REPORT ON THE COLLECTION OF HISTORICAL RELICS, COINS, MEDALS, 

 ETC., IN THE U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1888. 



By A. Howard Clark, Curator. 



Among the j)riucipal accessions of the year is the war saddle of 

 General Grant, deposited by General A. H. Markland. This was used 

 by General Grant in all the battles in which he participated from Feb- 

 ruary, 1863, to April, 1865. It is a valuable addition to the large col- 

 lection of Grant relics received last year. 



From the Bureau of Engraving and Printing was received a series of 

 India proofs, showing the backs and faces of all the current bonds and 

 currency notes issued by the United States, illustratiug each denomina- 

 tion of Treasury notes and gold and silver certificates from $1 to $10,000, 

 and coupon and registered bonds from $10 to $50,000, 



One of the most important additions to the collection of national 

 relics was deposited by Mr. Etting (accession 20719). It is one of the 

 thirteen original pamphlets signed by George Washington, John Adams, 

 and other colonial delegates, entitled " Original Association of Con- 

 gress, October 20, 1774." By this association the delegates pledged the 

 colonies not to import British merchandise after December 1, 1774, and 

 organized committees of correspondence in the several colonies, etc. 

 The pamphlet consists of nine printed pages, with two pages and part 

 of a third containing the autograph signatures of the delegates. 



Several collections of ancient and modern coins were received from 

 M. W. Graves, Hartford, Connecticut ; Mr. Thomas Wilson, Washing- 

 ton, and others. 



A beginning has been made in the exhibit of coins toward illustrating 

 the money of Bible times by showing the coins of kings, countries, and 

 cities mentioned in the Bible, and specimens of the widow's mite, the 

 shekel, denarius, etc. 



Many additions have been made to the collection of military decora- 

 tions, medals, and badges of civic societies, including original decora- 

 tions of the Order of the Iron Cross of Germany, the Legion of Honor 

 of France, and other European orders. 



From Mr. Stephen Vail was received a piece of the original wire, over 

 which one of the very first intelligible telegraphic messages was trans- 

 mitted during the experiments by Professor Morse with his telegraph 



115 



