History of the United States Secret Service

Front matter

Kmitiiii

CORNELL

UNIVERSITY

Preface

In ■ giving to the public this vohime, it has been the design to present the operations of the Bureau of the National Detective Police during the war, so far as it is proper to make them known to the people. It is not a book of romantic adventures, but a narrative of facts in the secret history of the conflict, and mainly an exposure of the manifold and gigantic frauds and crimes of both the openly disloyal and the professed friends of the Republic. Many reports are introduced, some of which are lengthy, and portions of them are dry, because they are the ofRcial records of the work done, and the veriiication of the statements made, and the highest vindication of the character and importance of the secret service. Passages occur in them, the propriety of which many readers may question, but their omission would have weakened the strength of the reports, and softened down the enormity of the offenses charged upon certain individuals. The whole volume might have been made up of chapters very similar to those of the first hundred pages or more, but we preferred to sacrifice the peculiar interest, to some extent, of a merely sensational work — sketches of exciting scenes and hair-breadth escapes — for the greater object of an authentic official record of the vast amount of indispensable service rendered to the Government, during nearly four years of bloody strife, witli the months of trial

6 PREFACE.

and agitation whicli followed. The plan of the book was, therefore, chosen "by the responsible head of the bureau, while the introductory chapters were written by another, whose editorial aid was secured in the general preparation of the annals for the press. No desire or effort has been cherished to wantonly expose or wound in feeling any man, and therefore initials, for the most part, alone appear ; but a faithful history of transactions under the authority delegated to the Bureau, will unavoidably reach the sensibilities of persons of distinction, no less than those in humbler life.

The volume of war records, the most of which have never before met the public eye, is offered to the people as a part of the veritable history of the most extraordinary and perilous times the Republic has known, or is likely to pass through again.

Contents

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER.

GENERAL BAKER AND THE -BUREAU OP SECRET SERTICB.

The Ancestry and Birth-place of General Baker — His Early Life — Residence in California — Is a Member of the Vigilance Committee — Returns to New York in 1861 — Visits Washington — Interview with General Scott — Enters the Secret Service — The Great Facts established and illustrated by these Annals 17

Chapter II, Residence In Richmond

Summoned to an interview with Jeff. Davis — Subsequent Examinations by him — Critical Emergencies — ^Mr. Brock — " Samuel Munson " — Confidence secured — Mr. " Munson " is appointed Confederate Agent — Original Letters from Davis, Toombs, and Walker — Starts for the North — Unpleasant Delays — A Narrow Escape — Reaches the Potomac — Deceives the Dutch Fishermen and runs the Rebel Gauntlet safely 66

CHAPTER m.

NORTHERN" EXPERIENCES AS CONFEDERATE AGENT.

Hospitalities by the way— The Report to General Scott— Operations in Baltimore— The Janus-faced Unionist — A rich Development in Philadelphia — The . Arrests — Amusing Prison Scene ^^

Chapter IV. ' Treason And Traitors At The North

Bsltiniore — The Detective Service and the Arrest of the Maryland Legislature — The Refugee and the Spy — The Pursuit and the Capture — Traitors at Niagara Falls — Acquamtance with them — The Arrest — In Fort Lafayette 85

Chapter V. A Knight Of The Golden Square

P. IT. F., alicui Carlisle Murray, a Knight of the Golden Square — The Arrest — Release — Papers of F. examined — Secretary Seward's -Order for a Second Arrest— On the Track — The Rural Retreat — Mr. Carlisle Murray a Reformer and Lover — The Official Writ — The Astonished Landlord and Landlady — A Scene — Report 93

CH.'VPTER VI.

DISLOYALTY AMONG THE POSTMASTERS.

A Mystery — The Result of Cabinet Meetings in "Washington known in Richmond— The Detectives learn the Reason — A '\'igit to Lower Maryland — Amusing Scenes — The Mysterious Boi — The Reports —A Rebel Letter 102

Chapter VII. Frauds— Disloyalty In Maryland

Tiio Freighted Traveler— Treason and Frauds overlooked in the Rising Storm of Rebellion— The Bankers— The Pretty Smuggler— Reliable Character of the Detective Bureau — Disloyalty, and its Punishments in Lower Maryland—The Friends of Hon. Montgomery Blair and the Quinine Traffic— " Chunook " Telegrams ^j^o

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER Vin.

