Inside this Newsletter... New Board of Directors · Treasury History On-Line. We have discovered many websites where you and Officers Elected can find a vast wealth of information about former Treasury Secretaries. The Nominating Committee presented a · Treasury Guards. The Department slate of 15 nominees for the 2004-2005 armed its male employees during the Board of Directors of the Association at the Civil War to help protect the Building and Annual Open Meeting on December 10. April 2004 the Department’s operations . Votes were tendered at this meeting by all members of THA who were present.

New Donor Gift for 2004 From the newly-elected Board members, officers were elected by a separate ballot. General membership in THA is only $12 a Officers for 2004-2005 are: Michael D. year. Members who join or renew with a Serlin, President; Mary Ellen Withrow, Vice donation of $50 or more receive a gift that President; Marcus W. Page, Secretary; expresses THA’s thanks and lets the David J. Monroe, Treasurer; and, Thomas

member display his or her support for the P. O’Malley, Board Chairman. Association. Membership at any level is

fully tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. Your dues and donations support Besides the officers, the other directors on THA’s work of preserving Treasury history the Board include several continuing mem- and making it accessible to members and bers and two new members. They are: the public. Donald C. Alexander; Suzanne Cosme (new); William F. Falls; John F. Flood, Jr.; For 2004, THA is offering donors a paper- Abby L. Gilbert; Paula A. Mohr; Clifford R. weight of fine white Carrara marble, the Northup; Judith S. Ochs (new); Charles H. material used for the Cash Room floor. Powers; and, Maggie K. Rindler. The paperweight is 3" square by 1" thick, bearing the THA logo. Each paperweight

ASSOCIATION The Board of Directors meets quarterly to is mounted with a stone with a historic develop new initiatives as well as policy view of the Treasury Building, ca. 1867. and program decisions, with intervening

voting conducted by e-mail. The day-to- Donors at this level may also choose any day operations of THA are managed by the of the 1990’s series of THA ornaments officers and seven committees. The com- that remain in stock. The 2003 donor gift, mittees and chairs are: Executive Commit- a travel alarm clock and calculator, is also tee, Mr. Serlin; Membership Committee, available, but very few remain. THA will Mr. Falls; Commemorative Products Com- not reorder the ornaments and clocks, so mittee, Mr. O’Malley; Finance Committee, if you request one of these items please Mr. Monroe; Programs Committee, Ms. indicate a second and third choice. Withrow; Publications Committee, Ms.

Mohr; and, Public Communications Com- For an easy way to renew your member- mittee, Mr. Powers. ship, visit www.treasuryhistoricalassn.org.

TREASURY HISTORICAL Matthew Brady Photo of the U.S. Treasury Guards, 1865.

See next page for article on this photograph. NEWSLETTER Page 2 NEWSLETTER

Personalities from Treasury’s Past — Treasury’s First “Homeland box onto the stage, after firing the

Security” Unit Provided mortal shots into President Abraham Vast Wealth of Treasury Lincoln, causing a 3 ½ inch tear in the Protection in the Civil War upper right edge of the flag, and a History Available On-Line fracture in Booth’s leg. The original of Historical information about former The Treasury Guards was a regiment of this flag is now on exhibit in the Lin- Treasury secretaries is accessible on male employees of the Department, coln Museum in the lower level of the Internet in ways that most of these formed into a militia during the Civil Ford’s Theater, and duplicates of the men could not have imagined. Below is War, to be available to assist in the de- flag have been placed on the restored a sampling of some of the websites fense of Washington. The Treasury Presidential box in the main theatre which offer a wide variety of historical Guards, with other departmental units, area, just as it had been displayed on facts, images and ideas for further were called up to protect Federal build- the day that Lincoln was shot, as well reading about the men who have held ings in July 1864 when Confederate as in the suite in the this important office. General Jubal Early threatened to in- Treasury Building. vade Washington. Their ongoing re- · www.ustreas.gov/education/ sponsibilities undoubtedly included the Through research by the Treasury history/secretaries/index.html protection of Treasury’s Building, em- Historical Association, identification Interested in what President Tyler’s ployees, stock of currency and coin, and has been made of the Treasury treasury secretary looked like? Want to currency manufacturing operations from Guard officers of 1865. However, no know when served as attack. source reveals which name is associ- secretary? Go to the Treasury cura- ated with each man in the Matthew tor’s website for portraits and answers. Despite their “national defense” mission, Brady photograph. The Regimental the armed Treasury Guards did not be- officers (men in round, brimmed hats · www.americanpresident.org/ come a part of any military organization. and belt across their chests) are be- history/h_home.shtml All male Treasury employees, 18-45, lieved to be Lt. Col. G. B. Kenniston This website focusing on the American except those exempted for health rea- and Major David R. B. Nevin. Each of presidency was developed by The sons, were required to join the Treasury the 10 companies of the Treasury Miller Center of Public Affairs at the Guards. Although it was a common Guard was led by a captain: Com- University of Virginia. Cabinet mem- practice for a gentleman to be allowed pany A, Capt. Green Adams; Com- bers and their biographies are listed for to pay another person to serve in his pany B, Capt. Frank Jones; Com- each presidential administration. For place when he was drafted into the Un- pany C, Capt. William G. Moore (from example, did you know that Daniel ion Army, such exemption from service the War Department); Company D, Manning, who served as Grover Cleve- in the Treasury Guards was not pro- Capt. Samuel B. Morse; Company E, land’s treasury secretary from 1885 to vided to Treasury’s male employees. Capt. F.A. Howard; Company F, Capt. 1887, dropped out of school at age 11? The Treasury Guards, numbering about Levi Beardsley; Company G, Capt. · www.nps.gov/frhi/home.htm 1,000, drilled at least two days each Albert S. White; Company H, Capt. The website for Friendship Hill National week for several hours after the regular Myron A. Tappan; Company I, Capt. Historic Site presents information business hours. The exact location of Isaac Hackett; and Company K, Capt. about ’s home in western their drills does not appear to have been A. Jordan Swartz.

