The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-12-28
JAY aoU1D's PLEA FOR PEACE.


New YORK, December II, 1872.
Dear Sir-Reierirng to my recent converse
tIon with you on the subject OF The claims OF
the Erie Railway: upon me, l answer that
there ia no longer any sufficient reason why
an adjustment OF all open questions satlsfao-
tory and honorable 10 all parties should not
now be made. 1 have at all times, since my
resignation as president Of the Erie Company,
been prepared 10 make conveyance TO 1t OF
properties belonging to the company to
which never made any claim. In addition
to these I have held In my name both real
and personal properties which I intend for
the use of the Erie Company, some OF which
were forced upon me to meet real e4lgencles
in the affairs OF the Erie Company during my
administration, and others of which pur-
chased rather with the expectation of bene-
filing the company through business to ac-
crue 10 the road than from any ther motive.
Upon YOUR construction Of my accounts
with the company am charged with all tne
MONEYS thus eXpe.ded, and the properties ID
question, therefore, belong to me. MY IDEA
is, rather, that they should 60 to the eompa-
nv. and that l should be credited with their
value.
Another question OF even more importance
grows out of the state In which was COM
pelled 10 keep my accounts with the company
at the time OF my withdrawal frcm the presl-
dency. could then have explained many
One account book belonging to the company
has been rnslaId since | left The presidency.
Through entries in 1t could readily account
for ali the discrepancies which you have
pointed out to me. II was Kept Tor this pur-
nose. and its loss Ia serious embarrassment.
But am willing and prefer to meet you 10
spirit that shall leave no question as 10 my
motives OF Intentions.
Take your own statement and your claim.
Ar fhn 1orIn 1HEate
New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and
Ohio, and the stocks md bonds which l men
TONED In my last conversation with you, De-
leve yon will consider worth more 10 tne
Erie Company than the total sum claimed;
some OF those properties were purchased Win
nv own means, and The company mas no
claim upon them, but they are necessary LOT
lls nse. now propose 10 convey an In tnese
properties, previously mentioned, and Will, 10
addition, convey the Grand O2era.house ana
aIl adjacent properties owned by Mr.. Fisk
and myself, the same to be freed by me from
all mortgages, to you, on receiving a full dis-
charge from the company.
do this Tor the sake OF peace, because any
litigation OF such questions is more annoying
than the loss of the money inyoiVed' ana e. oe.
cause am sincerely anxious for the success
of the Erie Company, In which have large
pecrniary interest.
Plense let me know as speedily as possible
whether this proposition is favorsbly enter
'" Yours respectfully, JAY GOULD.
Peter g. Watson, President Erie Railway.
PRESIDENT wATsoN's REPLY.
To this letter President Watson returned the
following feply:s - iaa
OFFICE OF THE ERIE RAILWAY COMPANY,
NEW YORK. December II, 1872.
JAY GouLD-Dear-Sr:-I have your favor OF
this date, the substance OF which Twill at
once submit 10 the special committee OF our
board having the claims against you IN charge
I cannot say what their action will be, bat
am satisfied with the explanations you have
made, aud will cheerfully recommend set
tlement on tue general terms sug g!ested oy
vou, as believe that The best interests OF the
Erle Company will be thereby served, and
that the properties in question are fully the
equivalent In value tU the company VI lls
claims against you of every character. WILL
call our committee together tomorrow, and
communicate their action to you. not d0uDl-
Ing that they will consider your offer, as do,
a fair one, under the circumstances, and one
which, from business point of view, should
be accepted in the interests OF the stoekhold-
ers OF the Erie Company.
Yours. respectfully,
PETER H. WATSON, President.
WHAT Mp wITsoN sAyS