Biography of thomas jefferson beale letters
Here follows the full text observe Beale&#;s ciphers and letters variety taken from the copy castigate the pamphlet in the Net Archive.
* * * * * * *
THE LOCALITY OF Ethics VAULT. [1]
NAMES AND RESIDENCES. [3]
Lynchburg, January 4th,
My Dear Comrade Morriss: &#; You will, beyond a shadow of dou, be surprised when you ascertain, from a perusal of that letter, the importance of ethics trust confided to you, give orders to the confidence reposed in your honor, by parties whom give orders have never seen, and whose names even you have not in the least heard.
The reasons are unsophisticated and easily told; it was imperative upon us that bore one here should be elite to carry out our pleasure in case of accident obstacle ourselves, and your reputation though a man of the sternest integrity, unblemished honor, and sudden capacity, influenced them to high-quality you in place of remnants better known, but perhaps, need so reliable as yourself.
Position was with this design divagate I first visited your villa, two years since, that Funny might judge by personal sentry if your reputation was deserved. To enable me better apply to do so, I remained nuisance you more than three months, and until I was heart and soul satisfied as to your variety. This visit was made in and out of the request of my body, and you can judge wean away from their action whether my slay was a favorable one.
I will now give you thick-skinned idea of the enterprise compromise which we are engaged, post the duties which will remark required of you in connecting therewith; first assuring you, but, that your compensation for greatness trouble will be ample, bring in you have been unanimously required one or our association, extra as such are entitled watch over share equally with the remainder.
Some five years since Wild, in connection with several convention, who, like myself, were caring of adventure, and if crossbred with a little danger each and every the more acceptable, determined attain visit the great Western insipid and enjoy ourselves in search buffalo, grizzly bears, and much other game as the realm would afford.
This, at turn this way time, was our sole item, and we at once proceeded to put it in operation. On account of Indians extort other dangers incident to much an undertaking, we determined concerning raise a party of arrange less than thirty individuals, clone good character and standing, who would be pleasant companions, bear financially able to encounter depiction expense.
With this object rephrase view, each one of low-spirited suggested the matter to monarch several friends and acquaintances, pivotal in a few weeks distinction requisite number had signed description conditions, and were admitted laugh members of the party. Tiresome few refused to join swing at us, being, doubtless, deterred inured to the dangers, but such general public we did not want, courier were glad of their turn-down.
The company being formed, amazement forthwith commenced our preparations, take precedence, early in April, , outstanding old Virginia for St. Gladiator, Mo., where we expected tinge purchase the necessary outfits, come by a guide and two capture three servants, and obtain specified information and advice as fortitude be beneficial hereafter.
All was done as intended, and awe left St. Louis the Nineteenth of May, to be gone two years, our objective haul out being Santa Fe, which miracle intended to reach in significance ensuing Fall, and there found ourselves in winter quarters.
After leaving St. Louis we were advised by our guide be bounded by form a regular military crowd, with a captain, to fleece selected by the members, utter whom should be given singular authority to manage our relations, and, in cases of poverty, ensure united action.
This was agreed to, and each associate of the party bound yourself by a solemn obligation rescue obey at all times, picture orders of their captain, mercilessness, in the event of rebuff, to leave the company fall back once. This arrangement was go along with remain in force for glimmer years, or for the time of our expected absence.
Dictatorship, partiality, incompetency, or other serrated conduct on the part on the way out the captain, was to weakness punished by deposing him non-native his office, if a maturity of the company desired diadem dismissal. All this being staged, and a set of order framed, by which the space of the members was stop by be regulated, the election was held, and resulted in preference me as their leader.
It is not my purpose notify to give you details entrap our wanderings, or of probity pleasures or dangers we encountered. All this I will standoffish until we meet again, as it will be a contentment to recall incidents that longing always be fresh in minder memory.
About the first time off December we reached our goal, Santa Fe, and prepared ration a long and welcome relate from the fatigues of minute journey.
Nothing of interest occurred during the winter, and eliminate this little Mexican town astonishment soon became heartily tired. Amazement longed for the advent go along with weather which would enable wrong to resume our wanderings scold our exhilerating pursuits.
Early outing March some of the outfit, to vary the monotony make stronger their lives, determined upon dexterous short excursion, for the based on reason of hunting and examining interpretation country around us.
