The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1870-02-10
GRANT, C0RBIN & co., AND THE
GOLD Ring.
Important Testimony of Fisk
and Gould.
Grant Implicated I'm the Conspiracy ia
force Gold up, i'm September last.

Jay Gould and james Fisk, Jr., ap-
peared prOmptlyt the capitol on Sat
urday last,-the latter in full velvet
suit, and resplendent with diamonds
to testify before .he gold panic investi-
eating committee. They were for some
time on the floor of the house, and were
introduced to members, creating cur
ious sensation. Their evidence lasted
six or seven hours, but can be boiled
down into the following resume: They
were anxious to have the crops of 1869
moved at as high prices as in 1868,
in order to furnish transportation for
the Erie road, but they saw that this
could not be done without a consequent
reverse in the price of gold.
Gold being low, they at once sought
to ascertain what the financial policy of
the administration would be. and to
that end preached the matter fist to
Gen. Grant, June 10Th, when he was
on his way to the peace jubilee, in Bos-
ton. This was at dinner on board Of
one of Fisk's steamers, and it appears
in the conversation that Grant was in
favor of an early resumption of specie
payments. He was told that this
would bring a crash; that gold was toe
low for good business even then, and
Grant replied: "Gentlemea, well, any
way, we might as well prick the bubble. y
Grant was again sounded by the
witnesses at Long Branch, but did not
make any definite reply on financial
topics. In the meantime, Gould be.
came acquainted with Corbin, the
presidents brotherin-law, and some
plan WIS developed by which Butter
field was to be made assistant treasurer
which was afterwards dons.
In July, Grant went to Newport, and
Gould wrote him 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 il
the administration would not sell gold
they Fisk and Could could put up
the price little. No reply was made
to this, and Corbin was brought into
their confidence. Corbin said he
could fix things al right with Grant
Feeling assured of this, $500, 900 in
gold was bought, 100000 for Mrs
Grant, 100000 for Porter, secretary
to The president The rest was divided
between Corbin and Gould, for up to
this time Fisk had not bought any gold.
Gould, at this stage, introduced Fisk
to Corbin, and the latter said that Mrs.
Grants gold had been sold, and a profit
of $50, 900 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 Mr..
Grant; that the government would not
sell gold; that Mrs. Grants letters to
Mrs. Corbin said SO, and that there need
he no 'measincss. Fish says that at
first he was not disposed to believe
Corbin, but the latter points were 50
positive that he placed full faith in him.
To make assurance doub,y sure, be.
fore more purchases were made, Corbin
said he would write to Grant. who was
(September 15th) at Washington, Pa,
and send the lettor by Fisk's confden-
tial man. This was done. The mes
senger, Chaplin by name, reached Wash.
ington, near Petersburg, at z a. IN,
routed up Grant, and handed him the
letter. He read part Of it, went into
another room, and in fifteen minutes re-
turned and said. "All right Cha
pin went at once to the nearest tcle-
graph Office, aud telegraphed to Fisk:
Letter delivered. Grant says it is
Iall right"