Carolyn, I think I have found you answer. The sources for the information are no other than Nathaniel Hawthorne's little work called "The Intelligence Office" (March 1844) and chapter 22 of Herman Melville's book "The Confidence-Man" (1857). Both are quite entertaining to read. I will give a little of the latter here... CHAPTER XXII. IN THE POLITE SPIRIT OF THE TUSCULAN DISPUTATIONS. -- "'PHILOSOPHICAL INTELLIGENCE OFFICE' -- novel idea! But how did you come to dream that I wanted anything in your absurd line, eh?" ... "Oh, respected sir," whined the other, crouching a pace nearer, and, in his obsequiousness, seeming to wag his very coat-tails behind him, shabby though they were, "oh, sir, from long experience, one glance tells me the gentleman who is in need of our humble services." "But suppose I did want a boy -- what they jocosely call a good boy -- how could your absurd office help me? -- Philosophical Intelligence Office?" "Yes, respected sir, an office founded on strictly philosophical and physio -- " "Look you -- come up here -- how, by philosophy or physiology either, make good boys to order? Come up here. Don't give me a crick in the neck. Come up here, come, sir, come," calling as if to his pointer. "Tell me, how put the requisite assortment of good qualities into a boy, as the assorted mince into the pie?" "Respected sir, our office -- " "You talk much of that office. Where is it? On board this boat?" "Oh no, sir, I just came aboard. Our office -- " "Came aboard at that last landing, eh? Pray, do you know a herb-doctor there? Smooth scamp in a snuff-colored surtout?" ... It takes a while to find out what they are talking about - but a quite enjoyable read. In short, an "Intelligence Office" is an employment agency. It seems that the term is still in use - at least in Missouri. The St. Louis City Revised Code section 8.40.010 says: 8.40.010 Intelligence office defined. Whosoever shall open or keep an office or place in the City for the purpose of obtaining employment for others, or obtaining employees for others, or giving information whereby employers or employees may be obtained for a compensation to be paid by either party, shall be deemed to be the keeper of an intelligence office. (1948 C. Ch. 21 ' 1: 1960 C. ' 652.010.) And, in St. Joseph, MO a cost of an "Employment or intelligence office" business license starts at $25/year. To read Herman Melville's "The Confidence-Man" (1857) follow the link with the same title (under his name) from the following page. http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/modeng/modengM.browse.html To read Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Intelligence Office" in the United States Democratic Review (Mar 1844) go to the MOA database at Cornell: http://cdl.library.cornell.edu/moa/browse.author/h.71.html [Note: This was reprinted in 1854? in "Mosses from an Old Manse" which you can find at: http://www.eldritchpress.org/nh/intel.html ] Enjoy, - Mike >From: Carolyn Feroben <Sweetwater@sierratel.com> >To: CA-HISTORY-L@history.rootsweb.com <CA-HISTORY-L@history.rootsweb.com> >Date: Friday, September 29, 2000 10:50 AM >Subject: [CA-HISTORY] INTELLIGENCE OFFICE-1854 > >Looking at a street scene photo (ambrotype), Sonora-1854, one of the >buildings has a sign that reads: > >INTELLIGENCE OFFICE > >Anyone know what that is referring to? > >Thanks, Carolyn >