, 1873-05-19
1HE-yIENNA COM MISSION
Gen..: Van Buren's Defense.
letters to President Grant and secre-:
~tary Fish. =

Jattars to President Grant and Secre.
~tary Fish: " :,
An Affidavit Of innocence.
From The Iye,o FORK Times, Hay ls.
Tbe following letters from Gen Van Burer
ire nov foE the first time made public. Til
tales are his own:
f5ts;da:t 0. s. Grant:
I Ia. PRESIDENT: can scarcely believe that i
=! Is vo4r hand that hes stricken me- down-that i
:: l. b. your order am degraded from the position
p.It, and the duties Of which I go reluctant;
tssrned-that you destroyed my character
snd overwhelmed my family with mortifica,
ton and shame Through two political cam
/ p.igns have, at my own expense, and without
fse Or rekara Of any kind, given my best efforts
/ ti;hest regard and now, without explanation
1 tthout the least information Us to what I nm
. secused OF, or who are my acc1serB, I nm b,
j snr oder made a by word and scorn, and tht
i G1nlees reputation Of 3 Life is scattered to the
1nds: What have I done7 I pray you ygive
u ns the poor privilege OF knowing. For ter
months have devoted myself and all that
I'D to the best interests OF American exhibit
CTS and the credit and honor Of ow country.
During that time have spared no exertion OF
e1penEe to make our exhibition SUCCESS, and !
IN utterly unconscious of doing or authorizing
10 be done single wrong Or unworthy thing.
And wish here to say in the most emphatic
hnguags, but with the greatest respect.
Cat The pesson toho asserts or inimdtes thai haze
Ter received, asked, been promised, or erpect q
rhateue,, ellie. directly or indirectly, from auy
appointment o., concession, or 6y reason Of my
tosition. or in any tDay in connection a0lh this
Inhibition, is a cotcardty knaue and !iar.
The accursed malgnity and unhallowed auahi-
ton and vanity Of John jag have for months
son, that he might obtain some notoriety him.
seif. a year before Congress took action upon
the proposition to have our country represented
It this exhibition; the subject had been present.
: JsY took no steps to put our Government OF
people in possession Of information to the in
tentions Of the Austrian Government, or the i'm
portance and value OF the. exhibition, to our
people; but when my appointment was made, I
i'm told he remarked that twas not the proper
parson," and, although by every subsequent mai1
le overwhelmed me with voluminous personal
letters, many OF them crowded with fulsome
/ maises, he began at the same time, and con-
| tnues- until nov to serd official dispatches
| to the stato Department, the object OF which
sss to. undermine my position, and finally
-@~-0
III. Fish, and -euch. Was my confidence in
| Nur sense OF justice, and your 'tirmness
| nd love Of far deahng, that entertained no
.gpeheuslona az to the result: IL devoted my
ell solely and continuously to my duties 1
dst:rmined On SUCCESS, believing that success
J Would put to shame fault-tindinS and abuse.
I Nss ever success more certainly achieved!
] Without assistance. without funds, have gath
| red from all sections Of our country vast
snount ct rich material to represent our indus"
ties in q foreign land. Exhibitors, about 800 in
r7nber, have again and again testified to my
tvoton and energy, and have looked forward,
b receive at last the warm approval OF our Gov
anment and people. For months John Jay car
| I'D on his infamous designs to countornct my
| e1orts, and get whatever honors might attach
| the exposition himself. l was permitted to
| hsor like slave; I. was encouraged to ship
gods from our shores ! was allowed to sail
III Europe with my family, and to reach the
Austrian capital. 1 sods ecen recesged to'h open
ams 6y Ar. Joy, and ny soi5e and myself En-
aa9aned, 'o1th Others At has ttl6te but Just as the
grand opening OF the e1h1pinon Is TO take
Pace, and the Emperor OF Anstrla ls 70 receive
ha representatives OF the dn1erent nations, tue
ns Is spEnng 9nd re nono5ed name o. the
PRESIDENT Of the United states ~ Is @ usea @ 70 ss1ke
dD8t-fD