The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, July 25, 1897, Page 26

26 THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, SUNDAY, JULY 25 1897. NATIONAL HISTORY TOLD IN A BATCH OF LONG-HIDDEN LETTERS =GN a remarkable discovery that was made in this City a X short time since is a strange exemplification of the saying that ‘‘The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones.” The story is one of absorbing interest and will ap- peal particularly to the pionesrs of this City, as it deals with one who was well known and popular in the early days and who died when San Francisco was practically in its infancy, without his friends and acquaintances here knowing of the inner secrets of his life. It might aptly be termed a history told in letters—the history of a man who helped make Nationa! history, a philanthropist of philanthro- pists, and yet who died almost unwept, unhonored and unsung when misfortune had swept away the larger portion of the princely fortune that in his prosperous days was dispensed with regal liberality. Yet it was not the evil that lived—for a man of such high character could not have been wholly bad—but the good that was buried and then came to light again when the doer was growing misty in the minds of the men who knew him intimately and met him in business and social life day by day. That the history of such a man has never been told in publi¢ prin} is almost as remarkable as the history itself, but is probably accounted for by the fact that in the days when he was looked up to by the great men of the town the use of type was much more restricted than it is at present, and when with depleted fortunes and advancing years he s BT /g—c«w A 5;4‘4,? C&A,‘._"rg/g_,e_ - /u/i_ Crnoialtn. 4 “Here, gentlemen,” he said, “‘are two boxes that will undoubtedly muke the buyer rich. They are filled, you see, with letters—pricaless documents, no doubt. Who knows but what they contain bonds or currency, or something even more valuable. Come, make a bid. I'Il sell the lot to any one who wants it and to the highest bidder. Won’t some one make an offer and be bappy?” It was no use—the audience weculd not-‘‘enthuse,” but some one finally bid a few cents, and by slow degrees the offers were raised to a couple of dollars. Then the auctioneer grew weary and knocked down the chests to a second-hand dealer, who sent them home to be looked over at his leisure. Rich they were, indeed, but in memories and the history of a noble heart—not in bonds. The second-hand dealer was disappointed in his purchase. He found only & disarranged mass of age-yeliowed letters, written, in the majority, to and by a man named Burrows, whose name he had never heard. Nothing of value came to light, and in diszust he put them out ir his yard and left them there to rot if they would. A few weeks later he meutioneds to Leopold Greenberg, a dealer in antiquities and curios at 434 California street, the fact that he had bonght a quantity of old letters and deplored the fact that he had found nothing to recompense him for his outlay. Greenberg’s curiosity was excited, and he consulted a friend named E W. Smith, who is in the Government employ, and who is an enthusiastic collector of stamps. They decided to buy the chest of letters. Greenberg in hopes of find- ing some old document to add to his collection, and Smith of increasing his stock of philatelic treasures. When the chests were finally safely in T Aica e il L i J%M%ofi——u_fi} T el vl e . / Vo BT, fec oo ;c,ua:/&‘,wwl_ Letter From Benjamin Harrison, Father of the Last President of That Name, Indorsing Silas E. Burrows for the Position of Consul to Liverpool. sought the El Dorado of the West in the hope of recouping himself he was lost in the struggling throng that was left all behind that assisted them not in their search for gold, and few noted his absence when the final call came. Yet this man was the bencfactor of nations and princes and Presi- dents, and the friend of kings. He lived several years In this City and died here, and few, if any, knew the history of his life, because his re- tiring and secretive nature did not permit him to herald to the world the deeds he had done. Men cared little for the history or records of their ‘neighbors in the “days of old and the days of gold,” and many a man ived and died without receiving the honor and fame that was accorded o those who were far more unworthy. Such a man was Silas E. Burrows. Several months ago an auction firm of this City was selling off the cuntents of one of those old warehouses that had been built in the early days, and having passed the period of its usefulness was condemned to be torn down to make way for a structure more in accordance with modern ideas. Few people beyond curiosity-seekers and those in search of bar- gains in old junk and antiquities were atiracted to the salein the weather- beaten, ghostly, old ruin. The out-of-date articles that were offered went for a song or less and the auctioneer’s voice was growirg husky from his efforts to excite his auditors to a bidding pitch. Finally the belpers drageed from a musty corner, where they had evidentiy lain for vears, a couple of old chests that showed the wear anda tear of many years of service. The dust of decades gummed their covers, and the auctioneer looked doubtfully at them before he summoned cour- age to call them to the attention of his patrons. their possession they delved into them with all the enthusiasm and abandon of collectors, and spent days in arranging and reading the musty letters. A rich find it was, indeed, in unwritten history of natural interest and memories of noble deeds in the days of gallantry. The