Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-03-12
GRANT AND STEWART.

WASHINGTON, March S.-Judge II
ton, upon receiving this information, z
a into his carriage again, and was driV
once more to the White House. He W
, admitted to the President without della
, and then and there had most interes
ing talk. He told the President how d
Senate had been induced, under fal
impression, to postpone any action on Il
all important question. President Ora
again expressed his deep regret at Il
delay, and repeated his expressions u
tered at the first interview as to no
much he was panied and embarrassed
the situation, and how earnestly he d,
sired the services of Mr. Stewart in b
cabinet. 1t had been his purpose a
along, he said, to invite Mr.. Stewart
assume control of the Treasury Depar
ment, and if he should now be obliget
by legal difficulty, to abandon his Ion
cherished design, he would feel that b.
himself and the country had sustained
great loss. The President then proceede
to uabosom himselfcompletely on the sui
ject Mr.. Stewards appointment. Dur
ing his many visits to New York, he ssi
he had visited the establishments of Nj
Stewart, had noticed the wonderful reg
ularity of every thing--the order, systeI
and smooth working of every department
and had been so profoundly impressed
with the capacity Of Mr.. Stewart for tn
highest administrative duties that he hat
made up his mind Mr. Stewart was tn,
very man needed for the Treasury De.
partment. Mrs. Grant had also set hel
heart upon having Mrs. Stewart in Wash
ington with her, and had frequently ex.
pressed desire that Mr.. Stewart should
be offered some suitable post that would
induce him and his estimable lady to re.
main in Washington. Should Mr.. Stew
arts appointment fail, therefore, il
would be double disappointment. lie
would not yet give it up, however. lie
felt confident the Senate and the House
would still repeal the disabling section,
and stated that he had strong assurances
from leading Senators and Representa-
tiVes to support its belief
After a very long interview Judge
Hilton took leave Of the President and
returned to his hotel. He found Mr..
Stewart alone in his room and in a very
thoughtful mood. Judge" said Mr..
Stewart, "a new idea has occurred to me
since we parted. | have been thinking
it over in my mind, and think it is one
that will obviate the difficulty" "Ins
deed" said Judge Hilton, smiling, what
is this new idea, then ?" at is this,
Judge: have been thinking of making
an absolute transfer of the business Of
my establishments during the term /
might serve as Secretary of the Treasury;
the business to be turned over to three
trustees-as, for instance, yourself VIM.
B. Astor and James Brown-the pros
ceeds to be devoted to the charities of
New York city, in any way agreed upon
by TIE trustees. What do you think Of
it, Judge ?" Judge Hilton, who under
stands Mr.. Stewart thoroughly, was not
in the least surprised at the proposal.
Any other man perhaps would have been
amazed, but Judge Hilton was not, in
the least. Instead, therefore, of uttering
EXPLANATIONS of wonder, the Judge, after
mentally revolving the proposal, an
swered briefly, "By George, Mr.. Stew
art, believe it can be done Yes, sir,
| think it can be done b
The two thereupon set to work rapid
ly maturing the plan, and after spending
about half an hour thus their carriage
was called for again. They put on their
coats and hats, ran down stairs, jumped
into the carriage and off again to the Ex-
ecutive Mansion. Another visit, and SO
soon, called into President Grants face
an expression as nearly resembling as
constituent as his calm features are sus-
ceptible Of When they entered he was
sitting in his chair at the end of the long
table, smoking cigar. He got up to re-
ceive them, and after his visitors were
seated, resumed his own chair and cast
toward them curiously inquisitive look,
as much as to say, "What in the world
is to come now ~ He was not long left
in suspense. Mr.. Stewart opened con-
Versation. "Mr. President" said he, al
have come to make proposal, which
hope will be acceptable, and at the same
time relieve you Of any embarrassment"
The President here listened with some
expression of solicitude. He expected,
no doubt, Mr.. Stewart was about to say,
II tender you my unconditional resigna-
ton" Mr.. Stewart continued, and as he
spoke Grant listened with deeper and
deeper attention. Finally Mr.. Stewart
stated his proposal distinctly. President
Grant took the cigar out of his mouth;
let it drop on the floor, and looked strong
" in Mr.. Stewards face without uttering
a word. Mr.. Stewart broke the silence
by asking, rs the proposal acceptable to
you ~
President Grant-"Acceptable Of
course it is. 1t is the most magnanimous
thing l ever heard of in my whole life.
Acceptable, of course but Twas only
thinking whether l ought to allow yeu,
sir, to make such sacrifice for my sake.'
Mr.. Stewart-"Never mind that, GEN
eral. | have enough to live on for the
rest OF my life. 1t will be pleasure to me
to do this. My affection for you and desire
to serve my country, if can, prompt me
to do it and if it is acceptable to you |
will do So"
ceptable; but you are sacrificing a great
deal of money for me, and | am thinking
that it is question whether | ought to
permit it."
Mr. Stewart-Don't mind that part Of
it, General Providence has been very
good to me He has done more for me
than deserve, and do this thing no W
very cheerfully. Do you think the plan
will satisfy the legal difficulties, and
meet with the approval of Congress
President Grant, have no doubt it
will
Mr.. Stewart-Then | shall take the
necessary steps to do it
Judge IIilton-I have advised Mr.
Stewart that the plan he proposes will
remove all legal distractions, but wish
to consult with distinguished legal gem
tlemen on the subject. 1t is better,
therefore, before doing anything further
on the subject to consult with such dis
tinguished lawyers and Judges as may be
in the city
After some further conversation, Mr..
Stewart and Judge Hilton took leave of
the President again To complete the
story, have to add that the plan for the
transfer was drawn, submitted to several
distinguished judges and lawyers, and
approved To a number of gentlemen
who called upon him this evening about
the matter, Mr.. Stewart said "Gentle-
men, do this on account of my esteem
for Gen. Grant. He thinks ] can serve
him in the cabinet. l will do my best to
do So l have no friends to reward, no
enemies to punish, no children to pro-
vide for / desire to serve my country
only in this business"
HEAVY FINE.
A trial has been pending some time past
in the United States Court, between Pat.
L l. -.