《明史·志·卷五十二》
锦衣卫掌管侍卫、缉捕、刑狱的事务，常由功勋大臣、外戚都督统领，恩泽袭荫挂衔官员没有固定人数。
锦衣卫，掌侍卫、缉捕、刑狱之事，恒以勋戚都督领之，恩荫寄禄无常员。
The Imperial Guards were in charge of guard duty, arrests, and legal matters, they were usually commanded by meritorious ministers, in-laws of the governor, and officials with titular appointments passed down from their fathers. They had no fixed number of hereditary officials.