OFFICIAL SERVICES AND EMBARRASSMENTS— NEW ORDER OF TniNGS.

1 The Bureau transferred to the 'War Department — Dr. H., and the Perilous Adventure of which he was the occasion — Report of the Case — Arrest of the Leaders of a great secret Southern Organization — Documents and Letters — Rebel Poetry. 127

Chapter IX. An Official Visit To Manassas— The Waste Op "war

The Evacuation of Manassas by the Rebel Army — The Order to Visit the Deserted Battle-field — The Survey of it — Report to the Secretary of War — Waste of Government Property 1 41

Chapter X. Frauds Bt Government Employees And Others

False Returns — Restitution — Attempts to escape Arrest — ^Threats to intimidate in the Performance of Official Duty — Prison Life a Recommendation to Special Favor — Removal of a Subordinate 147

CHAPTER XL

STEALING— SMUGGLING LIQUORS INTO THE ARMY.

Horse-Stealing — ^Why many Officers disliked the Detective Bureau — 'The Spirits of War in Time of Peace— The Soldiers' Thirst for Strong Drink 152

CHAPTER Xn.

CARDS— TREASURES-FEMALE SPY.

Miss A. F. — Cavalry Stuart's Commission — The Arrest and Imprisonment 168

CHAPTER Xin.

THE BUREAU IN CANADA— IN THE ARMT.

Trick3 of False Correspondence— Mr. Delisle and the " Secret Secession Lep;ation" — Disreputable "Women in the Army — Collision with Major-General on their Account ^ '^

CHAPTER XIV.

WEALTHY TRAITORS— FRUITLESS SCHEMES.

John H. "Waring— His Operations- An Efficient Tool— "Walter Bowie— A "Wild Career — Rebel Mail — Contrabands — Extracts from the Private Journals of Rebel Spies 131

CHAPTER XV.

SLAVERY- PLATING REBEL GENERAL— FIRST DISTRICT CAVALRY.

The Hostages^Mr. Lincoln — Deceiving the Rebels — A Successful Game — Organization of the First District Cavalry — Its Services 193

CHAPTER XVI.

FIRST DISTRICT CAVALRY.

Leaving Camp again — ""Wilson's Raid" — Battles — The Escape of Kautz — The

End of Regimental Service 216

CHAPTER XVII

THE ANIMUS OF SECESSION.

A Disloyal Pastor and his Friends compelled to " do justly '' — The " Peculiar Institution " Dies Hard — Man-Stealers Foiled In their Scliemea of Robbery .... 230

CHAPTER XVIII.

ENGLISH SYMPATHY "WITH THE SOUTH— NBGBO-HATB IN WASHINGTON.

An English Emissary of the South — He Beceives the Secretary of State — My Acquaintance with Him — The Fruitless Effort to Betray Me— The Journey to the Old Capitol Prison — Negro-hate in the National Capital 235

CHAPTER XIX.

GIGANTIC VICES OP THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.

Gambling and the Gamblers — The Purpose to Break up the Dens Discouraged — The Midnight Raid — Results — Drinking and Liquor Saloons — The Descent upon thBm — Broken up — Licentiousness and its Patrons — The Raid on their Haunts at Dead of Night— The Arrests 241

CHAPTER XX.

COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE BUREAU.

The Detective System Vindicated — Reports — Cases of Infidelity in Subordinates — Prompt and Decided Action — Vandalism in the Army — ^Family Relics restored— A Perilous Adventure 253

CHAPTER XXI.

INVESTIGATIONS IN THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT.

Suspicions of Corruption abroad — The Case of Stuart Gwynn 261

CHAPTER XXn.

INVESTIGATIONS IN THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT.

