Rensselaer Union, Volume 10, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 March 1878 — Searching for a Lost Inheritance. [ARTICLE]

Searching for a Lost Inheritance.

The clerks in the archive-rooms of the State Department and the Departments of Justice, and outsiders whose business called them to those rooms, have been accustomed, during the past two or three months, to see an old, gray-haired, handsome gentleman, attired in black of somewhat old-fash-ioned cut, enter those rooms almost daily. Under permission, of the clerk ih charge, and often with the assistance of some subordinate who is not at the time otherwise employed, he turns over ‘and examines old and musty documents, smelling with the mold of many years, in search of something, evidently of m'U6h importance to him. It is noticeable that everything in the form of a box is subjected to the utmost scrutiny by the “Aged Hunter,” as the clerks have dubbed him. He turrsover and handles every document in every box which he comes across in the old lumber department, and then replaces them with another careful examination. What he is looking for is known to but a few clerks, who nave been inquisitive enough to make inquiries. The old gentleman never volunteers any information concerning himself, but, when asked, never refused to tell his story with a good-natured smile, evidently pleased that any one should be interested in a matter which has become, it might! be said, almost the object of his life- “ , The other day, after he had completed a two hours' fruitless search in the Department of Justice, he put his coat on and sat down by one of the tables for a moment’s rest. I took a ehair by him and entered into a general conversation. Bringing the talk gradually to the object of his search, I finally asked: “Why are you always searching among these dirty alcoves, and what are you hunting for?” “ A box,” was the reply. Noting my surprise and incredulity, he hastened to add: “ Yes, a box, primarily—for that is the only direct clue I have in my hunt —but* really, some old papers.. If you have time I will tell you why I am hunting fpr those papers.” I replied that I would be very glad to listen to him. After warning me that he would make a .somewhat 'long tale of it, he began. I repeat what he said as correctly as it is possible for one to remember it:, “lam from Pennsylvania, and my name Is Charles Wickes. -I am one of the twenty living descendants of Capt. Alexander Wickes, of Revolutionary fame. We have a claim against the Government which is clearly established, but certain papers which form, the only missing chain in the evidence of thy 'justness of that claim are miss-1 ing, and these papers I am searching | for. But to go back and begin at the beginning The olaim is for compen-1 sauon for services rendered in 1776 and . 1777 to the Colonies b)- Wickes as a kaval CoamMlder 1775. before the J ’ . . .t - ■ ■ .

Declaration of Independence, he fitted out a vessel of his own at Philadelphia, manned her and started on a cruise. Coasting off the Indies he captured an English vessel with a valuable canto, and successfully brought her into Philadelphia through the British blockade. His energy, youth—being only about twen-ty-seven years of age—and siiooeflHful privateering commended him to the Colonial authorities. While the Colonies were represented at Paris by Arthur Lee, Silas Deane and Benjiunjn Franklin, he took his vessel Id that city and received from them authority to prey upon English commerce,' with directions to send all his prises to Nantes. He captured several prizes, and so pleased the Colonial representatives by his daring and skill that they gave him command of a snail squadron of. three vessels to cruise in high waters. ‘He divided his force, and by cruising on the west coast of Ireland, in the Irish Sea and in St. George’s Channel, carried terror to the hearts of all interested in English commerce. His prizes he sent, as per instructions, to Nantes. Their number was fifty. They were sold there by an agent of the Colonial Government, but neither Capt. Wickes nor his heirs have ever received a cent of the prize-money due him. The agent who sold the vessels was Thomas Morris, the half-brother of Robert Morris, the great financier of the Revolution. Repeated representations were made to Lee, Deane and Franklin that he was untrustworthy, but he was allowed to continue in his place out of favor to Robert Morris, who was loth to be convinced of the bad character of his halfbrother. He was finally convinced, and by letter sternly reproved him. Soon after this Thomas Morris, the agent, died, and the French Government, acting under local laws, assumed control of all the moneys, papers and accounts of sales left by him. Subsequently they were, through the Colonial representative at Paris, transmitted to Robert Morris at Philadelphia. Before their transmission Wickes had started on his return to this country. He never reached his destination. His vessel was foundered in a bay off Newfoundland. She was a total loss, and of the crew the cook alone escaped to tell the tale. “ The Colonial Congress repeatedly asked Robert Morris to give an account of the sales of the captures at Nantes by his brother Thomas, and he not complying a resolution was passed severely censuring him. In 1806 the great financier died a bankrupt, all his effects being placed in the hands of the Marshal of Philadelphia, John Hall. In the inventory of his assets mention is made of a box containing papers not belonging to the estate. The box was brought to Washington and contained, we suppose, a history of the various acts of Thomas Morris and a record of the sales. This Lox, if the papers still remain in it, or the papers if they have been removed, is the object of my search. If successful we can then go before Congress with a complete history of the whole case and plead our cause to be righted. “I have here,” drawing forth a long list, “ the names of all the vessels captured by Wickes, the names of their Commanders and a general schedule of their cargoes. The case is analogous to that of John Paul Jones, with the exception that the former received his authority for cruising and capturing from Congress, while Wickes received it from the Colonial representatives at Paris. Such is the story and the reason why lam digging down among the archives of the Government. lam looking for my inheritance. Good day.” The old gentleman arose, and, after shaking hands, left the Department.. I have taken the pains to find out where he stays. He boards in one of the nicest private houses, in a fashionable portion of the city, and is apparently by no means bad off. so far as this world’s goods are concerned. He is not the least bit crazy, and it is, therefore, strange that he should be devoting his time to searching for that which he has but the slightest chance of finding, and which if he did find would be of little service to him. Perhaps he does it under the conviction that he is righting himself and relatives. He evidently finds his fruitless search an absolute strange.— Washington Cor. St. Louis Post.