Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1866-01-26
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE
WASHINGTON, Jan. 10th.

w ASiltNGToN, Jdn. lOlI.
Eps DrMocRAT:-Who in the Northwest
has not heard of the n torious Government
Detective, l.. G. Baker, Brigadier General
By the ter'Is of an order from the Var De
partmcnt, his commssif n was cancelled on
the 18th instant, aud he is mustered ont Of
the "scrvicc." 1t should be borne In mini
however, that the military officers here dis
claim Bakers right to recognition as OF the
military service, proper, since he did not
receive his title Of Brgadicr General hy
reason % merltofious cond. in the field
nor on account Of service IA the army of the
United States. His promotion to Brig
adiership was the work ot MIR. Stanton, u r.
on imp,rtuni,ies OF Baker. who asked the
distinction as a sort of healthy covering u
hide his dsrcpuable conduct whilst acting
in the capacity Of chief thief catcher, etc ,
for the Government This detective has hai
his dav now his troubles will commence,
for he can no longer, at his own bidding
bring to his aid the strong arm "f the Gov
crnmcnt TO protect him from the vengeance
of outraged citizens, who have been he sut
fcr,rs in person and property from tho un
constitutional and utterly Illegal acts ofthis
man
Baker had become so impudcnt, and fell
so entirely secure from the reach cf all men
save the Secretary of War, that he actual
ly attempted t, play the Detective upon the
President and his household some weeks
ago. There is scarcely u doubt, however
that this last specimen of indecency and
wonderful .impudcuee WIS encouraged, fnp,
suggested. by some of the Presidents
"Raitcai trtads." The "Great detective
made an utter future OF his espionage upon
the Executive mansion. for it was somehow
discovered b, Mr. johnson, who sent a
messenger to bring Baker immediately into
his presence. The detective dropped every
other consideration, and repaired with all
haste To the White House, totally at fault
as to the purpose oil he summons from the
President. His name being announced.
the President directed that he be at once
admitted, notwithstand. NJ the pr,serce CT
several gentlemen then engaged with Mr..
johnson. The latter most unccr, monous
~ charged Baker with his viilainous cspi
onagc, and informed him that if he sgain
heard Of his presence in or proving about
the White House, or if he permitted any
one of his creatures TO sneak around the
premises the "Grcat Detective" should
himself lodge IN sou.e ono OF the dngy
cells in the Old Capitol, whore 50 many had
been incarccrated upon the simple ord,r Of
Baker himself, without warrant, or the
scmblancc cf law or Justice
The" Great Detective" was amazed at
what he heard, and remained speeches.
whilst the President scored him. Upon the
Presidents command, go. SIR Baker
hastily moved towards the door; but, be-
fore he quite arrived there, Mr.. johnson
added: " Hold one moment, sir, l desire
that you now go to the Secretary of Wur,
and tell him every word have said to you,
and Shaking his finger at him, )don't you
ever let me sec you here again"
The Great Detective" lcf' instanter, and
has obeyed the last injunction Of the Presi-
dent most religiously. CITIZEN.