The Bureau suspected of CompUcity with' Bank Note Companies — Mr. Gwynn in the Old Capitol Prison — The Congressional Committee call for Docuinents — They are produced — Mr. Clark's Status — Report 2S7

CHAPTER XXIII.

STARTLING DISCLOSURES IN THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT.

Miss EUa Jackson's Affidavit — Miss .Tennie Germon — Mr. Spurgeon and others — Correspondence -with Mr. Garfield, Chairman of Congressional Committee — Minority Report — Concluding Statements 203

CHAPTER XXIV.

UNFOUNDED CHARGES— MT OWN AND THE MINORITY REPORT.

Alleged Conspiracy against Government Officers — My Reply — Mr. Garfield — Minority Report — A. C. Wilson — My Trial and Acquittal 308

I

CHAPTER XXV.

A PERILOUS ADVENTURE.

Pope's Defeat — Banks's Advance — The Importance of communicating with him — The Successful Attempt — Rebel Pursuers — The Escape 329

CHAPTER XXVT.

COTTON SPECULATIONS.

Mauia for Speculation— Law of Congress in regard to Owners of Cotton— Ulioit Traffic at Norfolk, Virginia- Frauds committed by a Paymaster and his Associate— Reports of their Cases 335

CHAPTER XXVII.

SPECULATION AND PR.VUD.

li.'vioes of Contractors- Detection of Forage Contractor— Appeal to the President-Further Frauds as "Silent Partner"— Report on Forage and Chartered Vessels— Calumnious Charges Refuted— General Report of Trauaao- *'™3 359

CONTENTS. J 3

CHAPTER XXVin.

COUNTERFEITERS AND COUNTERFEITING

Bank-BOte Paper and Printing — Spider-leg Paper — Gwynn and Clark's Experiments— Corrupt Literature in the Army 813

CHAPTER XXIX.

A FEMALE ADVENTURER.

■Woman in the Rebellion — Her Aid indispensable in the worst as well as the

best Causes — A Spicy Letter — Miss A. J. — Tidocq's Ezperience 33-1

CHAPTER XXX.

THE BOUNTY JUMPERS.

JFraudulent Practices of Bounty Brokers and Jumpers — Contrast between English and American Deserters — Plans to check Desertion, and bring Criminals to Justice 305

CHAPTER XXXI.

THE BOUNTT JUMPERS AND BROKERS.

Quotas filled with Falsified Enlistment-Papers — Arrest of Brokers — Amusing and Exciting Scene- — The Hoboken Raid — Slanderous Charges — Large Number of Arrests — Incarceration in Fort Lafayette— Other Arrests — Trial before a Military Commission 43 1

CHAPTER XXXH.

BOUNTY JUMPING INCIDENTS.

Personal Experience in Bounty Jumping — A Perfect Trump — Detectives Enlisted— Passes obtained for Bounty Jumpers — Arrest and Surprise — Courtllarlial and Conviction 433

14 COJTTENTS.

CHAPTER XXXm.

BOITNTT JUMPERS IN ORGANIZED BANDS.

Gipsy-like Bounty Jumpers — "Wholesale BouDty Jumping carried on adroitly by a Gang of Operators — Opposilion from a Canadian Gang — Thirty-two Thousand Dollars in as many Days — Frauds in Drafting — An Old Man put in as a Substitute — A Boy decoyed — His Adventures — A Mother of Thirteen Children — Unavailing Efforts of a Mother in Search of her Idiotic Son 444

CHAPTER XXXIV.

THE GREAT CONSPIRACY.

Assassinations — Eglon, King of Moab — Ca:sar, Emperor of Rome — James I. of England — Marat, the French Revolutionary Leader — Alexander of Russia — Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States 452

CHAPTER XXXV.

THE ASSASSINS CAPTURED.

Kscitement around my Headquarters at Washington— Tlie Chief Conspirator — A Graphic Narrative of his Arrest — His Burial — Desire for Relics from his Body — Hanging of the Conspirators 416

CHAPTER XXXVI.

THE DETECTIVE POLICE— AND THE ARREST OP THE ASSASSINS.

