The New York Herald Newspaper, April 10, 1876, Page 4

£ BABCOCK’S ESCAP Was It Devised and Managed at the National Capital! STARTLING OFFICIAL HISTORY. Attorney General Edwards Pierrepont as a Presidential Catspaw. DAMAGING DOCUMENTARY DISCLOSURES 3rant Cognizant of All the Babcock Evi- | dence Before the Grand Jury, THE MILITARY COURT DODGE, Atrocious Attempt to Steal Proof from a Civil Court at the Bayonet’s Point. —— + WHY SENATOR HENDERSON WAS DISCHARGED, Grant and Pierrepont Intimidate Witnesses Be- fore the Tria! and Coax Them After It, Sr. Louis, April 4, 1876. There has been so much mystery and misrepresenta- tlon concerning the whiskey trials here, and espectally General Babcock’s trial, aud there is still so little hope apparently of the public enlightenment from official quarters either in Washington or here, that the following summary but accurate history of these transactions tay be of interest to your readers. It is obtained from conversation with many well informed persons, contains copies of important documents and is be lieved to be substantially accurate. Joyco was convieted Inte in September, and about that time the “Sylph”? despatch of Babcock was dis- covered, From this time suspicion against Babcock began slowly to deepen, and it may be said that Justice was on his track and that he knew it and was trying hig best to evade her. McDonald was convicted on the ‘22d of November, Avery on the 8d of December, and it was during the Avery trial that the main body of tho | Babcock telegrams became public. So mach will tix the relation of dates in tho story which follows, It became probable in October that General Babcock Would be ivolved in some way and to some extent in | the whiskey frauds, and from this time the attitude of Attorney General Pierrepont toward the prosecutions began to assume a different coior, He had been up to that time zealous in co-operating. ‘Thereafter it was felt here that he regarded the officers of justice with suspicion, and while they undoubtedly felt tuis, and guarded themselves accordingly, it is doubtful if they could have given any very clear reagon for their sus- picions for some time thereafter. [t may be said, perhaps, that his zeal for the prosecutions abated, and his anxiety for the safety of persons to be prosecuted began to be manifested. On the 19th of Vctover Mr, Dyer received the following despatch :— Dxpantuent o¥ Justice, ) Wasnixcrox, Oct. 19, 1 Davin P. Dyer, Esq, United States Attorney, St. Louis, Mo. :— Sin—At_your earliest convenience I wish you to tome to Washington for fuller consultation than we can have by letier in the whiskey cases. Teiegraph when you will come. Very respecttt EDWARDS PIERE , ‘Attorney General. Mr. Dyer went to Washington, where Mr. Piorrepont told him that he and Secretary Bristow were very ‘nxious to know what evidence ho had against Bab- tock, cautioning him, at the same time, not to find an indictment on anything but strong evidence. But he found tater that Bristow had not desired to seo him at all, and the Secretary was very indignant at the sup- position. Hetoid Dyer he had better go back and at- tend to his duties, and to make no further communica- tion to Pierrepont unless the latter would take the full responsibility on himself of these prosecutions, in which case Dyer was told to turn all the evidence over to him, and then Pierrepont could determine how far he chose to go, Dyer went to Pierrepont with this Proposition, but the Attorney General would not agree to it, He told Dyer, however, that he wanted all the evidence in order to determine in his own mind whether Babcock was guilty or not. He asked Dyer if he bad anything more than the “Syiph’? despatch on which to indiet Babcock, Dyer said he had and gave him some otber facts. At another interview Pierre- bont asked Dyer if that was all, and thought what he had been told was insufficient. Dyer told him he had more evidence still. Piorrepont thought it still insut- Geient, and insisted that Dyer on his return here should send him all the evidence he had. The language and attitude of tho Attorney General Produced their effect upon Dyer, as was inevitable, Thereatter be felt bound to communicate tully to Pierrepont all that he was doing, and thus on the 3d of November he telegraphed :— Sr. Louis, Nov. To Hon. Eowarns Pierreroxt, Atorney Washington, D. C.:—- Examined Fitzroy before the Grand Jury His testimony is most important—so mu deem it proper to send copy by mail to y DAVID PF. DYER, United States District Attorney, On the same day Dyer wrote to Pierrepont saying, | “I will keep you fully advised ;” anti, to show how en- i lirely Pierrepont had made himself, instead of tho & retary, Dyer's chief, Dyer added Will you d me she kindness to let General Iiristow see the evidence of | Fitzroy, as Thave not time to have a copy made for him? Nor did Pierrepont fail to flatter nim. No, vember 8 Dyer received a duspatch from Pierrepont, | tormal demaad, as an officer of would show nothtag received, But it rests with, you if you choose. K. urges it But they cannot force any- thing. Hels retained for your interest. 1 shall do best I can, LEVI P. LUCKEY. Wasutxetox, D. ©., Nov, 18, 1875. Luv P. Leoxey, Lindell Hotel, St. Louis, Mo. Freends advise not to go. A friend leaves to-night Tcan mnake affidavit if needed. Yours received. Will attend to boudage Hamlet, All well. OSCAR, Sr. Lovis, Mo., Nov. 18, 1875. Goneral O, E. Bancock, Washington, D. C. After consultation K. says you will not be asked to come, Rogers rung i to-day. Did you get my des- patch about bondage HamletY LEVI P. LUCKEY. Babcock’s refusal, under the circumstances, was wise, for on the 20th of November Dyer sent the fol- lowing letter and inclosures to Pierrepont:— Usrrep Sratks ATToRNEY's cre | Easteas Disreict or MISSOURI, Sr. Lovis, Nov. 29, 1875. Srr—You will find herewith copies of egnt tele- rains, the originals ot which are in my possession, hese despatches reached me yesterday on a subpena duces (ecu. ‘Acting upon what I consider suMectent testimony to connect Babcock with the conspiracy to defraud the revenue in this district, or at least with having a guilty kuowlodge thereof, 1 shall prepare and lay before the Grand Jury a bill of indictment against him, It is painful to me, as it should be to every good citl- on of the country, that the President of the United es should bo betrayed by those so close to him as eneral Babeock, I know that there is no one more wnxious than the President himself to see the plun- dorers of the public treasury punished; but, however this may be, I have marked out for myself a plain path to follow in these prosecutions, and that I shall follow w the end, when the testimony is sufflcient, and let neither place, position nor wealth shield the guilty art par Should like to bave your Impressions after reading these despatehes. Very respectiully, DAVID P. DYER, District Attorney. Hon. Epwarps Pixexevoxt, Attoraey General, Wash- ington, Q. G [The inclosures.) OctoneR 25, 1873 Gnvenat 0. E. Bancock, Executive Mansion, Washing- ton, D. C., care President Grant:— Poor Ford is dead, McDonald is with his body, Let the Fresident act cautlously on the successorship. JOHN A, JOYCE, OoroneR 27, 1873, General 0. E. Bancock, Executive Mansion, Washing- ton, D. C., care of President Grant:— ‘The bondsmen prefer the man they have recom- mended. An expression from the President to his friends here will secure everything. Let the President do for the best, depending upon McDonald and myself to stand by his action to the last. JOHN A, JOYCE. OcronrR 28, 1873, Baucock, Executive Mansion, Washing- General 0, E. ton, D. See despatches sent to President, Wo mean it, Mum, JOHN A JOYCE, Sr. Lovis, March 14, 1874, General 0, E. Baucock, Executive Manston, Washing- ton, D. C.:— Start for San Francisco to-morrow night. Make D. call olf his scandal hounds that only blacken the metn- ory of F, and frienas, Business. 