Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-09-30
DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND.
The History of Colonel whifIey's
SurvefIlance of the south Ameri-
can steamshfps-W what Van Du-
zen's Photograph Did.

can steamships- what Van Du-
zen's Photograph Did.
From the New York Sun. 25th.l
Early in May last Colonel Whitley,
Chief of the Secret Service Division,
learned that large quantity of dia-
monds was being constantly smuggled
into the United States through the officers
of the South American steamers. Strict
watch was kept, and two detectives were
detailed. The first thing to be ascer-
tained was the name and residence of
the consignee. After six weeks search
the man was found. The person proved
to be Mr.. B. f. Moore, diamond broker
and jeweler, of SO Nassau street.
Through secret movements photo
graph Of William r. Van Duzen, of Rio
Janeiro the person shipping the dia-
monds, was secured. On the morning
of the 26th of July last two innocent
looking men were lowering around the
pier of the South American Steamship
Company They walked up and down
the wharf, seemingly awaiting the arrival
of some dear friend. One was tall and
wiry with the air of Spanish hidalgo.
The other was short and thick-set. They
were Col. Whitley's men. Presently the
steamer South America, of the compa-
ny's line, ran up the river, and in mo-
ment more she was in the dock. The
detectives scanned each passenger
closely. All were soon ashore, and one
OF the detectives walked down the gang
plask. In second he was in conversa-
ton with the surgeon of the vessel.
"Do you know that mang said the
detective mildly, producing carte Of
Van Duzen.
Surgeon-Yes, sir; that is Van Du-
zen, of Rio.
Detective-Well, you have a package
from him, and have been sent tor it.
Surgeon-From whom2
Detective-From Mr.. Moore, of So
Nassau street
Surgeon-All right, sir.
Quickly turning on his heel, the sur
geon dived down into an inner vest
pocket and drew forth a small letter
package, about six inches long and three
wide. II was cross-tied with small
I)iece of white cord. This is it, sir,
lie said; "you will have to be careful. "
The detective assured him that he
NOulu Dt CdTciul, anu DiuuiuB nm
" good-day" departed.
In few moments the detective was on
a Bleecker street car, and soon in the
headquarters of the Service Division.
In the presence of the Chief the pack
age was opened and found to contain
seven smaller packages inclosed in
common letter envelope bearing the
mark of the Weed Sewing Machine Com
pany. In each Of the smaller packages
were inclosed the precious stones, folded
together like homeopathic doses. They
were valued at about $4,000 in gold.
The seizure was kept perfectly quiet,
and Moore was left unmolested in his
office in Nassua street. Meantime a
strict watch was kept for the arrival of
the next steamer. On the 2lst Of AI-
gust the North America (sister ship ar
rived The same method of securing
th q diamonds was adopted, and with like
results. The haul was greater, however,
in the second seizure, the diamonds be-
ing of a finer quality and larger. The
valuation exceeded $1,000 clear.
ThinGing the game had been played
long enough Colonel Whitley arrested
Moore last Friday, the day on which the
Merrimac, the third steamer of the line,
was due. Moore was taken before
United States Commissioner and held in
default of $4,000 bail.
Expecting, though hardly deeming it
probable, a third attempt would be made
by Van Duzen to smuggle further
quantity into the country, Detective
N--b was placed at the steamship
companys wharf late on Friday night
to watch the movements of the officers
of the vessel. The men had evidently
got wind of the interference of the Sc
cret Service detectives, but when the de-
tectives threatened to search the vessel,
the surgeon gave up the diamonds.
They were wrapt up in the same man
ner as the former packages, and secured
tightly with heavy white twine.
y" See that said the chief to the Sun
reporter, as he held the bauble up to the
light. That stone is worth over $1,000,
and the duty is over 40 per cent. You
see it is an object to smuggle such as
that" The remaining packages were
opened one by one, and the whole was
found to amount to about $4,000, making
Sll, 100 in all.
Colonel Whitley now believes that he
has successfully broken up the traffic in
that gu -rter.