Personal Relations to President Lincoln — His Kindness and Confidence — My Order to Pursue the Conspirators — Results — -Statements of Subordinates and Others 524

CHAPTER XXXVn.

LETTERS ON THE ASSASSINATION.

Jacob Thompson — Volunteer Suggestions respecting the Assassin's Hiding- Plaees before his Death, and the Disposal of his Remains afterward — Threats of more Assassinations — A Mysterious Letter — J. H. Surratt 543

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

FINAL REPORT OP RESULTS— THE CASE OP "WIRZ.

The Auxiliary Aid of this Bureau in GoTernment Investigations — Its Economy— Statement of Goods Seized — The Attempted Suicide of AndersonviUe W'irz 56T

CHAPTER XXXIX.

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE OP WIRZ.

My Connection with the Imprisonment of "Wirz aud Jeff. Davis— Vigilance in Guarding the Prisoner — Mrs. "Wirz visits her Husband — ^He desires a Call — The Interview — Attempted Suicide 578

CHAPTER XL.

THE NEW PRESIDENT— ORDERED SOUTH— RESULTS.

The President — Mrs. Cobb, and my Official Relations to both — Efforts to prejudice the new President against my Bureau — The Success contrasted with that under the former Administration — Ordered to the South to get important Papers — Mrs. 0. C. Clay — The Documents found — A new Order for Investigation — Results — Mrs. Cobb appears on the Stage of passing Events at the Capital 582

CHAPTER XLI.

MAJOR AND MRS. COBB— PARDONS— INDICTMENTS.

The Career of Mrs. Cobb and the Course of her Friend the President — An Application to Mrs. Cobb for a Pardon — The Contract — The Pardon obtained — The Arrest — Report to the President — How he received it — Subsequent Interviews — He defends Mrs. Cobb — Gets Angry — Denounces the Detectives—The Farewell to the White House 58ft

CHAPTER XLH.

RESIGNATION OF COMMISSION.

The Request to be Relieved from Special Service — The Case of Mrs. Washington— Popular Prejudices, and the Periodical Press — The Trial of Mrs. Cobb — Her Testimony COS

16 COlsTTENTS.

CHAPTER XLin.

THE PROGRESS OF THE TRIAL.

Testimony of Alfred A. Spear, an Officer in the Bureau of the National Detective Police — Interesting Details of his Interviews with Mrs. Cobb, and Matters connected with her S-''

CHAPTER XLIV.

PROGRESS OP THE TRIAL.

Mr. Jacob Smith Testifies — A Clerk in the Detective Bureau — His Account of the Interview at Headquarters with the Cobbs Sil

CHAPTER XLV.

PROGRESS OP THE TRIAL.

Mr. Stanton examines Lieutenant Henry H. Hines — By order of the Secretary of AVar, is connected with the Secret Service — His Story of what he saw of Mrs. Cobb 64G

CHAPTER XLVI.

CLOSING SCENES IN COURT.

Eloquent Flea of Mr. Riddle — His able Resum^ of the whole affair — Scenes in the Court-House — Verdict of the Jury, and Decisions of the Court — Spicy -Bitterness of certain Papers — List of Pardons — Abuse of Executive Clemency and Power 67

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER.

GENERAL BAKER AND THE BUREAU OP SECRET SERVICE.

The Ancestry and Birth-place of General Baker — His Early Life — Residence in California— Is a Member of the Vigilance Cornmittee — Returns to New York in 1861 — Visits Washington — Interview with General Scott — Enters the Secret Service — The Great Facts established and illustrated by these Annals.

Beigadiee-Geneeal La Payette C. Bakee belongs to a family of 'Sew England origin. In an early history of Vermont, entitled the " Green Mountain Boys," the name for two generations is conspicuous among those of the heroic men of the French and Indian wars. About the year 1770, the military organization bearing that name was formed, to resist the arbitrary claims of the colonial goTernment of New York over the settlers and soil of the "jSTew Hampshire Grants." Ethan Allen, Seth Warner, and Remember Baker were acknowledged leaders of the heroic, self-saciificiag band of patriots. We find it recorded, that "previous to 1770, many acts of violence had been committed by both of the belligerent parties. It was at this date that the governor of New York attempted to enforce his authority over the territory in dispute by a resort to military force. The Green Mountain Boys having learned that a military force of 'seven hundred and fifty men were marching to subjugate them, immediately organized themselves, and appointed Ethan Allen, colonel, and Seth Warner, Remember Baker, and others, captains of the several companies under him. The N"evv York force having advanced at night upon the dwelling of a settler, were suddenly surprised by the mountaineers in ambush, and the whole posse ingloriously fled, without a gun being fired on either side. The Green

]8 IKTEODUCTORY CHAPTER.

