out Is
notes. in the hope that some one of
them would find its wav into the hands
OF the American Minister in France.
( The Ii others never were heard of
again. The history of this particular
copy is not known. Somehow or other.
| 1t got into the papers of the State De-
partment
The unfortunate patriot evidently was
beginning to suspect that he had been
forgotten by his friends at home, and
that no efforts had been made to OBJ
tain his exchange He wrote:
Tower Of London. 20 Dec. 1881.
gentlemen, almost Is months have
been closely confined and inhumanly
treated and even now have not a pros
pect Of relief, The treaty for exchange
Is abortive, There has been languor
and there is neglect somewhere. I beg
you will no longer delay the only sDeedy
and efficacious means OF nv delivery
am full az love and respect for voi,
friend will trace the address in ink
HENRY LAURENS."
The note was addressed 10 the
gentlemen of the Continental Congress
Evidently the friend" kept his word
The address was traced over with ink
and IN some mysterious way reached
the colonies.
OEE Of the most interesting OF the
old treaties which recently have
been restored is that written on parch-
ment and signed by George Washing
ton between the United States and the
following Indian tribes: wyandottes.
DeiawareS, ShawneSS. Ottawas. Chipe-
was. PutawatmeS. MiamiS, Eel Rivers,
WeeaS, KickapooS PlankaShawS and
kaSkas!as This treaty was concluded
Angust 3, l776, by Gen. Anthony
1t was signed by three representa-
tiveS or each tribe. The names OF the
Indians were written BY the American
general and then each individual drew
picture Of some bird. fish or mammal,
his Indian signature, opposite his name.
seal was placed against each sigma
ture. This manuscript Is In excellent
state Of preservation.
The Louisiana purchase treaty. SiSned
BY Napoleon Bonaparte. was on parch-
ment incloSed between heavy purple
velvet covers and sealed by cord of
silk passing through the sheets and
embedded az the other end IN sealing
wax. contained In circular box OF gold.
which weighs more than pound.
A treaty signed by Queen Victoria
shortly after the Civil War Is sealed In
\ similar fashion, but the box contain