5 St, Lovts, Oct, 25, 1874. General VU. B. Bawcock, Executive Mansion, Wash- ington, D. ©. Have you tal d with D.? Are things right? How? Sr. Louis, Dec, 8, 1874. General 0, E. Bancock, Executive Mansion, Washing- ton, D, Has Secretary or Commissioner ordered anybody here? J. Sr, Lovrs, Feb, 8, 1875. bt ie 0. E. Bancock, Executive Mausion, Washing- Yon, D, We have official information that the enemy weak- ens, Push things, SYLPH. Sr. Lovis, April 23. 1875. Bancock, Executive Mansion, Washing- General 0. ton, D. C, Tell Me. to vee Parker, of Colorado, and telegram to Commissioner, Crush Out the St, Louis enemies. PRESIDENT GRANT INFORMED. Lucien Eaton, Dyer’s assistant, had also notifiod the Solicitor of the Treasury, and on the following day Dyer received the following despatch :— Derantuent or Justice, Wasuixctox, Nov. 30, 1875, D. P. Dyer, Esq., St. Louis, Mo. :— ‘ We have seen Mr. Eaton's despatch to the Solicitor. Proceed with caution; be sure of your ground, Pro- tect the innocent, but prosecute the guilty. B, H. BRISTOW, Secretary of the Treasury. EDWARDS PIERREPONT, Attorney General. On the same day, the 30th, the despatches were laid by Mr Bristow and Mr. Pierrepont before the Prosident in Washington, and Babcock was called in to explain them, He did give an explanation, but to the President, and in such terms that Mr, Mierre- pont has said that ne could not understand it. It was unintelligible to him because Babcock addressed the President and referred constantly to circumstances aud events of which he gaid the President know, but which Mr, Pierrepont did not comprehend. But the Attorney General said that he and General Bristow urged upon Babcock on that occasion the necessity of going to St. Lou's at once to explain before the Court, the very thing Babcock had been so carefully avoidiug, and that finally General Babcock wrote along despatch, which Mm Pierrepont abbreviated and rewrote, and this was the telegram sent o2 the 30th of November as follows :— 30, 1875. tL Attor- Wasnixcrox, Nov. To the Hon. D, P. Dyer, United States D: s ours :— abs oe I sent will appet perfectly innocent the moment { can be heard. 1 demand a hearing belore the Court, where I can testify. 0. E. BABCOCK, Dyer, as 1s known, had to reply that the Avery ci was closed, but added, significantly, that another con- spiracy cuse would open on the 15th of December, At that time, only two weeks off, Babcock could eet the hearing he was then—under the spur of Bristow’s urging, as now appears—demanding. But Babcock had no stomach, apparently, fora civil court. Hence, as is evident, on the 2d of December he demanded of the President A MILITARY COURT OF INQUIRY, and on the same day Dyer received this:— Davantuest Wasnixcrox, Dec, Sim—Gageral Babcock, on account of the charges pearing against him in the public journals, has made a army, for a court of which I suppose, as a matter of course, will be What is the condition of St. Louis? Answer ones a EDWARDS PIERREPONT, Attorney General. D, P. Dyer, United States Attorney, 5. Louis, Mo, WDecember 3 the President ordered the court, and the Secretary of War ordered Generals Sheridan, Hane | cock and Terry to fori it, to convene at Chicago on the | 9th, and directed the Judge Advocate General to appoint a judge advocate, On that Dyer seut the following:— Sr. Louis, Dec. 3, 1875, To Hon. Epwanps Pisregroxt, Attorvey General, Washington, 0. ©. Your despatch ng that General Babcock, on ac- | count of the charges appearing against him in the public | journuls, has made a tormal demand, as an officer of giving his “best commendation both for your zeal and | discretion; and when, on the 224, Dyer telegraphed bim that McDonald had been found guilty, he received the next day the following, which compares curiously with Mr, Pierrepont’s letter to district attoraeys in January, But Babeock was not yet indicted:— Devarturst ov Jostice,) Wasitincron, Nov. 23, 1875. Hon. D. P, Dyer, United States Attorney, 5. Louis, a 0 :— wish to congratulate you on your great success in The late trials, and to add that your energy, discretion and good judgment, aided by the energy and good judgment of your assoviates, Mi. Henderson and M @ My highest approbation, accept of this departinent, and read this despatch (o Mr. Henderson and Mr. EDWARDS PIERKEPONT, Attorney General. BABCOCK’S TURN COMING. Meantime Babcock’s troubles bad become, it is bo- Weved, the subject of Cabdivet conversations about the the army, for a court of inquiry, Was received by me this morning. against li as yet. Grand Jury will make 4 presentment or not fam not able to say whether the Do you | understand tnat, as a court of inquiry is ordered, (hat | { | } Please | Middle of November, and Babcock had himself sent | Luckey secretiy to St Lows to watch Dyer and the trials then going on, and apprise him of what might be G@eveloped, It is probable that Babcock had become aware that Dyer bad issued a rubpa duces fecum the telegraph company to obtain certain despatches now famous, and that he was very uneasy. He was urged by Avery and others here to come on and swear himseit clear on Macdonald’s trial, as bo was told Avery, McKee and Maguire were going to do, aud as the wwo fast named did, McKoo after thus swearing being con- Vieted und Maguire pleading guilty Knowing that Dyer would get the dosp hes Rab. tock refused to come, as appears from the cipher dee spatebes to and trom Luckey, which are dated Novem- ber 17 aud 15, a8 follows :-— Wasmixotox, D. C,, Nov. 17, 1 Levi P. Lvewry, Linde 1 St. Louis, Mo, :— See John M, Krom on rece) pt of this, whatever hour, Retain bim to protect me and conter fully wikh bio, and answer at cariiest moment Lo xo there now would be ge Maga pormed M he can Possibly prevent i, Report prowptly to my house, bere. - 0, B BABUUCK, Wastrserox, D. C., Nov. 17, 1875 Lari P, Loensy, Lindel! Hotel, St louis, Mo. ‘Tell bim employ asssistance if he wants, and means ing there now atall hazards. bx. it now, OscaR. St. Lovts, Mo., Nov, 1s, 