Pennsylvania, biographical details documented. Through rigorous drills On September 27, 1865, Treasury about the man who was the fourth sec- and training, the group was brought to a Secretary Hugh McCulloch requested retary in history (and the longest- high state of discipline and efficiency for that the Treasury Guards be dis- serving Treasury secretary), and a dis- service in the event of an emergency. banded. Secretary of War Edwin cussion of his role in the Whiskey Re- Contrary to the views of many, there are Stanton disbanded the unit by Special bellion. no records that indicate that the Treas- Order 548 on October 16, 1865. This ury Guards had responsibilities for deliv- was one more step in the process by · www.law.emory.edu/FEDERAL/ ering payroll to Union troops in the field. federalist/ which the Nation reunited its states of Interested in learning more about what The women clerks of Treasury bought a the North and the South to build a was up to before flag for the Treasury Guards. It was 6 strong union. he became Treasury’s first secretary? by 6 ½ feet, of a navy blue field, with a large spread-wing American eagle in Treasury Historical Association The Federalist Papers, in which Hamil- P.O. Box 28118 the center holding a sheaf of arrows in ton, John Jay and James Madison ar- Washington, DC 20038-8118 gued for the ratification of the Constitu- the right claw and an olive branch in the tion, can be accessed online. left. Below the eagle, “U.S. TREASURY Message Line: (202) 298-0550 GUARDS” was inscribed in a white rib- (This article is the first of an occasional bon. This flag was loaned to Ford’s Website Address: www.treasuryhistoricalassn.org series on web sources dealing with Theater on Tenth Street on April 14, Treasury’s history.) 1865, as part of the decoration of the E-mail Address:

President’s box. It was this flag that [email protected] assassin John Wilkes Booth caught the spur of his boot, as he leaped from the Inside this Newsletter... Personalities from Treasury’s Past — • Alexander Hamilton Exhibition. The Joseph Nourse, Register, New York Historical Society opens a six- A Life-Long Treasury Career month exhibition on the first Treasury Secretary on August 28. In recent times, Treasury employees usually • Accused Treasury Spy (?). THA’s retire after 25, 30 or 40 years, with portions of guest lecturer for June was historian- author R. Bruce Craig, whose book their service spent in other departments and August 2004 Treasonable Doubt: the Harry Dexter agencies. Rare is the case for a public ser- White Spy Case examines the case of vant to spend half a century at Treasury; but, the accused Assistant Secretary of the at the beginning of our national government, Treasury during the FDR Administration. one of America’s first public servants holds such a distinctive record -- Joseph Nourse.

