The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1876-03-15
Mrs. Belknap interviewed.
g 1t Is Very Hard to Keep Still,
But the General Must
Be Obeyed."
I" 1t Will be all Right in the End. y
How Belknap Has Aged.
The Presidents Disquiet.
Especial to New York Herald

Especial to New York Herald
WASHINGTON, March 1O.-Rumor has as
serted here that Mira Belknap has m ade
threats against the peace of the Republican
party; that she declares there are facts in he,
possession which would ruin the governm emit
and show some high men to be the basest on
earth, with much more of the same sort. A
lady who visited Mrs. Belknap tonight fur
nishes the following account of her visit:
A rosy checked English girl opened the
door. I had pencilled message upon the
card l sent, and heard up stairs a hasty
conference in low tones. Then Mrs. Belknap
came down, greeting me in her own charming
way-a way no one can resist. She was plain
ly dressed in a heavy black silk; simple knot
of cherry ribbon fastened the ruche at her
throat; the soft, dark hair was simply parted,
and dainty little cap of French muslin, with
cherry ribbons, covered her head Not bit
Of jawelry was visible. We talked in low
tones, as one would talk in the presence Of
death.
said: "Mrs. Bslknap, you must know
that there are terrible runners afoat, and am
very anxious to help you it can. It is said
that you are furious because those SO much
more guilty are striving to build upon your
ruin, and the papers are full Of statements
purporting to come from you"
They are utterly FALSE" she replied, slowly
and sadly. sit is very hard to keep still,
very hard to know how am slandered and to
be told that must seal my lips. But must
obey Gen. Belknap's counsel, and have said
nothing to any one"
Ibid you know Mrs. Williams, the wife of
the late Attorney General, was in town, and
that, exulting in your sorrow, she is telling
the most infamous stories ?"
81 did not know that she was here, but
she may say what she likes. only wish that
every woman on earth, who knows anything
Of me or of my life, would come forward and
tell all that she knows I hope Mrs. Williams
will say everything she chooses. My life has
not been one of ooncealment"
| "Did you not give authority for the story
published by the Graphic ?"
"What story? have not seen a newspa-
per. [ know nothing of what has been said.
l have given no authority for any statement
whatever"
| repeated the Graphic's assertion that she
had employed nv. Marsh to invest the amount
of Nj. Bowers's life policy. I'D that, without
any agreement Whatever, he had voluntarily
presented her with half the amount received
from Evans
at is false entirely. have said no such
thing. must not say anything, however,
"Did you see Mrs. Marsh at the Arlington?
Was there anything then said about your re-
ceiving $40, 900 from Mr. Pendleton?"
"Not one word. never had sous from
Mr.. Pendleton for any help in any matter
Of course I heard of the Kentucky Central
Railroad, just as any lady in Washington
hears Of any claim which excites general
attention. MIR. Pendleton was Interested in
it, and because he happened to be friend
of mine people maliciously connected his
success with my position, but never had
one cent nor my husband either. The Cen
eral only asks that all his affairs may be fully
Investigated. He hopes that they will sum-
mon from every post all the witnesses posi-
BILE; that they will examine all the papers
and records OF the War Department. He has
come out of this poor man; he has not
anything; every penny we have belongs to
me, and when this is done we shall have
precious little. How we are to live, or what
We are to do, can not think"
"Some one has spread the report that you
declare it il in your power to ruin the govern
ment; that you have said that the President,
Mrs. Giant, Gen. Babcock, Secretary and
are infamous, and that if they dare proceed
against Gen. Belknap you will publish affairs
which will send others to the penitentiary."
The sad eyes opened widely and bit of
CLEAN fl ashed into them; but Mrs. Belknap
answered with quiet emphasis:
II know nothing of General or Mrs. Grant
but what is to their credit. 1 never have
known anything wrong about him. He has
always been perfectly honorable"
Ibid you go to see Mrs. Blackburn, carry
ing your baby, and beg for mercy"
known all my life, and when she came here I |
called upon her frequently. / sent my car
riage for her use and gave q dinner to her
and her sister, Mrs. Bramlette."
"Have you seen her since the action of the
committee
"Yes, she came to see me as friend.
told her the topic of our misfortunes must not
be discussed at all. am saying more to you
tonight than have said to any one. Mrs.
Blackburn wished me to see her husband,
but 1 answered, No. Our husbands lives
ore widely severed forever"
Said /, sit is contemplate and cowardlv
that public opinion has laid all the blame at
your door because you are a woman. There
are many who give you their pity; many who
wish that the stain may somehow
be removed"
"Thank you. It will all come right some
day, though the waiting seems long. Ven-
geance is in. better hands than ours. am
sure my husband will not be so severely
blamed when all Is known. For myself l do
not care so much"
"Have your friends visited you at all ~
eyes, many of them come, but make it
condition of our interview that this subject
must not be preached Some of them are
afraid to come"
Just then she was called from the room for
! moment, and l sat looking at her portrait,
aiken only year ago-a picture SO fair that
)ne might doubt If lis original existed-at the
piano, where the baby was always thloned.
And then, as she entered, rose to take my
cave, but she was anxious the General should ,
lear the story about the President SO she
'alled him and l repeated it,
"Do you hear that?" she asked 81 have ,
old Mrs. - that We never knew ANYTHING
bout President Grant that was not good. Is {
hat not true?" {
1t is, most certainly" said the General 4
"There; l wanted my husband to say that ]
o you. Please be sure that that is printed.