letters were in & remarkable state of preservation, considering that they dated back to 1827—seventy years ago. Arranged according to dates, they told a strange and romantic story— the story of a man descended from the military and nava! neroes of 1812, who fought England on the land and sea and aided to establish these United States as one of the great nations of the earth; the story of a man who in the zenith of his prosperity spent his mon-y like a prince, and to Whom no one with a worthy or needy cause apealed in vain; the story of a man who succorea Princes or made them tremble as the case might be; who came to the rescue of ex-Presidents of this country in times of financial distress, and who did as much to make the name of his country an honored and respected one throughout the world as any man of his time; the story of a man who, when broken in fortune and old in years, appealed in vain to the Nation thatshould have delighted to honor him, and died in California in early days without the hisiory of his deeds having been generally known. A man whose armed privateers plowed the Spanish main to bring him riches that he gave 1o the poor, who opened the ports of Japan to the world—a veritable Monte Cristo. To-day his son, Ogden Hoffman Burrows, follows in his father’s foot- steps. Not so. great as his sire perhaps, but wealthy, respected, an honored guest at the courts of Europe and an imnmate of the inner circles of the best foreign society as well as a member of the Four Hundred at home. i e fw & o Lot o Uhany oy JOHTEG flffluMaMV%Q aa ,{,‘63," Co L e o el i M. el ”‘}““‘-3 pidy Yo wf [t B ftresitetfonnzey Hy il Letter From William H. Seward Introducing Burrows to a Political Colleague. Silas E. Burrows came of good stock. His ancestors were men of the times of the Revolution, and several of his near relatives were officers in the army of General Washington. Of them little is known, except that tney were patriots and fought manfully for their country. At least one of them must have been very close to General Washing- ton, for in a letter printed in another portion of this article Burrows speaks of having in his possession articles belonging to the Father of His Country that could hardly have fallen into the hands of a stranger. Daring the war ot 1812 the name of Burrows was also very prominent and honored. It was an elder brother, Burrows, who com- manded the United Btates warship Enterprise in her famous battle with the British briz Boxer off the coast of Maine at the opening of the war. The Enterprise captured the Boxer, but when the decks were cleared of the wreckace and the fearful evidences of the carnage it was found that both the commanders were mortally wounded. Captain Burrows lived to receive the sword of the conquered English- man, and his dying words were: “I am satisfied. I die content.” Silas E. Burrows inherited an ample fortune from his father, who came of old English stock and migrated to America among tnose who followed the pioneers of the Mayflower. His father’s vessels traded with all the world, and the young man, by dint of perseverance and a brilliant business mind, coupled with a magnetic personality, increased the fleet and the Burrows fortunes uatil in 1825 he was recognized as one of the leading ship-owners and merchants of the United States, if not the world. Aole, trusted and audacious in his ventures, he commanded the re- spect of his fellow-citizens and was looked upon as a leader when any great public enterprise was on foot. Here the history told in letters begins. Ak At fi/‘—"—'/‘ i 2 T T et e e i R Z 0o zr%._‘vf“ 7 Lo L5 of T fonmme %.%WM /-——-v-/—f«v S Cotlipa > Letter From John C. Calhoun Testifying to the Soundness of Burrew’s Political Views. fl-«r‘\"“‘ O~ 7 LTl v AT Among the epistles are four from prominent statesmen that are of particular interest as showing the high standing of Burrows among the leaders of National affairs. The first is irom Benjamin Harrison, the father of the last President of that name, and relates to the great obiigations that the first President Harrison was under to Burrows. 1t appears that after his return from assisted by the recipient of the letter. His son’s letter reads as follows: BERKELEY CHAR CITY, June 1, 1841 Silas E. Burrows Esq—DEAR SIr: I heerd that you have sppiied to the execu- tive of the United States for the consulate at Liverpool. It would afford me great pleasure to hear o1 the success of your application, as I am under a thorough conviction that any service that the late President Harrison could render you would gladly have been done by him to one whom I know he in all respects thought most worthy, and to whom I know he was under great personal obliga- tions. Very truly, BENJAMIN HARRISON. Another letter from one of the most celebrated men this country ever produced is that of John C. Calhoun, who wrote apparently at Burrows’ Weton o Lo 4;,,%7 e s Jeoctec L7 <, e S Y 2aed ArPerenac 7,.»-—,9“‘,(, %.’-u- Lesier 2ot otrleh siliisie S (R R B Sy S Liirny adtrloss Pravy 4,«4-«/«..»