Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-01-26
GOLD GAWBLING-FIsK, GOULD
81 co.

Since the severe castigatiOn which
Judge Trumbun gave Sumner in the Sen
ate in the discussion Of the Virginia bill,
there has been another senation, of a some
what different character and yet quite as
entertaining. We refer to the examination
of ]. Fisk, jr., and Jay Gould, before the
Gold Gambling Investigation Committee.
In their examination they said they were
anxious to have the crops Of 1869 moved
at as high a price as in 1865, TO furnish
transportation for the Erie Road, but this
could not be done without an increase in
the price of gold. They at once sought
to ascertain what the financial policy Of
the Administration would be, and to that
end preached the matter first to Gen.
Grant on June -, when he was on his
way to the Peace Jubilee in Boston.
This was at dinner, on board of one
of the Fisk steamers. Il appeared
in the conversation that Grant was in favor
of an early resumption of specie pay
ments. He was told that it would bring a
crash, and that gold was too low for good
business even then. But Grant replied:
''Gentlemen, well, any way, We might as
well prick the bubble Grant was again
sounded by the witnesses at Long Branch,
but did not make any definite replies on
financial topics. In the meantime Gould
became acquainted with Corbin, the Presi-
dents brother-in-law, and some plan was
developed by which Butterfeld was to be
made Assistant Treasurer, which was af-
terNard done in July. Grant went 10
Newport, and Gould wrote him 2 letter,
which Fisk carried, arguing against
reducing the price Of gold, stating that
the time was near at hand when the crops
of the country would be moved, and that
if the Administration would not sell gold,
they CFisk s. Coz would put up the price.
Corbin said he could fix things all right
with Grant. Feeling assured OF this,
$500, 600 of gold were bought $780,
900 for Mrs. Grant, and $500, 600 forPOr-
ter, Secretary to the President The rest
was divided between Corbin and Jay
Gould, for, up to this time, Fisk had not
bought any gold. Gould at this stage in
troduced Fisk to Coybin, and Corbin said
that Mrs. Grants gold had been sold and
the profit of So, 500 had been RENTED
to her at Washington. Corbin explained
TO Fisk all his arrangements with Gould,
and said that he (Corbin) was behind the
throne; that he could regulate Grant;
that the Government would not
sell gold; that Mrs. Grants letters
TO Mrs. Corbin said so, and that there was
TO be no uncasiness, etc. Fisk says that
at first be was not disposed to believe
Corbin, but The laGcr's points were 50
positive that BE placed fun faith in him.
To make assurance doubly sure, before
more purchases were made, Corbin said
he wrote TO Grant, who was then Sept.
15) at Washington, Penn, and sent the
letter by Fish's confidential man. The
messenger, Chaplin by name, reached
Washington, near Pittsburg, at Z 4. NJ,
hunted up Gen. Grant, and handed him
the letter. He read part of it, then went
into another room, and in fifteen MN
utes returned and said call right. -
Chapin went at once to the nearest
telegraph Office and telegraphed to
Fisk: Letters delivered. Grant says all
right" Fisk says that on The day before
the dark Friday he saw Corbin, who said,
"Au Is now right. That letter to Grant
has clinched matters Fisk and Gould
then commenced to buy gold, and it rose
from l37 to al, and opened at al on the
dark Friday. A broker, named William
Beldcn, asked TO participate in the trans
action, and gave Fisk power to buy gold
for him One Albert Speyers was Beld-
ems broker il these purchases. Gold rose