The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-04-17

During the early part of the war, the rebels
kept up constant communication with their
friends in Washington, and vice Uersa, to the
great wonderment Of true loyal men. General
Baker in his new book, History of the Secret
Service gives little light on this subject, in
the following extract which we clip from the
advanced sheets, which are now in the hands
of Geo. Il. Davis & Co. of this city, Publishers
Agents for the State of Maine:
1 learned about this time that persons con-
nected with distinguished politicians were en-
gagged in suspicious business in Washington.
The names were Mrs r., Miss IL. b. B. and
M. 3. b.. a Baptist minister.
also learned that Mrs. t. was the mother of
Miss b., the sister-in-law OF Hon. Montgomery
Blair, Postmaster-ieneral,a and that Mrs T.
and her friends resided in Fauquier County,
Virginia. The passes had been procured on
the recommendation of Postmaster Blair, to
give these persons the opportunity to get few
Of the necessaries of hie."
An espionage of the visitors disclosed a traf-
fc in quinine of considerable extent.
They had visited three drug stores, and pur-
chased sir hundred ounce This was taken to
the house of Mr.. Gallagher, brother of Miss Il.
To ascertain in what way the quinine was to
be conveyed, resort was had again to the con-
traband.
A negro servant at Mr.. Gallaghers house
soon reported that Miss b. was engaged in
making D skirt formed ofsections, or long pock-
cts, lined with oiled silk.
The smugglers were so closely watched that
every movement in the purchase was known
within half an hour after il occurred
/ had decided not to arrest them until they
were over our lines. After thev left Washing
ton, called on the Hon. Ms. Blair, and told
him the particulars IN regard to his friends /;
when and where the medicine was obtained
the manufacture of the skirt for its transporta-
ton, &e. further apprised him that they had
that morning started for home Mr. Blair lis
tened TO my story, and then pleasantly remark
ed: why, Baker, those persons are as loyal as
you are, and loaned them the money"
Then taking his bank book from his drawer,
he added: r.=..t -
"See; l have just had my note for five hun
| dred dollars discounted to help these poor peo-
| pie" 2sla
Ireplied: Mr.. Blair, cannot be mistaken
Exhibiting much impatience at my positive
| ness, he said:
well arrest them; and II you fnd the qui-
| nine nut them in the Old Capitol.
| Three miles over the lines, l stopped the
| travellers aud informed Miss b. that / wanted
| to examine the skirt. She Immediately went
into a farm house, took off the garment, and
! threw it down Indignantly, SAYING: $50 this
| is the way you treat Southern ladies'"
| The whole party were then escorted to Wash
| ington. 1s4 DsasLa5 1850 - SAX
Miss b. and Mr.. b. were lodged in the Old
Capltol PRISON. upon reporting the facts to
the Secretary of War, he directed me to turn
the quinine over to the medical director, the
horse and wagon to the quarter master, and
the groceries TO the hospitals.
The next morning the Hon. Montgomery
Blair and Miss b. called, and demanded the
restoration of the property.
Informed them of its disposal.
On the afternoon of that day, MIR. Blair came
back with written order from MIR. Lincoln 10
deliver up the goods ,.nod
told him that this was impossi6ie, Ior =. 'i',u
| already been handed over to the poNe'"'
| by authority of the Secretary oi a., H., o,ioo
He then demanded my removal ir9ii ti',i
Mr. Lincoln did not see that h,'u 9isop1S ~ @ 80
| any order. and failed to appiecia!e & nls = ost- @
masters regard for law ana MS 'ou'nerh
hiTieS Srhe narties we're kept in prison several
| ,,,oaI's and then paroled.
rh;s hook. which is an octave volume of over
7oo nares, will be ready for delivery in short
time, and will BE- sold by subscription only. Re
sponsible Agents wanted in every County.
"A Yankee captain was caught in the jaws
of a whale, but was finally rescued oadly
wounded. On being asked what Ire Thought
while in that situation, he replied: 1 thought
| h, would make about forty barrels