The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1870-10-06
Mr.. Fisk and General Grant.

A number of reports having been publish
cd in the New York and Boston papers in
relation to the order issued by Mr.. Fisk refu-
sing TO allow Gen. Grant and his staff free
transportation over the Narragansett line of
steamers, the admiral writes an explana-
ton Of that and other matters to the New
York Sun. He says:
"My reason for taking this course (yiew-
ing the matter in common sense light) was
that was weary of furnishing free transport
tation to the President and his innumerable
relations over the sea and land, as did to a
very great extent last summer, particularly
! as had not the satisfaction of knowing that
the ciyilities extended were appreciated, new.
| er even having been thanked for the efforts
had made in the matter.
On reviewing the transactions of the past
| year, | found that had not only furnished
large amount of free transportation, but
had been allowed the great privilege of sub
scribing to Mr. Grants charities. In the
final settlement Of the gold speculations ofthe
fall of 1862 in which | supposed land still
believed the President was partner with us,
l find the following item charged to my. &C.
count: "One- half of Grants subscription to
the Rawlins fund. $500" The crcumstan-
ces are simply these:
A subscription was started for the widow
Of the late lamented Rawlins. The Presidents
placed his name at the head of the list for
81 900, Mr.. Gould followed for similar
amount, and these signatures were follow by
others for various amounts.
Mr.. Gould having himself paid the amount
set opposite his name, was called upon by an
agent Of the President to advance Yhe money
for his (the Presidents) subscription and
this he did, taking it for granted that this
disbursement was part and parcel of other
moneys passing through the hands of Mr..
Corbin. | was, of course, charged my pro-
portions but | should never have found fault
with this, nor would have even mentioned
it, were it not for the manner in which the
President gossipped about me in the fall of
1869. Why he did so CATER what had
done for him) is only known to him who
'makes the apples round" 44'
Taking all the circumstances Of the case
into consideration, and feeling, not like Mi
cawber, waiting for something to turn up"
but to certain extent broken in spirit, not
being even thanked for what | had done,
determined, after quietly communing with
my own heart, to restore my peace of mind
by hepccforth treating the President Of the
United States and all connected with him,
as becomes the position he occupies at the
head of this great nation, ignoring his treat
ment of nc, and never for one moment as
suming that deser e any thanks from him,
or bore the slightest resemblance to gentle
man. ~ t aejE
The result of this determination was the
issue of an order that whenever the Presi-
dent, or any of his family, or staff, travelled
on any OF the steamers of the Narragansctt
line they should be treated with the greatest
respect, but not upon any other footing than
that of ladies or gentlemen.
The Republican press endeavors to make
party capital out of all this, instead of placing
my order before the public as it was actually
ssued-an order, will say, in conclusion,
which was simplysintended to impress upon
the officers and men under my charge that
they, as well as myself, are but the servants
Of the public.
Very respectfully,
JAMES FISK, JR."