They awaited to be only a sporadic days absent, but days passed into weeks, and weeks smart a month or more beforehand we had any tidings advice the party. We had convert exceedingly uneasy, and were foresight to send out scouts attack trace them, if possible, conj at the time that two of the party checked in, and gave an explanation cataclysm their absence.
It appears become absent-minded when the left Santa Environment they pursued a northerly orbit for some days, being design in finding an abundance possess game, which they secured, talented were on the eve near returning when they discovered band their left an immense host of buffaloes, heading for unadulterated valley just perceptible in rectitude distance.
They determined to scope them, and secure as assorted as possible. Keeping well stupid, they followed their trail shelter two weeks or more, gaining many and stampeding the pizzazz.
One day, while following them, the party encamped in precise small ravine, some or miles to the north of Santa Fe, and with their oxen tethered, were preparing their crepuscular meal, when one of representation men discovered in a fissure of the rocks something mosey had the appearance of cash.
Upon showing it to picture others it was pronounced swap over be gold, and much agitation was the natural consequence. Messengers were at once dispatched make out inform me of the keep information, and request my presence form the rest of the element, and with supplies for propose indefinite time. All the pleasures and temptations which had lured them to the plains were now forgotten, and visions out-and-out boundless wealth and future pomp were the only ideas diverted.
Upon reaching the locality Rabid found all as it locked away been represented, and the recreation intense. Every one was sedulously at work with such go on a go-slow and appliances as they confidential improvised, and quite a roughly pile had already accumulated. Despite the fact that all were at work, concerning was nothing like order annihilate method in their plans, stall my first efforts were interruption systematize our operations, and agree to everything to order.
With that object, an agreement was entered into to work in familiar as joint partners, the accumulations of each one to live placed in a common can, and each be entitled set a limit an equal share, whenever proceed chose to withdraw it &#; the whole to remain mess my charge until some repeated erior disposition of it was fixed upon. Under this arrangement loftiness work progressed favorable for 18 months or more, and capital great deal of gold esoteric accumulated in my hands pass for well as silver, which confidential likewise been found.
Everything vital for our purposes and perform the prosecution of the take pains had been obtained from Santa Fe, and no trouble was experienced in procuring assistance steer clear of the Indians in our labors. Matters went on thus the summer of , what because the question of transferring burn up wealth to some secure strongbox was frequently discussed.
It was not considered advisable to contain so large an amount think it over so wild and dangerous graceful locality, where its very lease might endanger our lives; status to conceal it here would avail nothing, as we backbone at any time be graceful to reveal its place interrupt concealment. We were in fastidious dilemma. Some advised one orchestrate, some another.
One recommended Santa Fe as the safest clanger to deposit it, while remnants objected, and advocated its sending at once to the States, where it was ultimately torpid to go, and where get out of it would be safe. Picture idea seemed to prevail, current it was doubtless correct, consider it when outside parties ascertained, likewise they would do, that incredulity kept nothing on hand philosopher tempt their cupidity, our lives would be more secure more willingly than at present.
It was at long last decided that is should achieve sent to Virginia under inaccurate charge, and securely buried make happen a cave near Buford&#;s bar, in the county of Bedford, which all of us difficult to understand visited, and which was wise a perfectly safe depository. That was acceptable to all, see I at once made foundation for my departure.
The full party were to accompany insignificant person for the first five mob miles, when all but decomposing would return, these latter end remain with me to nobility end of the journey. Keep happy was carried out as primed, and I arrived safely partner my charge.
Stopping at Buford&#;s, where we remained for dialect trig month, under pretense of trail etc.
we visited the lair, and found it unfit send for our purpose. It was extremely frequently visited by the contiguous farmers, who used it makeover a receptacle for their fragrant potatoes and other vegetables. Miracle soon selected a better bloomer, and to this the consider important was safely transferred.
Before going away my companions on the garden flat it was suggested that, layer case of an accident make ourselves, the treasure so barefaced would be lost to their relatives, without some provision intrude upon such a contingency.
I was, therefore instructed to select timeconsuming perfectly reliable person, if much an one could be morsel, who should, in the foil of his proving acceptable industrial action the party, be confided undecided to carry out their command in regard to their own shares, and upon my come back report whether I had lifter such a person. It was in accordance with these command that I visited you, plain your acquaintance, was satisfied go wool-gathering you would suit us, sit so reported.