1875. General 0. E. Bancock, Washington, bc. K. ‘po deiriment, po Ser oath ae political i aud ali 3 upon hom 01 Fests afro gride to Lestily ; wind Wickds think it would be wou if you could woo that supersedes an inquiry before the court here? Please give me your views and opinion. DAVID P. DYER, District Attorney. And the following passed in the order given:— Derantaext o¥ Justice, Wasitixotos, Dec. 6. Hon, D. P, Dyer, U. 8. Atioruey, St. Lous, Mo. :— t ed in Cabinet to-day that a court of inquiry be held ummediately at Chicago, See my letter vy this mail Does not supersede, PIERREPONT, Attorney General. EDWARDS DaerartuEnt or Jcsticx, Wasnivarox, Dec, 3, 1875 } Dean Sin—In Cabinet to-day the question was dis- cussed, and the President bas ordered a court of in- quiry dpon the demand of General Babcock. It will be convened immediately, at Chicago, and if the court requires your aid in getung evidence against General Babcock, in your possession or under your coutrol, you will give every iacility which can promote a horough investigation. This court of inquiry do pot restrain you in any duty which the law impos upon'you tp your oiljeial capacity, It seems to be considered that when an officer has a grave charge publicly made against him he basa right | to acourt of inquiry. The court will be composed ot ligh officers—Liew Hancock and cate general, Yours, very WARDS PIERREPONT, Attorney General. D. P. Dyer, United States Attorney, St Louis, Mo. December 4 Asa Baird Gardnor was named Judge | Advocate, Colonel Rager telegrapbing 4 reluctant as- sent to bave him leave his duties at West Point, It Tomaing to be explal iy he should have been chosen, busily engaged as he was with classes atthe Military Academy. On the same day each of the mem- Vers of tho court received a singular despatch trom the War Department, saying, “Zt is very important you should be there in time,” Why? If the court was really called to act, and to deliberate, it was not “very important” that they should hurry. But if it was | intended to use these boporable officers composing It, to grab the Babcock evidence and witnesses away from the officers of the civil court, and known that the Grand Jury was then in session here, | TO DERANOM AND UPSRT THE TRIALS | and the whole course of justice at St Louis, then, cor tainly, there was need for the haste which Mr, Belknap, General Babeock’s intimate [riend, urged, it was weil that Badeock’s case, among others, was belore it, and, fo far from hurrying the assembly of the military. court, it would have been but decent to delay it until O ull , the Civid inquest thes gomyg on Was concluded, Gene- innocent, and every telegram which | No vill of indictment has been returned | ral Sheridan, by the way, answered, “I regret the de- tail” On the 6th the cat was let out of tne bag. Pierrepont wrote to Dyer:— “ J PARTMENT OF Wasmixatox, Dec. 6, 185 } Hon. D. P. Dyer, United States Attorney, St Louis, Be 0.3 The President informs me that the court of inquiry couvenes at Chicago next Thursday; that Goneral Bub- | cock starts to-night to meet his trial; that Colonel | Gardner is the Judge Advocate, to whom, at Chicago, you | will please send any documentary evidence bearing upon | the case, and the names and the residences ofany wit- | nesses whose testimony you judge important to make the investigation thorough, If is any evidence in addi- tion to that sent me please Jorward it, and communi- cate with the Judge Advocate by messenger or other- wise, a8 you deem most gute, to the end that this im- portant inquiry, which will attract the attention of the country, may be complete tn every respect, I repeat what Ihave so often said, that we wish no inpocent man tarnished and no guilty one to escape. EDWARDS PIERREPONT, Attorney General. Concerning this singular demand upon Dyer, Mr. Pierrepont has said that he made it under the instruc- tons of the President, and supposed 18 to be all right, because he himself knew nothing of military law. The. President told him to have t@e evidence sent to the Judge Advocate, Ought an Attorney General to be at the same time so ignorant and so complaisant? The President originally wanted the whole civil proceed- ings dropped and the case handed over entirely to the military mquiry; but this his Cabinet would not stand, and rather than make a scandal he yielded. If Dyer avd Henderson had been made of the same material as Pierrepont the country would have seen a ‘singular spectacle. But Dyer sent Pierrepont this SCORCHING ANSWER :— Sr. Louis, Dec. 9, 1875. To Hon, Epwarps Prerrevont, Attorney General, Washington, D. CG. : ‘The Grand Jury to-day returned a true bill for con- spiracy to defraud the revenue against Orville E, Bab- cock. I have a despatch from the Judge Advocate of the court of inquiry at Chicago asking for charges and evidence against General Bavcock. 1 know of nothing which can be called chat except this indictment and what transpired in the legitimate discharge of ig by the attorneys of the governmeut In the trials of John McDonald and William O, Avery, Shall 1 order cop! of the stenographic reports of those trials for the Jud, Advocate? Js it expected that documentary evidence brought into the District Court of the United States for this district by its process, ond which is constantly needed in the prosecution of cases tvepamnt before it and before the Circuit Court of this distrit, shall be trans- milled by me to Chicag % beyond thew jurisdiction ? J respectfully suggest that [have no power to do 80 wi'h- out Condengh of tote Conrt, 1 ulso suggest that the government is now ready to enter upon the trial of the indictment, and for that purpose I am sending to Chi- azo a copy of the indictinent and a capias for General Babcock. DAVID P. DYER, Distriet Attorney. Thus this little plot was spoiled; or on the 10th, the day following Dyer’s scorcher, General Sheridan ad- ministered another. Me telegraphed that the military court, having heard that the civil court had found an indictment against Babcock, had at once and unani- mously decided to adjourn from day to day until the civil tribunal had decided, But this did not suit Bab- cock, evidently; he did not mean to have a real mili- tary inquiry, and accordingly on the 12th, two days later, he wrote to the President suggesting that the order convening the military court be “revoked,” which was accordingly done on the 15th, the proceed- ings closing with a long report from Judge Advocate ‘Asa Baird Gardner, in which he attacks Dyer with great heat for ‘failing to obey the positive instruc- tiona”’ of the Attorney General as to handing him over the evidence and list of witnesses, Gardner evidentiy elt that Dyer bad treated him with just contempt as an ignorant and presumptuous moddier. This Gardner, by the way, is law professor at West Point, Isheafitperson to teach cadets their duty and posi- tion toward the civil authorities ? HENDERSON'S DISMISSAL, This brings us to the 15th of Deceinber, But