Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1884-05-27
FISH AND GRANT.
The Ex-President Becoming Badly Com.
plieated in His Relations
with the
Late Firm OF Grant & Ward-Seme OF the
Correspondence Which Passed
with the
Ex-PresideRt of the Mariac Bank In Re.
gard 60 These GoYernmert
Contracts.

NEW oRK, May 25.-A representative
Of the Associated Press called to-day on
the counsel of Gen. Grant TO learn II they
knew what letters James d. Fish referred
to in his published statement saying he
had two letters from the general referring
TO government contracts and the profits
thereon. He went first to Mr.. Conkling
and at his suggestion to Mr.. Seward. Sew
ard had heard that limitations had been
given of such letters. and had taken steps
to run them down and get copies. 1t was
learned that prior to July J., 1882, Fish
had sent the paper of Grant x Ward to
the Lincoln Bank, with note asking that
the paper be discounted.
Mr.. James being called on by Seward,
said he answered the note OF Fish as fol-
lows:
SEWARD TO FISH.
will submit your favor to tho Board OF Direc-
tors Wednesday next. viii you kindly inform
me whether You are q general partner in the
house OF Grant IL Ward?
James further said that Fish promptly
answered the above note, but that he was
unable to find the answer. He, however,
stated that was substantially in these
words
FISH TO SEWARD.
My DEAR SIR-In answer to your inquiry, l
have to say both Gen. Grant and myself are now
We were originally special partnersionly, but by
recent arrangement we have both become general
partners.
On the 5th of July Fish wrote letter to
Gen. Grant in these words:
[Private.l
NEW York, July 5, 1882.
My DEAR GESERAL-You and I do not often
meet to talk over business matters, or for any
other purpose; but trust you well aware the
team or friendship my part We are botb pretty
| we'll occupied generally, which explains it. 1
1 the business of Grant Ward, as our conserva-
them no, harm, as they are much
| younger than ourselves: l have often been
| asked by friends and business men whether you
| and were general or special partners, We
were for a time advertised special, but think
hna We woad @ on
| status. The incosed letter to me from Presi-
| dent james, of the Lincoln Bank, Ito whom |
| sent Grant & Wards note to be discounted"
l was received by me, and send you copy of my
reply to his letter. You may be aware that l am
| on the notes of Grant IL Ward, as indorser, which
! / hive discounted myself and have had to get me-
gotiated to the extent of 5000 in the aggregate
a trifling amount for me. 1t is necessary that
L the credit of Grant IL Ward should deservedly
| stand very high. These notes, as / understand
K it, given for no other purpose than to raise
purchased 1Ecf to ill the government contracts;
You will see that it is Of most vital Importance to
me, particularly, that the credit of the firm shall
4
be happy to meet you at almost any time you may
| name, to talk these matters over. Please return
| with any suggestions you may have to make.
| JAMES D. FISH.
To the above letter Gen. Grant answer
ed as follows:
GRANT TO FISH.
New YORK CITY. July 6, 1882.
My DEAR Mr. FIsH-0n my arrival in the city
| this morning found your letter of yesterday,
Of the Lincoln Bank, with copy Of your reply to
9gr liabilities in the firm of Grant \
% am entirely S Wiling that the advertise,
ment of the firm shall be so changed as to to
for more than n week, have large accumulated
mail to look over and some business appoint
to you to-day. but if can will 60 60, before
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 II, had been answered and Inc
| correspondence been closed, Ward pre-.
pared draft of the letter and handed il
to Mr.. Spencer, who was in the employ OF
the firm, to copy. Mr.. Spencer says he did
copy it, and delivered it to Ward, who
went to Gen. Grant and obtained his sig
nature to it. The letter and sigma
ture was wholly disconnected with
the preceding correspondence SO far as
Gen. 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 scrutinize the letter
I, but signed it on the assurance that it was
only an ordinary letter in the course OF
business. The incident made no impress
sion, and the following copy of the: letter
now obtained is all the evidence of its
, contents the general has:
GRANT TO FISH.
New YORK, July 6, 1882.
Ny DEAR FIsK-In relation to the matter o
| discounts kindly made by you for account o
| Grant * Ward, would say that think the in
| vestments are safe, and | am willing that Mr.
Ward should derive what profit he can for th'
II firm from the use of my name and any influence
, | it may bring. Yours very truly, US. GRANT.
The foregoing is copy of the letter, anC
| the facts mentioned comprise everythin.
| known to Gen. Grant or his counsel t.
which the statement of Mr.. Fish car
} | relate.