Mountain Boys were occasionally called out for military exercise and discipline. In 1771, the governor of New York issued a proclamation offering a reward for the arrest of Colonel Allen, and Captains Warner and Eater. Several attempts were made to abduct them, but none were successful."

Subsequently, in the Indian conflicts, Mr. Baker's toes were cut off, and other barbarities inflicted upon members of his family. General Baker's father, who inherited the paternal name, removed to Stafford, New York, in 1815. La Fayette was born there, October 13, 1826. When three years of age, his father removed to Elba, an adjoining town, where he lived till thirteen years of age, when the family started for the wilderness of the Great West. Mr. Remember Baker chose his home within the limits of Michigan, where Lansing, the capital, now stands, then a primeval forest, haunted by the aborigines. Soon the log-house and the clearing around it rewarded the toil of the father and. the son.

In the year 1848 he returned to New York, where he remained nearly two years, when he went to the city of Philadelphia, and was engaged in mechanical and mercantile pursuits. Mr. Baker was married December 24, 1852, to Miss Jennie C. Curry, daughter of John Curry, Esq., of Southwark. The next year he went to California. An incident occurred on the Isthmus, illustrative of his bold, fearless, and adventurous character. A native attempted to take advantage of an Irish emigrant, and charge him for the passage of two children the second time. Mr. Baker remonstrated. The party of half a dozen were in a sraaU boat, near Gorgona. The enraged boatman seized one of the children, and threatened to throw him in the water unless the unjust demand were complied with by the father. Mr. Baker told him to stop, but he refused ; when a welldirected blow from an oar staggered the inan. Recovering himself in a few moments, he di-ew his knife, and rushed toward Baiter, who, raising his revolver, shot him dead, the lifeless body tumbling over the boat's side into the water. He suddenly became conscious of his danger, aware that the native population would, if possible, kill him. Leaping from the small craft, he waded to the opposite shore, the frantic pursuers at his back. Turning, he shot the leader, and crept into the tangled, matted thicket. Here he eluded search,

GENERAL BAKER AND THE SECRET SERVICE. 19

\ and at length reached the American consul's honse, where he was

concealed in a subterranean passage for two weeks, and then smuggled on board of a vessel bound for California, and safely landed. The next meeting with one of his traveling companions, where the tragic scene narrated occurred, was in Richmond. He was accosted by him there, but, as it will be seen, having become " Mr. Munson," did not choose to know his friend of California memory.

Mr. Baker engaged in mechanical pursuits on the Pacific coast, when the lawless period of 1856 called into existence the Vigilance Committee. Mr. Baker was immediately enrolled in the army of 2,200 men, every one of whom was known by a number, his own being 208. In the summary work of ridding the country of reckless gamblers and " baUot-box stuffers," for exposing whose crimes James Casey had murdered James King of William, editor of the San Francisco Bulletin, Mr. Baker was an active and efficient member, giving unmistakable evidences of that peculiar adaptation to the detective service, which has made him pre-eminent in it, on this continent, since the long struggle for victory over a foe that gloried in treason under a smiling face, and robbery in the name of malienable rights, called for and received the best men and treasure of the country. With the disbandment of the extraordinary and formidable organization, Mr. Baker returned to Lis penceful occupation, in which he continued tiU 1861, when he came to New York City, intending to remain only a brief period. The appreciation of his services while a member of the Vigilance Committee and engaged in a mercantile ag€!ney, was very emphatically and tastefully expressed on New Tear's dayi the date of his departure, by the merchants of San Francisco. They met at the Bank Exchange, and sent for Mr. Baker. When he entered the room, to his entire surprise, a gentleman presented him with a cane of mansinita wood, found only in California. The head is polished gold quartz from the Ish Mine, Oregon, and around it are nine oval stones of similar material from as many different mines. The whole is richly mounted with solid gold, and cost two hundred and fifty dollars.