mean- time other matters had passed. When tho Babcock despatches were read in court tho President began to openly exhibit dislike and suspicion of ex-S3enator Henderson, associate counsel for the government in the whiskey frauds. He had received, so long ago as Jaly, a letter from W. Barnard, of St, Louis, in which Barnard told him that Henderson was the President's “bitter enemy,” and that Babcock’s name waa getting mixed up in the whiskey business; but it was not until these captured despatches were shown him that ho manifested a disposition to oust Heuderson, Mr. Henderson's speech, on which he was dismissed, was mado inthe Avery case, on the 8d of Decembor. His removal was spoken of between the President, Mr. Pierrepont, and perbaps General Bristow, before he made that speech; but he was not removed uatil the Oth, Ou the 7th Dyer received the following de- spatch:— DerantaEst or Justice, Wasmxarox, Dec. 7, 1875. fag D. P. Dre, United States Attorney, 5¢. Louis, 0. -— Sixk—To-day was read in the Cabinet what purported to be the substance of the speech made by Senator Henderson 1p summing up the evidence on the trial of Avery. it was printed in tho Gincini mercial with extensive comments. If the substance of the spoech is there correctly given the attack upon the President made by Senator Henderson on that occagion was bitter, vindictive, quite out of place, and | to come from one in the employment of the govera- | ment quite surprising. | It was deemed just that your notice should be called to this public attack, thus pablicly stated to ha been made by one of the counsel of the government, Will you show this letter to Senator Henderson, and wil you send a copy of his speech and such copy as he will examive aud say is correct? It ig very unjust to him to have such a speech published if he did not make it, and it 1s grossly un- just to the President if he did. 1 await your answer, and ask that Senator Henderson may join in the samc, or write directly to the President or to me, as he may preter. Ver respectfully, EDWARDS PIERREPONT, Attorney General. On the same day Lucien Eaton, assistant to Dyer, telegraphed the Attorney General about Henderson's speech; that he did not understand Henderson to be offensive tu the President. He said:— Sr, Lovts, Deo, 7, 1875. PrerReront, Attorney General, Washing- thy with the unconvicted mem ng here are assiduously dissem: General Henderson criticised wi gument of the Avery case, it is | simple justice to say his speech, which was wholl unpremeditated in form, does not bear any sucl interpretation in my judgment. None ot the news- papers report him accurately. He intended no eriti- | etsm, as I know privately. 1 heurd all he said, and did | not so understand him. A sworn copy from official | stenographer’s notes will be mailed you by me to-night, | Henderson took occasion Ww say in the trial that the despatches exonerated the President, and 1 know he meant it. LUCIEN EATON, But the President and Pierrepont were determined to get Henderson out, and on the 9th Dyer received | the following:— AS parties in_ sym; vers ofthe Whiskey President in nis DePaRrtuENT or Justice, Wasuinerox, Dee, 9, 1 ba D. P. Dywn, United States Attorney, St. Louis, 0, == Evidence has reached here that on the trial ot Avery Mr. Henderson took advantage ot his position as special counsel for the goveruinent to assatl the Presi- fay tay was bot on trial, His eiforts im that line will be no longer paid by this department. You will givea re! of this despatch to General Henderson, EDWARDS PIERREPONT, Attorney General, | On the 18th, the next day, he received another do- spatch:— DrvartMent oF Jestics, Wasmserox, Dec. 10, 1375, } — D. P. Dvr, United States Attorney, St. Louis, 0. — The sworn report of Mr. Henderson’s speech, for- warded by dir, Eaton and referred to by both you and Mr. Henderson in your despatches of yesterday as a | correct report, was read in tull Cabinet to-day, and it was regarded’ by every member as an outrage tj , | professiunal propriety thus to reflect (without shadow of reason) upon the President, by whom his employ- ment by this department was sanctioned in order that no mpediment micht be placed in the way of bringing | to speedy punishment every deirauder of the revenue | at St. Louis. You will advise General Henderson of his discharge | from further service, ana receive in his place the aid of the most able and efficient counsel you can find, with- | out regard to his politics. | , EDWARDS PLERREPONT, Attorney General, nes ON'R OFFENCE, Now, what was the groat offence of Mr. Henderson which caused a too subservient Cabinet, led by bel- Knap and Pierrepont, to require his removal? Here is the awful passage: What is the blot upom our government that It 1s pos- sible for such thil to exist bere, but not iu England, France, or any er civilized government, but a pecuhar to our boasted Republic? it is party, '. that damos our country, and he who has the o resist the behests of party is worthy of more than the bravest of Roman soldiers. Under the 3 party, rt ;e | Bame of y every fraud and intamy within the range | of possibilities 18 perpetrared. It is to be hoped and | prayed that the time ts coming whena man who has tho imperious force of character to-resent the dictates of party will be looked up to asahero, But we may go to the bottom, corruption may feast in all our inst!- tutions and our nation may decay and before we Jearn Unis grand trath. * * * What right had Babcock to go to Douglass to induce bim to withdraw his agents? Douglass was placed in his position to see that revenue laws of the government were Properly enforeed. What ass Dusiness, then, had Doug! When an offictal goes into office he should be 4 independent of all ences except that of | law, and if gdp rey any other ster then this ! f t stumbling down. What right bas the h Commissioner Douglass ta a ties or with tho Treas- uror? None, and showed a lamentabie weak- NEW YORK HERALD, MONDAY, APRIL 10, 1876—TRIPLE SHEET, | ness of character when he hastened to Babcock’s dic- tates, . * . * * * Now, why did Douglass bend the supple hinges of the knee and permit any interference by the President? ‘This was Douglass’ own business and he stood respou- mble for it, Under bis official oath he was bound to listen to no dictates from the President, Babcock or any other officer, and it was bis duty to see (hat that order was carried out or to resign. THE NEXT STEP. The court martial dodge had failed, and Babcock saw himself compelled to appear before a civil triblu- nal.’ If Bell, the detective, may be credited he was employed to get all the evidence against Babcock and bring it to the Lindel! House to be destroyed. Bell's testimony 18 corroborated in many minor pointe; but whether he tells the truth or not it is undoubtedly a fact that tho Attorney General and tho President at Wash- ington took great pains to know all that was in evi- dence against Babcock. As to the President, Mr. Pierre- pont has said that he was surprised to find him so well informed; that he always knew more than Pierre- Pont had to tell him, and that he was probably kept advised by a man named Fox, who was a member of the Grand Jury, The President was always better informed than Mr. Pierre- pont. In’ a paper witch has just come to my hands Mr, Dyer ts reported to have tostified to a committee in Washington that “while this Grand Jury was in session he discovered that one of the members of it, named Fox, who had formerly been chairman of the Republican State Committee of Missouri, was supply- ing President Grant information concerning everything that transpired in the jury room. He expressed the opinion that this man Fox made use of his position to curry favor with the President, and that he prejudiced the President greatly against the officers of the gov- ernment at St Louia He said that Fox‘reported to the President with the evident purpose of de- stroying confidence in him, that he had himself taken the stand as a witness against Babcock while the question of preparing an indictment was being considered by the Grand Jury. Mr. Dyer said that this statement was ‘true to this extent, that he did take the stand as a witness to identify the hand- writing of Babcock in the ‘Sylph’ telegram which was in evidence betore the jury. When he did so this jaryman, Fox, asked whether be was giving sworn testimony, and he then took the oath as a witness, But he did not give any testimony against Babcock, as was reported to the President. Mr. Dyer said that on coming to Washington, after the indictment was found by the Grand Jury, he found Mr. Fox there im consul- tation with the highest officers of the government, and he learned that a son of Mr. Fox was shortly atter- ward appointed to a consulship by the President,” As to the Attorney General’s scarch for information, you havo seen above that he domanded everything from Dyer. He put a good face on, however. On the 27th of December he wrote Dyer, telling him, among other things, to ‘‘proceed calmly, earnestly avd with unflinching justice towardall;”” and addod, ‘Read this to Mr. Eaton and associates. * * The sentimen and drift of it you need not especially conceal.’ This made poor Dyer’s heart jump with joy, and he immedi. ately telegraphed to Pierrepont :— Sr. Lovis, Mo., Dec. 29, 1875. Hon. Epwann Prenreroxt, Attorney Generals Wash- lave shown your letter to Brodhead, who thinks it would be well to publish so much of it.as relates to the vigorous prosecution against the ring. Shall it be done? . D, P. DYER, District Attorney, Pierrepont just as immediately telegraphed him to forbid the publication :— DepartMent or Jrstice, } Wasuixaton, Dec, 30, 1875. Hon. D. P. Dysr,. United States Attorney, St Louis, Mo. Not well to publish. See my letter of to-day. Learn that there will be no important trials until Judge Dillon comes, on the 20th. EDWARDS PIERREPONT, Attorney General. Not only this, but he wrote him, and took occasion to caution him severely against bsing too zealoua But the point of this letter lies in the postscript, which see:— DeeartMent or Justice, Wasuinctox, Dec, 30, 1875. Hon, D. P. Dren, United Stat Attorney, St. Louis, Mo. : 0. ta Dear Sin—Tho publication of any part of official letters tends to create speculation and unhealthy ex- citement, and hence better not be published at present, 1 am giad to learn that Judge Treat and Judge Dillon will both sit on the 20th of January to try the revenue cases. This will satisfy the public and all parties of the public that you intend to try the cases deliber- ately, with abundant caution and with a fairness which cannot be doubted It is important, as [ have already said, that impartial justice be done, and also. that there be no appearance even of rashness, haste, prejudice or favoritism ; but in the present state of tho pablic mind it is important that the trial be so con- ducted that honest men cannot doubt the fairness of the trial or the justice of the result. Ever truly yocrs, EDWARDS PIERREPONT, Attorney General. P. S.—Please send me the evidence before the Grand Jury in the Babcock case, EDWARDS PIERREPONT, Attorney General. And poor Dyer had to submit, in these words: Usrrep Statss ATToRNRY’s Orrice, St. Lovts, Jan. 3, 1876, Hon. are PrgRREPoxT, Attorney General, Wash- ington. sin—T moment that I get the notes of the testi- mony taken before tho Grand Jury written out I transmit, according to the request contained in y letter of the 30th ult, so much as relates to the case against General Babcock. I am, very respectlully, your obedient servant, DAVID P. DYER, United States Attorney. PROTECTING BABCOCK. During January Dyer had business in the East, While he was in Waebington the Attorney General questioned him, and Dyer told him about the despatches in cipher between Babcock and Luckey, and also about the Grimes jetters, thus giving him two most important pieces of the evidence, At this timo Tutton bad been sent to Chicago, as being the most subservient too! in the revenue service tothe President's wishes. And no sooner had Tutton got out here than—so Mr Pierre- pont has said—ho and the President began to receive newspaper cuttings and anooymous letters telling them that some monstrous scandal was about tobe done in the name of justice im the Wost, Thereupon ensuea Pierrepont’s notorious letter to district attor- neys threatening witnesses, which was after all, per- haps, the most effective device, as is well understood here, to heip Babcock. In that letter Mr. Pierrepont gives as hie excuse for writing it that his “attention has been caliea to a number of newspapers.” But Mr. Pierrepont has since said that he saw, in fact, no newspapers, but only cuttings shown him by the Presid that be could not remember the origin of any except some which were published in the Jnter-Ocean of Chicago, and which he afierward discovered bad been put in by Supervisor Tutton, and that he remembered only two men who spoke to the President’ r bim on the sub- ject, one of whom was Tatton. Ferbaps the other was the Grand Juror Fox! Besides this, he bas said that he received on tho subject two lotters, both anonymous, and one postmarked St Louis! Mr. Pierrepont has given some singular details to several persons about the history of this letter to district attorneys, According to these accounts of his the President always conversed with him alone when he urged the writing of the letter, and he dealt at first mainly in hints and suggestions, which Mr. Pierrepont was slow to take, He saw that in some of tho news- paper cuttings which the President called bia attention to were charges against the ofMficors of justice in St. Louis. Finally, after sov- eral of these private interviews, the President, Gnding that he did not get abead, ‘spoke with distinctness about writing to the district attorneys,” and said, “I ‘want to have you write to these district attorneys and provent any such wrong as this being