The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1872-11-07
LINCOLN AND SEWARD.
The Use of the Presidents Secret Service
Fund.
From the Boston Journal. I

From the Boston Journal.
just before Mr. Seward handed over
the Department of State to the Premier
of General Grants administration, 1 call
ed on the Secretary at his official resi-
dcnce He was in fine heth and spirits,
and spent an hour in chatty conversation,
President Lincoln being the subject of
the talk. MIR. Lincoln, he said, carried
with him through his whole career as
President, the simple habits which mark
ed him in his law practice in Springfield
If he wanted anything OF the Department,
instead of ringing the bell and calling a
messenger, he would take his hat and run
around from one Office to another, just as
one lawyer would run around to the Office
of a brother practitioner If missed at
night, those in the secret could track him
from place to place and be sure to come
up with the President in some one of his
favorite haunts. He saw no reason why
he should not enjoy himself as President
as we'll as when he was plum Abraham
Lihcolh. The President had the utmost
horrors of forms aud red tape He did
not care how things were done provided
they were done. Adjutant General
Thomas was sent out to relieve General
Graut. Before he had chance to serve
his papers Vicksburg surrendered and
Thomas did not dare disturb matters, so
he came home to make his peace with the
President /; for as a soldier-and in time
of war-he had violated orders. He sent
a friend to sound the President on the re
turn to Washington. The President was
delighted with the surrender Rubbing
his hands he said /: "Tell Thomas to
come in. He did just right. He ought
to have been shot if he had obeyed orders" !"
One day lady came to Mr. Stewards
Office aud handed him scrap of paper,
on which was scribbled few lines The
purport Of the note was "Let this woman
have Sl00 on account OF the Secret Service
Fund, and send her on her mission" The
note was signed A. d. 1t is we'll known
that Congress votes the President from
$50 900 to 100000 annually as Secret
Service Fund. OF this, the Secretary Of
State is the custodian. lie must counter.
sign the Presidents order or not dollar
of the fund can be used. But after the
President receives the money fobody can
INQUIRE what he does with it. Mr.. Seward
INQUIRED Of the woman what secret service
she was to perform that would justify his
paying her SlO0. "Well, she was going
to Englaud to create a public sentiment
there in favor of our country" The case
was what Mr.. Seward supposed. The
woman had been hanging round the White
House, bothering the life out of the Presi
dent, and to get rid of her he proposed to
give her 500. II can give yon no money
for such purpose" said the Secretary OF
State. "Your services are worth nothing.
In London you would be damage and
not benefit to US. | can't throw away
the peoples money iD that fashion for
you" The lady was not only indignant,
bat astonishcd. $50 you refuse to obey
the Presidents order 2" 81 DO" "And
you are greater man than Mr.. Lincoln;
and when he says let me have 500 of
of his own money, you say | shap't have
it "WelI, Madam, il the President wants
to give you 500 out of his own salary,
he has perfect right to do it. But you
can have no money out of the Secret
Service Fund for such Tom Fools er
rand as you are starting on" "Give me
my papers, sir, if you please" said the
excited lady, and of she started to find
the President. Mr. Lincoln groaned as
she crossed the threshold. "Well, that
new ?" MIR. Seward won't give me the
money - and she told her story. "Well,
Madam" said the President, 81 can do
no more for you. l told you | had very
little Influence with this Administration" !"