William Patrick Wood (1820 - 1903). First director of the United States Secret Service. Wood was sworn in July 5, 1865 and resigned from the position in 1869. Wood headed the position when counterfeiting was extremely prominent in the United States, and he is well known for his success in catching over 200 counterfeiters during his four-year tenure. In the years leading up to the Civil War, Wood operated as a conductor for the underground railroad assisting hundreds of former slaves escaping to New England and Canada. In preparation for John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry he led drills and wrote a a book on tactics though ultimately he withdrew his support for the raid. Wood was appointed by Secretary of War Edwin Stanton to serve as superintendent of the Old Capitol Prison during the Civil War.
ALS. 2 pages. 5" x 8". Washington January 16, 1871. To Honorable D.C. Ackerman,Attorney General;
Dear Sir:
"While holding position under the Secretary of the Treasury, Hon Hugh McCulloch, an individual known as Charles Sands was detected arrested, tried, and convicted, on the charge of counterfeiting the securities of the U.S. Sands is now imprisoned in the Penitentiary of Maryland (Baltimore) for the offense."
"I have learned on repeated occasions that Sands has gave evidence (by his conduct) since his imprisonment, from gentlemen in whom I have great confidence and upon their representation of the case, I join in recommending him to executive clemency."
"Sands has served about four years of his sentence; and has been in my opinion sufficiently punished for the offence committed which was not of that class of offences which receive as a general rule more terms of servitude than he has already served."
"Hoping favorable action I remain with much respect your servant,William P. Wood”
A rarely seen letter by the first head of the Secret Service.
