The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-05-27

unable to find the answer he, however, stated
that it was substantially in these words:
My Dear Si-In answer to your inquiry have to
say that both Gen Grant and myself are now general
partners in the firm of Grant 6 Ward. We were orig
nally special partners only bat by recent arrange
ment We have both become general partners.
On the 5th of July, Fish wrote letter to Gen.
Grant in these words:
Private
MY Dear General-You and do not often meet to
talk cur business matters for any other pur-
pose, but trust you well that the failure to
% so u 9T on Ior Amy amy %Te' S ore Ul bp s ye
cupied generally, which explains it. | think, how
ever it would not be amss for you and me to counsel
little occasionally in regard to the business of Chant
Il Ward, as our conservative influence if not bene-
fetal would do them harm, they arc so much
younger than ourselves. have often been asked by
friends and business men whether you and were
general special partners. We for time
advertised special but think virtually and
actually general partners, and ] think legally we
would find that to be status The nclosed letter
me from President James, of the lneolnank to whom
sent Grant & Ward note to be discountedD, was
received by me, and l send you copy of my reply
to his letter, You may be aware that | on the
notes of Grant & Ward indorser which have
aggregate at the same time, and at once,
which is not trAing amount for Il is necessary
that the credit Of G. & w. should deservedly stand
very high. These notes. | understand it are
given for other purpose than to raise
money for payment for grain, etc. purchased
to FL the government contracts Uuder the creum-
most vital importance to me, particularly, that the
credit of the firm shall always be untarnished and
uniInpared l will be happy 10 meet
you at almost any time you may name to talk these
Please return me Mr. President Jalnes's letter at
your convenience with any suggestions you may have
to make.
With respect and esteem, I am sincerely yours,
JAMES ID. FISH.
To the above letter General Grant answered
as follows:
NEW York CITY July 6, 1882
My Dear Mr.. Fsh-On my arrival in the city this
morning / find your letter of Yesterday with
of the Lincoln National Bank with copy of your
reply to the letter. Your understanding in regard
to our liabilities in the firm of Grant e Ward
is the same as mine If you desire it, I entirely
willing that the advertisement of the firm shall be
so changed as to express this. Not having been in
the city for more than week have a large accumu-
lated mail to look and some business appoint
ments to meet, that may not be able to get down
to see, you today but if can l viii go before 3
o'clock. Very truly, yours, u s. GRANT.
This was the Generals sole response and was
in his own handwriting throughout.
After the above letter of Mr. Fish, marked
private" had been answered and the CORE
spondence been closed, Ward prepared draft of
letter and handed it to Mr. Spencer (who
copy. Mr.. Spencer says he did not copy it, and
delivered it to Ward, who went to General Grant
and obtained his signature to it. This
letter and signature was wholly discon-
necUeu WIFI Lne preceding correspondence, so
far as General Grant knew, and nothing was
told him from which he could suspect that the
two things had any relation TO each other
nor did the General serutinize the letter,
but signed it on the assurance that it
was only an ordinary letter in the course of
business. The incident made no impression,
and the following copy of the letter, now OBJ
tanned, is all the evidence of its contents the
General has:
NEW YORK, July 6, 1882.
Ny Dear Mr.. FisL-In relation to the matter of dis
counts kindly made by you for account
of Grant & Ward I would say that
1 think the investments are safe, and l
am willing that Mr.. Ward should derive what profit
he for the firm that the of my and infu-
enee can bring. Yours very truly, U. S. GRANT.
The foregoing copy of the letter and the facts
eral Grant or his counsel to which the state
ment of Mr.. Fish can relate.