Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-05-27
GEN. GRANTS DEFENSE.
He Makes Public the Correspondence t
which Mr.. Fish Alluded.

He Makes Public the Correspondence to
which Mr.. Fish Alluded
NEW YORK, May 26.-A representative
of the Associated Press to-day called upon
Clarence Seward, counsel for Gen Grant,
who had obtained copies of the CORE
spondence between j. d. Fish and Gen.
Grant, to which reference has been made.
1t was learned that prior to July /, 1882,
Mr.. Fish had sent paper of Grant &
Ward to the Lincoln Bank with a note
asking that the paper be discounted.
President James being called upon by Mr..
Seward, said that he answered the note of
Mr.. Fish as follows:
LINCOLN NATIONAL BANK,l
New Iork, July !, 1882.
-Ky Dedr Mr.. President:
| VIII submit your favor to the board of di-
rectors on "Wednesday next. VIII you kindly
inform me whether you are general partner
Very truly,
Jas. D. Fish, Esq.
Mr. James further said that Mr.. Fish
promptly answered the above note, but that
he was unable to find the answer. He, how
ever, stated that it was substantially in these
words:
MY DEAR SIR-ln answer to your inquiry
have to say that both Gen. Grant and myself
are now general partners IN the firm of Grant
u Ward. We were originally special part
ners but by a recent arrangement we have
both become general partners. Yours truly,
JAS. ID. FISH.
On the 9Th Of July Mr.. Fish wrote a letter to
Gen. Grant in these words:
''PRIvATE,'' July 5. 1882.
MY DEAR GENERAL-You and do not often
meet to talk over our business matters or for
any other purpose but l trust that you are
well aware that the failure to do so is not anv
want Of respect, esteem or friendship on my
part. We are both pretty well occupied gen.
orally, which explains it. | think, however.
that it would not be amiss for you and | to
counsel a little occasionally in regard to the
business of Grant q Ward, as our conserva-
tive in1uence, If not beneficial, would do them
no harm as they are so much younger than We
l haye often been asked by friends and busi-
ness men whether you and l were
general or special partners. We were for a
time advertised as special, but think we are
virtually and actually general partners. 1
think legally that we would find that TO be
our status. The enclosed letter came from
President James, of the Lincoln Bank to
whom l sent a Grant & Ward note to be dis
counted, was received by me and / send you
a copy of my reply to his letter. You may be
aware that i am on notes of Grant & Ward
as indOrser which | have discounted my
self and have had to get ne
gotiated to the extent of S2O0,O00 in
the aggregate at the same time and at once.
which Is not trifing amount for me. It's
necessary that the credit of Grant & Ward
should deservedly stand very high. These
notes. as / understand 1t, are given for no
other purpose than to raise money for the
payment of grain, etc, purchased to fill gov
ernment contracts. Under the circumstances
my dear General, you will see that it is of the
most vital Importance to me particularly that
the credit of the firm shall always be un-
tarnished and unimpaired. / will be happv
to meet you at any time you name to
talk these matters over. Please return me-
Mr.. President James letter at your con-
venienee with any suggestions that you NAV
have to make. With respect and esteem. I
am sincerely yours, JAS. ID. FISH.
GRANTS REPLY
To the above letter Gen. Grant answered as
fOllOWse
NEW YORK CITY, June 6, 1882.
My Dear Mr.. Fish:
On my arrival in this city this morning /
found your letter of yesterday with the letter
from Thomas L. James, President Of the Lin
coin National Bank, and a copy Of your
reply to the letter. Your understanding
in regard to our liabilities in the frm OF Grant
Ward are the same as mine. If you desire
ii l am entirely willing that the ADVERTISE
ment OF the firm shall be so changed as to ex-
press this. Not having been in the city for
more than week have large accumulated
mail to look over and some business appoint
ments to meet, so that may not be able to get
down to see you to-day. but if can will 20
U, IS. GRANT.