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"This article raises more questions than it answers, the primary question being 'how did he or his predecessors come into original possession of these letters?"

I don't think anyone knows. The state claims they are official documents, but can't prove it. Maybe 130 years ago, the state sold the documents to a scrap dealer or an auction house. Maybe the family PAID for the documents. The point is, I don't think the state can just claim ownership when there's no proof the family didn't obtain the documents legitimately.

Here's a comparative example: public libraries routinely sell off old books that are deemed of no lasting significance. Suppose I buy one of these books and it stays in my family for 100 years, and it turns out to be worth $100,000. Then my descendent files for bankruptcy and the $100,000 book goes into court and someone sees a Seattle Public Library stamp on the book, so the City finds out about this and claims title to the book. That's not too different from what's happening in this case.