done, {t will bring a great scandal.” This was in reference to the District Attorney at St, Louis, So Mr. Pierre. pont wrote the letter, and later the President asked him, “Have you done anything about that” meaning the letter. Whereupon Pierrepont sent bim a copy of it, “in an official envelope, sealed” and directed to the President. When, alter some days, be found that Qi it had been made public, he says he used severe lau | Jaago beiore the President about it; but the President did not seem to remember anyt! about the letter, manitested not the least interest in it und had never scen it Nor did he ever afterward make any allusion to it, which is quite odd, considering bow apxtor had been about it before. Bat this letter, sent in an oficial envelope and sealed to the President, General Babcock recently declared, ‘so the papers report, that he found open and without anenvelope on nis ik. Oue is quite curious to know who opened it and laid It on Baboock’s desk. Of course it could not have been the President, because he never saw the letter. Nor General Babcock, for ho discovered it already opened. Mr. Pierrepont’s ex- planation is curiously detaited, but says it “got out through the President's office 11 bands of some person whu let it out to some other went it to the Chicago papers;” and he adds he “ascertained this from General Bab- cock,” who told bim, “I was drowning, They were trying to destroy me, and Thad a right to anything that I could get hold of.” Another expression which Mr. Pierrepont bas used, in relating the story of this letter, still further excites curiosity. “Ido not say,” he has said, “that General Babcock abstracted the letter; but that either he or seme one for him did.” But, atter all, the most curious part of the whole matter is this, The I’resident became anxious to have the letter written about the time wren Dyer told Mr. Pierrepont what Everest would provably testify to, and when the President and the Attorney General knew pretty mach the whole case against Babcock. Now the letter distinctly told all witnesses against Babeock who had guilt upon their own shoulders—and necessarily all the most important ones nad—that, having by their tes- timony confessed their gullt, they need hope for no par- don or clemency from Washington. Under the cir- cumstances it behooved the witnesses in the Babcock trial to be very careful what they testified; for, if they went too fur, they could expect no mercy from those who wanted Babcock cleared. The general impression here {is that the letter had its effect, and that the prosecution was de- moralized and lamed by it Fortunately, very soon after General Babcock was acquitted Mr. Pierrepont revoked his letter and instructed Mr. Dyer to keep all the promises of clemency or immunity which he might have mado to ‘guilty persons.” But Suppose General Babcock had been convicted? Per- haps the witnesses, reading Mr. Pierrepont’s letter in the papers, did not believe they would be so mer- cifally considered in that case. With the exception of the Roger Sherman episode, you have here a succinct account of the Babcock affair. There are many dotaiis vot filled up; but the time is not far distant when most of these can be told, and when Secretary Bristow, Solicitor Wilson and perhaps some others may feel ree or obliged to tell their adven- tures in the matter of Mr. Babcock. A CARD FROM DETECTIVE BELL, Wasutnatoy, April 8, 1876, To tax Pontic:— It has been my misfortune to be summoned before a Congressional committee. Tho bread and butter organs at Washington have vilified me; but the cautious, searching press outside has Bradually come to the front, and ‘darkly, as through a glass,” begin to sce the truth and to com- mend me for singly daring to take up the battle gauge. 1 gay not this in a boasting spirit, [regret the war, but I havo no tears to shed at this tine, "Tis now win or perish, I reaffirm that! have told the trath, Let us consider matters. Examine carefully the testimony. Secretary Chandler says Luckey never spoke to himof me. Luckey says in his testimony that he did speak to Chandler about me. Attorney General Pierrepont deuies that I ever held any conver- sation with him in regard to going to St, Louis, and that I was only commended to him by the President in ®@ general way. This I deny. I was specially com- mended to him by the President as ‘the man of whom I spoke.” The President sent me to him to teil all 1 knew, which I did, and directed him to appoint and send me to St. Louis, I found him intriguing with Secretaries Bristow and Jowoll, and at that time be- leving Babcock innocent and finding Secretary Chand- ler the only true friend of the President, reported in writing to the lattor, and I believe he condemned Pierrepont for betraying my proposed mission, Pierre- pout then, as I have heard, denied to the President that he ever spoke of me to either Secretary Bristow or Postmaster General Jewell. In his testimony of the 6th, under oath, he says he did inquire, about me of both Bristow and Jewell, If, as he says, they gave me a bad name, why did not he, if true to the President, inform him, and thus prevent my being commended to and givenan appomtment by Secretary Chandler, ant as Secretary Chandler says my name was given to him by the Presi- dent at a Cabinet meeting, after he had mentioned to the members thercof that he desired a good man for a chief of secrot service in his departmont, why was it then that Bristow and Jewell did not speak, as all my Affairs at tho Interior Department, including my ap- pointment, ensued after Pierrepont gave me his congé, and prior to that Cabinet meeting, at which my mame was, according to Chandler, openly mentioned? I suppose Mr. Pierrepont, after he saw my letter to the President, made amends by writ- ing the famous letter to the Disirict Attorneys. I met him frequently. If when 1 took the card to him he. was true to the President, why did he mention my name to Eristow and Jewell, and thus disclose my pro] missioc ? Why did he question my appoint- ment when it was desired by the President, as he himself confesses? He simply betrayed, first, the President, then in turn betrayed Bristow. Details | will not enter into, but l will state distinctly that I told him the President only desired to know whether or not Babcock was guilty, There could be nothing wrong in this, Why, then, did he betray me to Bris- tow, knowing 1 was not to be knowo in that qharter ? All this 1m December iast. Pierrepont trst allied him- self to Bristow and Je be nd then, being caught and py on bis choice, but ali around his conduct has been Janus faced. His actions, afier my report about the 22d of December last, confirm my | statement. I wilt bere state that 1 found long since that Secretary Bristow was honest and earnest, and acknowiedge vow, uotwithstanding all my former pre- jJadices at st. Louis, from what! heard there, that he ‘was on the Fight track. As to Bradley, he say: wished moto steal copies of papers trom D: om Strange he should draw the copies. 