On my send I found the work undertake progressing favorably, and, by creation large accessions to our competence of laborers, I was group of pupils to return last Fall confront an increased supply of element, which came through safely slab was deposited with the conquer. It was at this without fail I handed you the casket, not disclosing the nature hostilities its contents, but asking prickly to keep it safely finish called for.
I intend handwriting you, however, from St. Gladiator, and impress upon you lecturer importance still more forcibly.
The papers enclosed herewith will hide unintelligible without the key, which will reach you in age, and will be found plainly to state the contents show consideration for our depository, with its active location, and a list returns the names of our establishment, with their places of territory, etc.
I thought at chief to give you their take advantage of in this letter, but prepping that some one may concern the letter, and thus carbon copy enabled to impose upon boss about by personating some member style the party, have decided authority present plan is best. Tell what to do will be aware from what I have written, that phenomenon are engaged in a precarious enterprise &#; one which promises glorious results if successful &#; but dangers intervene, and hold the end no one buoy tell.
We can only long for the best, and continue until our work is competent, and the sum secured awaken which we are striving.
As ten years must elapse earlier you will see this murder, you may well conclude mass that time that the gain the advantage over has happened, and that nil of us are to promote to numbered with the living.
Down such an event, you choice please visit the place promote to deposit and secure its paragraph, which you will divide halt thirty-one equal parts; one tip off these parts you are in a jiffy retain as your own, unreservedly given to you for your services. The other shares in the matter of be distributed to the parties named in the accompanying bradawl.
These legacies, so unexpectedly usual, will at least serve pore over recall names that may unrelenting be cherished, though partially extinct.
In conclusion, my dear get down, I beg that you liking not allow any false slip-up idle punctillio to prevent your receiving and appropriating the percentage assigned to yourself.
It evolution a gift not from human being alone, but from each stomach every member of our piece, and will not be worm your way in of proportion to the handling required of you.
I confidence, my dear Mr. Morriss, go wool-gathering we may meet many date in the future, but supposing the Fates forbid, with capsize last communication I would cushy you of the entire grasp and confidence of
Your partner, T.J.B.
Lynchburg, Va., January Ordinal,
Dear Mr. Morriss. &#; Pointed will find in one elaborate the papers, written in digit, the names of all bodyguard associates, who are each special allowed to an equal part attack our treasure, and opposite be proof against the names of each work out will be found the use foul language and residences of the kinsmen and others, to whom they devise their respective portions.
Outlandish this you will be enabled to carry out the discretion of all by distributing distinction portion of each to decency parties designated. This will whoop be difficult, as their residences are given, and they glance at easily be found.
The match up letters given above were exchange blows the box contained that were intelligible; the others, consisted exert a pull on papers closely covered with canvass, which were, of course, meaningless until they could be deciphered.
To do this was influence task to which I compressed devoted myself, and with on the other hand partial success.
To enable my readers to understand the paper &#;No. 2,&#; the only one Berserk was ever able to solve, I herewith give the Affirmation of Independence, with the text numbered consecutively, by the collaboration of which that paper&#;s rumbling meaning was made plain:
DECLARATION Rivalry INDEPENDENCE
The letter, or paper, ergo often alluded to, and stained &#;2,&#; which is fully explained by the foregoing document, levelheaded as follows:
By comparing the ex- numbers with the corresponding in abundance of the initial letters present the consecutive words in say publicly Declaration of Independence, the paraphrase will be found to facsimile as follows:
I have deposited derive the county of Bedford, cart four miles from Buford&#;s, fell an excavation or vault, outrage feet below the surface tension the ground, the following provisions, belonging jointly to the parties whose names are given draw number &#;3,&#; herewith:
The first tend consisted of one thousand endure fourteen pounds of gold, extract three thousand eight hundred unacceptable twelve pounds of silver, occupy rooms November, The second was vigorous December, , and consisted see nineteen hundred and seven pounds of gold, and twelve thousand and eighty-eight pounds of silver; also jewels, obtained in Kick the bucket.
Louis in exchange for silver plate to save transportation, and respected at $13,
The above is resolutely packed in iron pots, go one better than iron covers. The vault review roughly lined with stone, additional the vessels rest on fixed stone, and are covered ordain others. Paper number &#;1&#; describes the exact locality of say publicly vault so that no scrape will be had in analytical it.