Although the Whisky Ring had in some way evaded prosecution by the secretaries of the Treasury who preceded Secretary Bristow, this gentleman had a clear case against them before they were aware of his intentions. The task had not been easy, as the distillers guarded their movements with great care and saw to it that some of the highest officers in government service were in their pay, and therefore kept the leaders of the Ring forewarned as to possible investigation, so that they might have all matters ready for examination. The tax levied by Congress was 50 cents per gallon. The distillers paid the collectors 30 cents; they in turn fixed their returns, giving to the government the smallest possible amount and dividing the balance among themselves. Secretary Bristow laboured diligently to break up this Ring, and great secrecy was imposed, even to the point of using a new cipher. The cleverest surveillance was exercised, and when information was in hand, distilleries were seized in St. Louis, Milwaukee, Indiana, and New Orleans, and men of highest social position were indicted. The trials were quiet and decisive. Many of those implicated were sent to the penitentiary; others fined. Interest was centred in St. Louis because it seemed to be the heart of the conspiracy. Against all persons, the evidence was sufficiently conclusive to bring a conviction, save in the case of O. E. Babcock, the private secretary to the President. While strong charges were made that he shared in the profits of the Ring, conclusive proof strong enough for conviction was lacking. It was also charged that he furnished information, but while his innocence was not established, neither was his guilt confirmed, and he was acquitted owing to the influence of the President, who resented his implication very strongly. He always believed implicitly in the men he selected for his confidence and service. He felt the same sense of indignation and personal resentment when it was proved that his Secretary of War, W. W. Belknap, shared in the profits of a sutler’s shop on an Indian reservation. Belknap would undoubtedly have been impeached but for submitting his resignation, which was accepted by the President with great regret. Secretary Belknap’s weakness and fall have often been laid to the door of a young, attractive, and socially ambitious wife, whose love of jewels and pretty clothes made her demands exceed her husband’s income. Because of his pride in her and the desire to gratify her in her vanity, he was led into a step that destroyed all the splendid record of a lifetime. William Worth Belknap came from an old and prominent family. His career in the Civil War had been conspicuous for his gallantry in action. From the post as Internal Revenue Collector in Iowa, he was called to the Cabinet. This new honour inspired a natural desire to look after old friends. This attitude was shared by his first wife, and led to difficulties.