The Beale Papers (1885 pamphlet)

The Beale Papers, Containing Authentic Statements Regarding the Treasure Buried in 1819 and 1821 Near Bufords, in Bedford County, Virginia, and Which Has Never Been Recovered is book of ciphers, published in 1885 by J. B. Ward with ciphers obstensibly crafted by one Thomas Jefferson Beale, which contains a set of three codes that, according to the book, relate the location and content of a treasure hoard buried near Bufords, Virginia between 1819 and 1821. To date, only one of three ciphers contained in the book have been solved by cryptographers, and as yet no treasure has been recovered; and, according to some skeptical observers, the entire project is likely a fabrication or hoax.