1 reaifirm that first, he, at St Louis, wished the originals {{ 1 could get all of them. 1 pre- ferred first to see Babcock, which | did about Decem- ber 23, and told him of Bradiey’s proposition. He | showed no surprise, bat said, in substance, “All of the papers must be procured—a part were worse than non Lictta F at brag? business, summoned by authority, through Bradley, to aid the President, whom we all believed was assaulted through Babcock. 1 fell into the hands of ‘thieves by the wayside,” and finding | out the company | was in quit the case. Let minor details speak tor themselves. My zeal may have mis- | led me, for I loved the President, aud still think kindly of him as my oid Seimmander. Yet this pitétul beggar, Babcock, after causing me to spend thrice for him ever repaid me, could cause a call upon Secretary Chandler for $1,000, and upon others for greater and Jesser sums, to pay the expenses of his prosecution— termed by his admirers his persecution. 1 have never bunted political criminals, 1 have only pursued those who were criminals against the law. in conclusion, where are Babcock and Luckey now? Lackey is out of the White House, as may be believed, for mistaken zeal; Babcock for theft, so termes, of the Jamous or intamous letter of the Atuorney General, 1 am yet to be judged, and the ah thus far justi- fes me in most of what | nave said. [t would be lolly to expect men to criminate themselves; therefore 1 was surprised to receive even a partial vindication | from Babcock, Luckey and Bradley. ‘The trath is mighty, and will prevail.’ Let the great public wat as more is yet to coine, and, whatever the result, Tehall await the Verdict with patience and bopefulness. Cc. 8, BELL CUBAN CONTROVERSIES. Within the last six woeks no less than three Cuban newspapers have been started in this city aud have entered into a free fight of a partisan character. They may be characterized as follows :— El Tribuno, Villaverde and Quesada organ and of antl-Aldama tendencies. La Vos del Patria, organ of J, J. Govantes and in favor of President Aguilera’ Mr, Govantes’ name has ‘been suggested as a candidate for the position of agent in New York of the Cuban Repubire as the successor of Mr, Miguel de Aldama, who fills the position at pres- ent. La Verdad, looked upon as the organ of Mr. de Al- dama by the Cubaa exties in this city, a ‘The other ‘ pubiiahed in bw city are La Independencia an Kevolucion. The former is po by Mr. de Luna and ts engaged in a bitter war- La inst Mr. do Aldama, which 1s edited by Mr. Rafae! Lanza, {9 the original Cuban organ published in this city and Js now in its erghth =, It 1g independent and depre- cates the bitter Hght on the partisanship question which the other Papers have of late allowed themselves to be ed into and pleads fur the “re- action of action” in matter of helping their strag- gling brethren in Cuba with men and arms, CRIME IN BROOKLYN. Tobias Butler, residing at No. 19 North Portland avenue, Brooklyn, quarrelied with nis wife at an early hour yesterday morning aud drove her from her apart- ments, She took refuge in the’ rooms of Mr. Patrick Fitzgerald, Butter foliowed her, and finding the door locked kicked at it, which act so enraged Fitzgerald that he opened tt and strack the feliow on the hend | with a hammer, inflicting a severe wound. The in- ) Jured man was removed to the City Hospital, and Fitz. rald was locked L it the Fourth preciuet station jouse tu answer for felonious assault, Two sweeps, Gilbert H. Perry and William He Smith, colored men, quarrelied on Saturday night at No. 174, Navy street, Brooklyn, when the former siabbed | Willlam with a penknife in thé left leg, inflicting | severe wound, “Perry was ‘and ts beld 1 "James O'Neil, laborer, thie cight yours of age, was james Neil, labore om | arrested fur stealing sugar Iroc ihe doeks OF Wocarut & Robinson's stores, Brooklyn. r ‘Susman Fleishman was arrested in the Fourth pre- ciuet, Brookly: (through my devotion to the President) that he has | wo) CEE alas oC | of their crimes, RECLAIMING FALLEN WOMEN. The work of reclaiming lost women is one that owes: Much to the venerable Father Eudes, who established the Order of the Daughters of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd over 300 years ago in France. This Order has grown until it reaches ail the principat cities of tho world, Applicants for membership in this Order remain three or six months as postulants, then two years and one day as novices, and when they make their vows they dedicate the remainder of their lives to the service of the most degraded women. These they receive into their houses, feed, clothe and shelter, instruct in such occupations as they are bes! fitted for, and when they are thoroughly reformed the, good Sisters either give them a permanent home in the institution or return them to the world as usefal, safe and virtuous members of society, The Sisters receive no compensation whatever, except their own plain food, coarse clothing and humble lodging for their work. All that they do is @ labor of love and mercy, performed solely to benefit their unfortunate fellow women And to promote the glory of God. ‘The first American house of this Order was estab- lished in New York October 2, 1857, in a small build- ing 1m Fourteenth street, by five Sisters. Since then they have erected buridings ut the foot of Nineteenth street, East Riv t @ coat of over $400,000, which they now occupy. Their community has increased to 133° cloistered buns and twenty outdoor Sisters, ‘These latter atteud to all the business of the hi such as procuring work and returving it, securing coal, provisions, &c, Since the establishment of this institution it has withdrawn from vice and sheltered over 4,000 unhappy women, and at the present time contains over 500. Anotner house was opened in Bus- ton in 1867, which contains 200 penitents, Another, Started the year alter in Brooklyn, now has 250 tn- mates, while the last ono, established last May in New- ark, N, J., already coutasns forty women aud girls who wish to reform, As long as there ts room for one more the Sisters receive applicants, who are fed, cloth lodged and treated in all respects alike, without regard to creed or country. Moral means only are employed, and for this Teason sume of the Sisters are continually present with the inmates, to animate them by eximple as well as by precept to the practice of virtue, The Preservation elasa includes those children who are eneraily under fourteen years of age, an¢ wno may ave bowen exposed, through the vice of their parents or oth roundings, to the dangers of temptation. The class of Detention is composed of older girls and women, who are placed there by their parents, guard- jans or other legal authority; those commitiod by the magistrates boing paid for by city ata very low rate, The Penitents are those who voiunt ly aban- don evil associations, and wish to