(',.4,» Jincoinajar Mt Bk 75 Loty £ Commsne fou Lk Bairtntinand e He> D> 2 G ot B lte T ;rfaw Cotcste s/ }/de/v/f e Bonrne 2 o Autograph Letter of President Zachary Taylor Acknowledg- ing the Receipt of a Pamphlet From Burrows. request a statement to the effect that Burrows' financial and politisal views were sound. He wrote: Fort HILL, 9 April, 1849. Dear Sir: In answer to yoursof the 23d of March, it affords me pleasure to state that during the many years I have known you your opinions and course of conduct heve ever been sound as far as my observations and recollections extend on the great questions which now divide the North and South, both in reference to the rights of the latter and the duties of the former. With great respect, I am yours, etc., J. C. CALHOUN. Siias E. Burrows Esq. William H. Seward also wrote in a similar strain. A Presidential autograph appears at the bottom of a letter written by President Zachary Taylor in acknowledgine the receipt of a pamphlet sent by Burrows. It is as follows: BATON ROUGE, La., November 19, 1848. Dear Sir: I had the pleasure some time since to receive your kind favor ot June 1 and the little volume which accompanied it. The latter I have read with much interest, containing, as it does, your correspondence with many distin- guished personages, and memorials of your liberality to eminent patriots of our own and South American republics. It will afford me great pleasure to meet you or to hear from you should you find leisure to wrize. Meanwhile Iremain, your friend and obedient servant, Silas E. Burrows Esq., New York, N. Y, Within the next few weeks other letters of the greatest interest will ba published, following out and completing one of the most remarkable pere sonal hiatories of the century. Z. TAYLOR. Columbia ex-President Harrison was in great financial straits and was THE CAPTURE OF AN ENORMOUS BASKING SHARK NEAR APTOS The largest basking shark ever caught on the Pacific Coast of which there is any record was towed to Cowell’s wharf at Banta Cruz a few days ago. In fact it must be acknowledged to be one of the largest sharks of the <pecies that has ever been captured. It measured a little over 30 feet, while the giants of the species seldom attain a length of more than 35 feet. The creature brought to Santa Cruz of course attractei crowds, and the two Italian fishermen who captured it re- ceived showers of congratulations on their nerve. According to their story tiev did not get the shark without considerable trouble. The men who captured the shark are professional fishermen known respectively as Charlie and Frank. They speak English none too well, but were able with consid- erable effort to tell how they captured the monster of the deep. It seems that both the men were out to- gether in their small boat fishing off the coast in the vicinity of Aptos. They had a few nets out and were patiently waiting for a school of sardines to come along. It was a beauiiful day and the small boat rose aud fell on the lazy-rolling swell. There was very little breeze, and both of the men felt the influence of the warm sunsh’ne that caused the atmos- phere to quiver and glow with all the glory of a summer on the Pacific. The men nodded and dozed and went about haif asleep, while their boat rocked lazily on the surface of old ocean. Frank and Charlie were most likely lie, “and I guess our time has come. The dreaming of far-off Italy, where the blue | good Lord preserve us.” walers of the Mediterranean lapped the hulis of guaint fishing-boats aud rolled around wharves old in story. Suddenly their dreame were broken. Where there haa been peace was now all commotion. Both men, frightened al- most out of their lives, jumped to their feet and for & few moments thought they were caught in a cyclone. The water for yards around their tiny boat was churned to foam. *‘It’sa whale,” said Frank. *“You are right,” said Char- But it was not a whale, and both men ascertained this fact in a very few mo- ments after they had seen a large gray body appear above the surface of the watsr, “It’s a big ‘basker’ caught in our nets,” both yelied at once. *‘We are in big lueck.” Then the fun commenced. Every move the big fish made only served to tire him and he became more and more entangled every momert. Soon he seemed io lie quite still and the nets were slowly bauled in, but not far. As soon as the monster felt himself being moved he commenced to thrash the water on all sides. He ai- most flew around the boat, but was con- tinually getting himself into the net tighter and tizhter and the fishermen were drawing him in closer and closer. Slowly the monster ceased his struggle and was drawn up close to the boat, only giving an occasional flap of his tail by way of reminder that he was still alive. The moment had come to end the life of their prey and both men stood ready. Each took a boat hook and by gentle touches managed to get the shark with his head close to the stern of the boat. At a given signal Frank jabbed his hook under the monster’s throat and at the same insturt Charlie plunged his pike into its head. Blood spurted in all directions and the shark seemed to become endowed with a new life. It plunged here and there and bumped against the boat several times, al- most upsetting it But the struggle lasted only a short time and the shark lay still, this time for good. The fishermen disentangled their nets and found that they had suffered but little by theconfl ct. They then made the shark fast by a rope and commenced the long pull to Santa Cruz. But it was not hard work to the men, who realized that they had done a very good morning's work. Arrived at the whart it took about a dozen men to hoist the shark to the deck. Not until it was finally stretched out and measured did the men realize what a monster they had caugnt. Like all of its species the big shark was toothless, Men who bad lived along the coast for many years said it was the biggest of its kind they had ever seen. The only part of a shark that is of any value ie its liver, from which an »il is tried that sells at a high vrice. The liver of the one caught at Santa Cruz was cut up into small bits and filled three large barrels. It was the best day’s work the two fishermen had done for many a day, and the best they expect to do for many days to come.