Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-31
GEN. GRANT AT HOME.
He is Satisfied With Mr. Vanderbilt's
COurse-Mr. Fields Opinions.


NEW YORK, Dec. 2S.-Gen. Grants pressing
financial difficulties have excited the sympa-
thIes of his friends. A reporter visited him
to-day.
81 have not been at all we'll of late" SAID
Gen. Grant as he sank into large armchair
MY throat has bothered me a great deal for
some months past; and couple of weeks ago
it was so bad that was unable to SPEAK.
The trouble is, i have always been well and
strong, and when the affection attacked my
throat, instead Of calling a doctor | per-
mltted 1t to continue, hoping it would run its
course. My lameness has prevented me from
taking my accustomed outdoor exercise for
year, which adds to my indispositiOn."
The Generals hair and close-cropped beard
are several shades grayer than they were a
year ago, or before his financial troubles
harassed him. His face, though some what
ruddy, showed unmistakeable trace of the
care that has of late settled upon him, and,
taken all In all, he seemed suddenly to have
like his former self. When questioned re-
gardIng the published statements concern
ing his financial affairs, the General looked
troubled and replied at is in the main true:
there are some slight inaccuracies, however
While Gen. Sherman did call on me yesterday,
he never said word about the matter.
Neither he nor mentioned the subject"
But had you not on a previous occasion
talked the matter over?'
"No; on leaving me yesterday the General
asked my son to go down stairs with him, and
some time after, and only after much ques-
tioning, that my son told me that the General
had spoken to him about my affairs. In that
way learned Of the interest he had taken in
my behalf"
lis the statement correct that attachments
have been issued against your property, GEN
eral2"
81 would not for the world say word that
might in the least reflect upon Mr.. Wander
bilt He has all along acted in most gener-
ous and straightforward manner toward me.
He has certainly showed very generous dis
position. l understand that he has agreed to
release the amount of my Indebtedness by
$6O,C00."
1T seems too bad, General, to think that
you should be deprived of all your property,
including all the mementoes that have been
accumulating for years, but do you not think
that your friends will come to your reliefP"
Resting his elbows on the desk before him
he partially hid his face in his hands, and
seemed agitated as he replied: 81 am per-
fectly willing to make whatever sacrifices are
necessary in order to liquidate my indebted
ness"
s'How about Mr.. Fields project? Do Won
know how he came to take the steps he has?''
II presume that what Mr.. Field is repre-
sented to have said is true, but what he has
done in the premises do not know. l have
not seen Mr.. Field in about a year. would
rather not say anything on the subject myself
at present"
Later Mr.. Cyrus w. Field was seen at his
residence, on Gramercy Park. ''The truth
isl said he smilingly, THAT Gen. Sherman
and an intimate friend OF ours called on me
ON Friday and, relating the circumstances of
Gen. Grants financial trouble, asked If
could think Of any way to help him out of it.
l told them to let me think over it during the
night. Next morning called on Mr.. Van
derbilt, in order to obtain the facts in the
case. l found Mr.. Vanderbilt very literally
disposed. The sum borrowed, with interest.
amounts to about $l60,000. Mr.. Vanderbilt
said: If Gen. Grants friends can raise among
them 100000, 1 will throw of the $50, 900 and
cancel the debt Now, / think that was
liberal offer, and the 100000 ought to be
raised"
''Have you any idea of the amount Of per-
his presents, bric-a-brac, etcS' mo;
know, however, that he has a great many ar
ticles, They include gifts from kings, en-
perors, governments and mobiles the world
over, which accumulated during his two
years abroad. / do not think they have ever
been catalogued or value placed on them,
but that some of them are very valuable
there is no question. do not think they will
be sold-at any rate they should not bel
'HIn what way would you advise that assist
ance should be rendered him2"
81 understand that they are now trying to
ms axe the General out partner in the firm of
Grant Ward. In that case, if successful, all
his property would be irretrieVably lost, since
the firms indebtedness amounts to many mill
lions, and any gift given him by his friends or
the government would be gobbled up.
would suggeat, after paying Off the 500 900, to
raise fund in trust which could not be
touched by creditors, and the interest on
which would comfortably provide for the
General and his family for the balance Of his