Letters and Literary Memorials of Samuel J. Tilden, v. 2Tilden, Samuel J. (Samuel Jones)
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Letters and Literary Memorials of Samuel J. Tilden, v. 2
Tilden, Samuel J. (Samuel Jones)
Tilden, Samuel J. (Samuel Jones), 1814-1886
"'I was again in Washington on the 27th, arriving in the
afternoon, four days after the safe was blown up. I went up to
Harrington's house, and he told me about what had transpired
during the blowing of the safe. He said that everything would
have worked all right except for the interference of Major
Richard, the superintendent of police, who would not co-operate
with him. After that I called upon Gen. Babcock at his office in
the White House. He spoke about the safe burglary, saying that
it was very badly managed; that he thought I was smarter than to
allow things to go on as they did. The next time I saw Babcock
was in New York, in the May following. I went up to the Fifth
Avenue Hotel in that city. After talking to him a while I said
that I expected that there would be some more trouble about the
case. Babcock said: "No; stand by your guns; I'll protect your
rear." I spoke to him about Bluford Wilson, then the Solicitor
of the Treasury, investigating my office in New York for the
purpose of ascertaining whether any of the secret-service men
were connected with the safe burglary, and then told him I would
do it, that is, stand by my guns if he protected the rear.
"'Soon afterward I had an interview with Harrington at the
Metropolitan Hotel, New York. I complained to him that the
whole matter of the safe burglary seemed to be falling upon
the secret service, and that we would likely get into trouble
about it. Harrington said: "No; I am the real district attorney
at Washington, and I will protect all of you." I told him that
Somerville wanted some money, and Harrington gave me $500 for
him. I paid it all to Somerville as part of his fee. Harrington
did not say what particular service Somerville rendered. During
the same month I had an interview with Babcock here. I called
to see him at his house. Harrington then lived a few doors from
him on the same row. I told Babcock I wanted to see Harrington,
and Babcock sent after him. Harrington came in by the alley gate
to Babcock's yard. I told Harrington that Somerville wanted
more money, but do not remember that Babcock heard me speak to
Harrington, or that he knew the money was to go to Somerville.
All I remember is that Harrington brought me the money, and
that I gave it to Somerville, who said he wanted to use it to
get Benton, the burglar who was arrested on the night of the
burglary, out.'
"In speaking of other interviews with Babcock, Whitley testified
as follows:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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