eflect a radical oh in the course of their lives; while the Sist Magdaicns are allowed to enjoy a more perfect secl sion by embracing the rulg ot 3t. Therese. tho brown habit of Carmel and muke annual vows, but under no circumstances can thoy or any of the classes named ever wear the white habitof the Good Shepherd nuns, While in the house all inmates are expected to ob+ serve the rales, and all are subject tu the strict in- closure. Sewing by band and machine, embroidery, crocheting, kuiiting aud other female occupations are taught to each, a ing to her capacity. They have an hour's recreation alter dinner every day, tea at six, and then recreation until eight o’clock, prayers follow, and then to the dormitory, where each one Fo pa of clean sheets and a cosey bed all to It has been estimated that there are at least 20,000 of this class of females in York alone, It will be ob- served that four houses of the Good Shepherd seclude about 1,000 of them, traiming them to habits of indus- try and establishing them 1n virtue, while the Women’s Prison Association of New York report that ‘ia: mond Street Jailis a hotbed of vice and curruptioi ‘that what is not known to those in for first offences is soon learned from more hardened sipnera.’”’ In the new House of the Good Shepherd in Brooklyn there is ample space for 500, just double the number it now contains, The tempted clasy are entirely separated from the graduates 1p vice, and it is utterly impossible for one to coutaminate the other. The building is lo- cated at Atlantic and East New Yor enues, with sbacious grounds for recreation and ¢: 18@ wa healthful situation, Forty of the Sisters devote their time to the mission for which they were organized, and their labors are only limited by their means. They owe a debt of $90,000 on the buildings, If this debt could be paid the Sisters do not doubt their ability to meet all her expenses from the proceeds of such work as they can get for the inmates, As they are a cloistered Order they are unable to beg the means from door to door to liquidate this debt, and they appeal to the public to assist them, so (hat they may go on with the work which they have undertaken. WHY THE POLICE ARE INEFFICIENT, New Yorn, April 6, 1876. To tax Eviror of rue Henatp:— To what better use can the columns of an influential newspaper be put than that of advocating justice? It 1s certainly a highly gratifying phase of modern jour- nalism that the press is ever ready to cry down fraud and succor the afflicted. Apropos to this sentiment is your agitation of two important themes—‘‘Cheap Cab Hire” and the “Proposed Reduction in Policemen’s Pay.” . Concerning the latter, 1 have read with infinite Pleasure and relish the communications published by youto-day, I am thoroughly convinced that the whole aflair is but another infamous political trick, and I quite concur with Justice” that, “if this bill’ passes the police force will become demoralized and t city bo eee protection and a disgrace to the coun- try.” If the police did their duty as a body there can be no doubt in the most prejudiced mind that $1,200 annuaily (lesa uniform, &c., &c.) would be inadequate recompense for the services rendered. Of late much of a derogatory natare has been said about the moral status of the police and not without a shadow of rea- son. 1 bave, however, taken some pains to interview offi- cers und men and have adduced irom them the follow. ing facts:— in First—The men are not encouraged or protected the discharge of their dutios by their superior ollicers, As an instance of this J cite tho following authors ty:—A lew weeks sinc: # friend’s house wus entered fo broad daylight, in a much frequented street, and valuable silverware to a large amount was stolen, | was requested to attend to the case, and :mmodiately ‘upow the of the robbery went in search of an officer, After havin, iked haif a milo to the nearest police station without any signs of a guardian of the I stated my mission to the sergeant at the who referred mo to the ward detective, a near the sto’ 1 contided my errand. This follow, in that acuteness which in sheepish look: individual sitting di il seve teens oa ote Incking fiction has ever been attributed io the fraternity, was enough to inform me that if the thief was there the matter would end. bed vindicate a) assertion he drew trom id in the act of prying ope! it, and because the man had not taken anything the magistrate relused to commit uim.’”! Without Tareeer examination of my companion I learned that the larger thieves, receivers of stolen — — beg - rmous Logger sige at Police juarters, consequently esca| u ai} This I do not Felts WiKWOUS 4 n cause, ag all the members of the force to whom I talked corroborate it with simtlar experiences of the own, Second—Thore aro indubitably men wearing the unl form to-day in the service who should be im Sing Sing or Auburn Third—The “beats” of many: offcers are so lonely and extensive that thieves have ouly to wait til the patrolman’s back 18 turaed to them in order to ply their nefarious calling successtully ; and Hinally—The honest othcers who have beon retained Temain—are For these evils there is bat one [eels gore end simple, Ei Lt it of the depatumonte; Jot that feature of the bill which ay avi BE gent and Sontera ef such a course, it a glance that there is no The Scheie ie aa gauay aud knavist as any yet offered ou Se h the aspect nell included), Tremala vory reapeotiully you ut, Jr HOW TO DEMORALIZE THE POLICR New Yor, April 7, 1876. To rus Ecrtom or tax Hreauo:— The trick of the Police Commissioners by which they make any Citizen of the State eligible to the po sition of patrolman of the poljes force of this city isa very poor bait thrown out to gountry members of the ‘Legislature, No doubt many of them may look oa this as a very Valuable concession; but let them con- sider the circumstances which prompted that , aud they will very readily seo the snare set for them im the roundabout manner which the Commtssioners have taken to secure their votes for whatever arbitrary measures the Board way wisb to push through the Legisiature. ‘very sensible person most undersiand the arduous duties uf a policeman, the strict diwcipline they are anbject to, the necessity of huving their wits about hem as ail times, the dangers ‘are exposed to, ikowisu tho shabby man- ner in Ww! they are pensioned after being disabled im the discharge of thcir duty, Taking these thing! wuder consideration tho guardians of the peace have burdens to carry iar heavier t their batons. Let the make it &@ rule to dismiss a police Oficer without the loruality of « trial, and whayem couragement will an odicer gare to pay a siriet atten: tiva toduty? It will end to weaken his faith 10 honer ot advancement whicu be suowld derive from | Caccual, opright and fearless disemarge of his duty. Pesce Nn Bs ters sot # 4 triai op the esau againat i is my candid opinton that the polsce fore af tne et will be greatly