At the very moment be was ready to return to the Pacific coast, thfe tocsin of civil war startled the land. In common with the loyal millions of the North, his patriotic indignation at the treasonable

20 INTRODUCTOEY CHAPTER.

revolt, and the desire to aid ia its suppression, made all otlier purposes and plans of small importance. He immediately decided to abandon Ms business schemes and serve the imperiled countiy. How well he succeeded, and his pubhc career from this point in his history, will appear in his story of the National Secret Service.

In General Baker's personal appearance there is nothing, to a casual observer, remarkable. And yet, physically, he is an estraordiiiary man. Before the exhausting labors of his official position during the war reduced his weight, it averaged one hundred and eighty pounds. His frame is of the firmest texture, and its powers of endurance very great. For days together he has prosecuted his duties without food or sleep, and exposed to winter storms. He is of medium height, lithe, and sinewy, and his movements are quick, and yet having the air of deliberateness natural to a profession in which circumspection and habitual self-control are among the first conditions of success. Around his forehead of intelligent outline lies a profusion of brown hair, and his face is partially covered with a heavy brown beard. His gray eye, in repose, wears a cold expression; in his naturally cheerful mood, and in the unguarded enjoyment of social life, it is changeful and playful ; and, engaged in his special duty of detecting crime, it becomes shai-ply piercing, often making the victim of his vigilance to quail before its steady gaze. Indeed, he was evidently the man for the place he filled during the national struggle. The personal peril to which he exposed himself^ and the untiring service performed, at the head of a division, or even a regiment, would have sounded his name over the land as a daring, untiring and heroic leader. He is probably the best " shot " in the country, and also a fine horseman. Some additional and interesting facts in his history will be noticed in the eloquent defense of General Baker by Mr. Riddle, in the " Cobb case."

For nearly twenty years he has not tasted intoxicating drinks, but has been enrolled among the Sons of Temperance ; and what seems still more remarkable, when we think of the associations inseparable from his adventurous career, he has never been addicted to the shameless profanity so common in the army and among men of adventurous character. His fidelity and kindness of heart in hia

GENEEAL BAKER AND THE SECRET SERVICE. 21

domestic relations, and tow^ard kindred less fortunate tlian Mmself are well known.

Such are the general characteristics of the first national chief of a Detective Bureau in the war record of this country.

Blackstone's definition of the police is : " The due regulation and domestic order of the kingdom, whereby the individuals of a State, like members of a family, are compelled to conform their general behavior to the rules of propriety and good neighborhood, and good manners, and to be decent, inoffensive individuals in their several stations."

The definition is comprehensive, and certainly gives to this public service both great utility and honorable, dignified character. Another able writer divides the services of policemen into several distinct duties ; among which is " giving recent intelligence," the very work of the detective police, when a specialty in time of public perils, and one which awakens the prejudice and hostility of all classes.

The history of the police of the world, would be a most esciting and instructive library of itself. "We can only glance at this service in the two leading nations of Europe ; one Protestant and the other Catholic. "The ofiice of constable," says a "magistrate," in bis annals of the London police, "is as old as the monarchy of England." He writes again, with reference to the unpopular character of the indispensable office : " The best laws are worthless, if the public impression be cherished that it is a matter of infamy to carry them into execution." Doubtless, the principal reason for the general disfavor toward the police department, arises from the espionage inseparable from it. People do not like to be watched, and are still less willing to have their offenses against law and order reported to the tribunals of justice. Nevertheless, the records of the police, with all that is unworthy of it, are irresistible evidence of its importance in securing public and personal security from the depravity which scorns all restraints but the iron grasp of law^ In Britain, the police department has never become a national instittition ; but, until comparatively a recent date, has been " a hand to mouth affair." About the middle of the eighteenth century, Henry Fielding devoted his energies and influence to the organization of the London police into an efficient and able force under the acting magistrate of the city. And,