Nourse, born in London in 1754, moved to Dumbarton House, America with his family in 1769. In 1776, Nourse was appointed as secretary to Conti- Home of America’s nental Army General Charles Lee. Finding military life not to be suitable for him, the fol- “First Civil Servant” lowing year Nourse resigned and sought an- Dumbarton House, the residence of other position, subsequently being appointed Joseph Nourse, is a Federal house as assistant clerk and then deputy secretary museum administered by The National to the Colonial Board of War. This latter role Society of The Colonial Dames of Amer- was the most responsible position available to ica. Built around 1800, the house has someone who was not a member of the Conti- been open for public tours for over 70 nental Congress. In 1778, he was elected sec- years, and contains extensive collec- retary of ordnance and paymaster to the tions of Federal period furniture, silver, Board of War and Ordnance, but resigned glass, paintings, textiles and historic seven months later to move to Philadelphia.

manuscripts. Included in the collections In 1779, Nourse became the Assistant Auditor are various Nourse family artifacts, in- General for the Board of Treasury, and two cluding Joseph Nourse’s appointment years later was elected Register of the Treas- document as first Register of the United ury, a position he held both in the Colonial States Treasury. Board of Treasury and, following the Constitu- tion, in the Department of the Treasury. When The house has been restored to show it President George Washington sought Senate as it might have appeared during the confirmation of his nominated Treasury offi- time of its first resident, Joseph Nourse, cials on September 11, 1789, the nominees and presents an unusual opportunity to included Alexander Hamilton of New York and catch a glimpse of what life was like in several other men, with references to their Washington in the early 1800s. home state; the nomination of Joseph Nourse

th to serve as Register of the Treasury did not On July 10, 2004, the 250 Anniversary cite his home state, but merely recorded his of Nourse’s birth was celebrated in a status as being “in office.” The Senate special commemoration at the House. promptly confirmed these nominations.

Located at 2715 Q Street, NW, in the The duties of Register of the Treasury were to Georgetown section of Washington, DC, keep all accounts of the receipts and expendi- Dumbarton House is open for docent- tures of the public money and of all debts due led public tours on Tuesdays through to or from the U.S. Government…duties of Saturdays at 10:15 a.m., 11:15 a.m., today’s Financial Management Service. TREASURY HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION ASSOCIATION HISTORICAL TREASURY 12:15 p.m., and 1:15 p.m. A nominal Nourse left Treasury in 1829, after serving admission fee is requested. However, under seven Presidents and nine Treasury by special arrangement between Dum- Secretaries, with a career at the Treasury De- barton House and the Treasury Histori- partment and the predecessor Treasury Board cal Association, each THA member may spanning 50 years – a tenure rarely found in enjoy a complimentary tour for one per- public service. son by presenting a copy of this article upon entry to the house museum. (This is the sixth in a series of articles on the people who have shaped Treasury’s history.)