22 INTEODTJOTOET OIIAPTEE.

like the modem defenders of the " constitution," there were not a few who wrote and talked about the dangerous infringement of the rights of citizenship, and predicted the rapid decay of liberty, until the " British lion would slumber ingloriously in the net of captivity." But the reform went forward, and the charter of English freedom remained unshaken by the dreaded power of an omnipresent police. The crimes it exposed and the criminals convicted, for a single year, were tens of thousands.

We turn to France for the most complete and successful system of police service the world has yet seen. Until the latter part of the fifteenth century, the kingdom had no effective police, Even in the streets of Paris, " wolves roamed unmolested," and citizens forsook their habitations. Charles VII. took charge of the criminal business of the realm, to the sudden alarm of the lawless people, who lived on the property and peace of the communities. Francis I., in 1520, appointed a provost-marshal, with thirty constables. The next grand advance in this department of justice, was the creation, by Louis XIV., of a lieutenant-general, which office continued from March, 1667, to the memorable July 14, 1181. The most distinguished officer during this period was De La Renye.

The storm of the French revolution, which swept away the entire order of things, reduced the police organization to sixty petty committees. After the restoration, the prefect was appointed. Through all these changes, the national police of France stood alone in the recognition of its worth, and the mighty power it wielded in securing the public good.

The very vices of the great metropolis are so far regulated and controlled by it, that their ruinous results in Paris are probably not one-half they are in proportion to the population in Protestant London or New York. "We shall quote a few passages from Vidocq's memoirs, a man of doubtful character, but the great modem Parisian detective, to illustrate the practical workings of the system there.

M. Henry, to whom Vidooq refers, was "the pr6fet" of police. He thus describes his entrance upon his official duties : —

"As the secret agent of government, I had duties marked oui, and the kind and respectable M. Henry took upon himself to instruct me in their fulfillment ; for in his hands were intrusted nearly the entire

GENEEAL BAKEK AND THE SECEET SERVICE. 23

safety of the capital : to prevent crimes, discover malefactors, and to give tliem up to justice, were the principal functions confided to me. By thieves, M. Henry was styled the Evil Spirit ; and well did he merit the surname, for, with him, cunning and suavity of manners were so conjoined as seldom to fail in their purpose. Among the coadjutors of M. Henry was M. Bertaux, a cross-examiner of great merit. The proofs of his talent may be found in the archives of the court. Next to him, I have great pleasure in naming M. Parisot, governor of the prisons. In a word, M. Henry, Bertaux, and Parisot formed a veritable triumvirate, which was incessantly conspiring against the perpetrators of all manner of crimes ; to extirpate rogues from Paris, and to procure for the inhabitants of that immense city a perfect security.

" So soon as I was installed in my new office of secret agent, I commenced my rounds, in order to take my measures well for setting effectually to work. These journeys, which occupied me nearly twenty days, furnished me with many useful and important observations, but as yet I was only preparing to act, and studying my ground.

" One morning I was hastily summoned to attend the chief of the division. The matter in hand was to discover a man named Watrin, accused of having fabricated and put in circulation false money and bank notes. The inspectors of the police had already arrested Watrin, but, according to custom, had allowed him to escape. M. Henry gave me every direction which he deemed likely to assist me in the search after him ; but, unfortunately, he had only gleaned a few simple particulars of his usual habits and customary haunts : every place he was known to frequent was freely pointed out to me ; but it was not very likely he would be found in those resorts which prudence would call upon hiln carefully to avoid ; there remained, therefore, only a chance of reaching him by some by-path. When I learnt that he had left his effects in a furnished house, where he once lodged, on the boulevard of Mont Parnasse, I took it for granted that, sooner or later, he would go there in search of his property, or at least that he wotild. send some person to fetch it from thence ; consequently, I directed aU my vigilance to this spot, and after having reconnoitred ,the house, I.lay in ambush in its vicinity night and day, in order to