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June Lecture Examines available his research, this court case also established an important prece- Alexander Hamilton: Accused Treasury Spy dent for unsealing grand jury records for their historical value alone. The Man Who Made On June 16, THA sponsored a lecture by historian R. Bruce Craig on an im- Modern America R. Bruce Craig is the director of the portant Cold War espionage case with National Coalition for History (NCH), a If you are planning on visiting New a Treasury Department connection. Washington, D.C. based advocacy York City this fall, you will want to In 1948, former Assistant Secretary of organization that represents the his- see the new exhibition “Alexander the Treasury Harry Dexter White was torical and archival community on Hamilton: The Man Who Made accused, along with Alger Hiss, of Capitol Hill. He also is an adjunct fac- Modern America” at the New York colluding with the Soviets. White, an ulty member at the American Univer- Historical Society. Drawing from important member of the Treasury sity in Washington, D.C., where he the collections of the Museum of the “brain trust” during the Roosevelt and teaches policy history. He holds a City of New York, the Library of Truman administrations, was respon- Ph.D. from American University, and Congress, the New York Historical sible for the creation of the Interna- is currently researching his next book, Society, and other institutions, this tional Monetary Fund and the World a biography of Alger Hiss. exhibit promises to showcase a rich Bank after World War II. The fact that collection of objects and manu- White died shortly after testifying be- ______scripts to tell the story how this fore the House Un-American Activities Treasury Building Notes — American hero “shaped our world - Committee only fueled speculation modern America - perhaps more that he was indeed a Soviet spy and Check Your Knowledge than any of his contemporaries.” that his death was the result of foul play. However, Dr. Craig argues of the Treasury Building Hamilton’s long-lasting contributions that, while White was involved in a and paradoxical life continue to fas- “species of espionage,” his actions fell (Continuing the article begun in December cinate historians and the public. As 2003 edition, which contains facts on East and short of “policy subversion.” Richard Brookhiser, one of the cura- South Wings of the Treasury Building. The North Wing will be covered in the future.) tors of this exhibition, has written, Bruce Craig’s lecture for THA was “as first Treasury secretary, planner drawn from his recently published West Wing… of the Federalist Papers, and ad- book Treasonable Doubt: The Harry • Designed by Isaiah Rogers, with viser to George Washington, Hamil- Dexter White Spy Case (University construction beginning in 1855, ton had a career fit for Mount Rush- Press of Kansas, 2004). the same year as the South Wing. more. Born poor and illegitimate in This study is based on ten years of • Construction slowed due to short- the Caribbean, hated by Thomas research, which in- age of labor and materials, result- Jefferson and John Adams, loved by women - including his wife – and cluded examination of ing in completion four years after FBI and Treasury the South Wing (in 1864). killed in a duel by the Vice President Department records, • Grand design included a triple- of the United States, Hamilton had a dome and skylight in the center, life fit for the tabloids.” as well as oral inter- views with Alger Hiss, over the two spiral stair wells former Attorney Gen- (currently obstructed by elevator The exhibition will be on view from eral Herbert Brownell, shafts and mechanism). August 28, 2004 through February FBI agent Robert • Secretary’s office moved South 28, 2005. The New York Historical Lamphere, and KGB Wing to directly over the West Society is located at 2 West 77th officer General Vitalii G. Pavlov. In Wing’s foyer immediately after Street in New York City. For more 1996, the National Security Agency completion. information, visit www.nyhistory.org, released the VENONA decrypts—a • Secretary’s outer office served as www.gilderlehrman.org/index.html collection of cable transmissions be- temporary White House office for or call (212) 873-3400. tween Soviet agents based in the President Andrew Johnson imme- Treasury Historical Association United States and their Soviet superi- diately after ’s assassination. P.O. Box 28118 ors in Moscow. Washington, DC 20038-8118 • Wing included portions of what is These transmissions shed light on now considered the North Wing, Message Line: (202) 298-0550 White’s relationship with the Soviets. i.e. inclusive of northwest stair- Dr. Craig also was successful in get- case and vaults in offices that Website Address: ting the records of White’s grand jury face Pennsylvania Avenue and www.treasuryhistoricalassn.org testimony and materials related to the the Treasury Annex Building. E-mail Address: Alger Hiss grand jury unsealed. While [email protected] this made invaluable historical records Inside this Newsletter... Biographer Provides Insight • Annual Open Membership Meeting. The to First Treasury Secretary annual meeting of members will be at noon on Wednesday, December 8, in the Cash At the invitation of Secretary of the Treasury, Room. Join us and bring a potential new th member with you. John W. Snow, on September 13 historian • Annual Holiday Sale in the Cash Room. Ron Chernow addressed a packed Cash This traditional holiday Cash Room sale Room to talk about his new biography of December 2004 event will be held on Thursday, December 9. Treasury’s first secretary, Alexander Hamilton. • Special Product Offer for Members. THA Chernow’s book, published this year by Pen- members are offered special pricing on the guin Press, has been described by The New former Treasury bureaus now in the Depart- York Times as “by far the best biography ever ment of Homeland Security, and on Treasury written about the man.”

Building magnet sets. Mr. Chernow introduced Hamilton by describ- ing his tragic childhood in the West Indies. Annual THA Membership Although he was abandoned by his father and orphaned at the age of twelve when his Meeting, December 8 mother died, Hamilton soon overcame these THA’s annual open membership meeting, obstacles of his youth. Immigrating to New which affords an opportunity for current and York, he attended King’s College in Manhat- new members to learn about THA’s past and tan—the first step in his meteoric rise to planned activities, will be held at noon on power. He became Wednesday, December 8, in the Cash Washington’s aide-de- Room. James A. Thomas, Jr., Director, Of- camp and the following fice of Facilities & Support Services, will decade authored the provide an update, with slides, regarding majority of The Feder- progress and some interesting historical surprises in the major restoration project of alist Papers.

the Treasury Building, scheduled for comple- The author noted that, tion in about a year. throughout his career, After the event, THA will have refreshments Hamilton made sur- for attendees and will provide an opportunity prising choices includ- for members who renew or new members ing his decision to pro- who join THA at the event to receive Former vide the legal defense Treasurer of the U.S. Mary Ellen Withrow’s for Tories who had personally autographed $2 bills at their face cooperated with Brit- value cost. ain. In another surprising move, as Treasury Members who do not have a Treasury Build- secretary, Hamilton successfully argued that ing pass must call THA at (202) 298-0550 by the federal government should assume the December 3 if they wish to request entry to debts of individual states—a move which his- this December 8 event. torians see as critical in ensuring a stable and cohesive young nation. Annual Holiday Sale to Mr. Chernow also effectively compared Hamil- be Held on December 9 ton to his contemporaries, most of whom were closely identified with their home states. Jef- Once again, THA will be participating in the ferson was seen as a Virginian. Adams was Treasury Building’s Holiday Sale Event in closely connected with Massachusetts. Ham- the Cash Room. This will be held on Thurs- day, December 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. ilton, on the other hand, took a continental Each year, this event includes the U.S. Mint, view and was not wed to the interests of a Bureau of Engraving and Printing, U.S. Se- particular state. It was this mindset—perhaps TREASURY HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION ASSOCIATION HISTORICAL TREASURY cret Service Uniformed Division Benefit developed from his chaotic childhood—that Fund and Treasury Department Recreation enabled him to make broad, sweeping and Association, as well as THA, each with their lasting contributions to the country’s political unique inventory of potential holiday gifts. and financial systems.

Members who do not have a Treasury Build- Following this talk, the author signed copies of ing pass must call THA at (202) 298-0550 by Alexander Hamilton for attendees. THA was December 6 if they wish to request entry to this December 9 event, indicating a specific pleased to assist the Department by providing hour for entry. refreshments for this event.

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Treasury Building Notes — Treasury Building Homeland Security Check Your Knowledge Magnets Available Ornament Set Now at of the Treasury Building

THA’s ceramic Treasury Building Lowest Member Price (Continuing the article begun in December magnets are available to its mem- 2003 edition, which contained facts on East bers for $3 a set, which includes Gone, but not forgotten... A year and and South Wings of the Treasury Building shipping and handling. These con- and in August 2004 edition, which provided a half ago, three Treasury bureaus information on the West Wing.) tain the same images that appear on were transferred to the new Depart- THA’s 2000 commemorative orna- ment of Homeland Security. These North Wing… ment. Ideal for posting small notes were the U.S. Customs Service, the • Designed by Alfred B. Mullett, on refrigerators or file cabinets, the oldest Treasury bureau, in fact, older with construction beginning in magnets are in a set of 2, consisting than the Department itself by several 1867 and completed in 1869. of images of the first Treasury Build- weeks; the U.S. Secret Service, • The Old State Department ing in Washington (1800-1833) and if whose establishment was approved Building, almost identical to first the current Treasury Building, from a by President Abraham Lincoln on the Treasury Building, was on the painting circa. 1880s. morning of the day he was assassi- site of North Wing and had to nated and created on July 5, 1865, be demolished before the North and the Federal Law Enforcement extension could be built. Training Center, although a young • The North Wing was intention- bureau, one that continued Treasury’s ally made elegant to show to law enforcement training that was be- the public that the Union was gun in 1917. not broke from the Civil War. • The grand design included cor- THA commemorated the histories of ridor treatments of gilding, sten- these bureaus, as well as all other ciling and detailed molding not Treasury bureaus, in its series of used elsewhere in the Building. commemorative ornaments. THA is • The Cash Room, designed to now offering to its members at an un- be a banker’s bank, is 2-stories precedented low price ornaments of To order, use a copy of the form be- tall, with seven types of marble. all three of these bureaus in a set for low, and allow 2 weeks for delivery. • Andrew Johnson’s Inaugural $24, including shipping and handling. ------Reception was held in the al- This is a substantial savings from most-finished Cash Room on THA’s member price of $12.44 each DECEMBER 2004 ORDER FORM March 4, 1869, the most ele- plus $5.95 s&h. As an additional bo- gant room in Washington city. nus, each order for this 3-ornament Name: ______• Treasury tellers continued to set will include a pair of Treasury provide check-cashing, cur- Address: ______Building magnets. This offer is avail- rency-exchange, and securities ______able through December 31, 2004, transaction services to the pub- subject to supply on hand. Telephone No. ______lic through mid-1976. After-

wards, the Cash Room became To order, use a copy of the form at the principal ceremonial room in ___ Set(s) of 2 Treasury Building left, and allow 2 weeks for delivery. Magnets @ $3.00 per set $______the Treasury Building. • The 1927 renovation of the ___ Set(s) of 3 Homeland Security Cash Room added the bronze Bureau Ornaments, plus 1 pair of doors, to replace original wood above Treasury Building Magnets doors. @ $24.00 per set.………$______Treasury Historical Association P.O. Box 28118 TOTAL ENCLOSED: $______Washington, DC 20038-8118 Payable to: Treasury Historical Association Message Line: (202) 298-0550 Mail to: Further descriptions of these ornaments, Website Address: THA December 2004 Offer are on our website’s www.treasuryhistoricalassn.org P.O. Box 28118 commemorative products page. E-mail Address: Washington, DC 20038-8118 [email protected]