New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-05-28
THE GRANT-FISH LETTERS.
WHAT Is SAID on BOTH SIDES.

MUCH TALK CAUSED BY THE GENERALS ExPLANA.
uoN-How THE LETTERS ARE INTERPRETED.
The position Of General Grant regards the
schemes carried in the name of Grant & Ward
became topic of discussion yesterday Of ewes
greater interest than on Monday, because Of the
publication of the correspondence between him
and James D. Fish, president of the Marine Ma
tional Bank On the side Of Mr. Fishs friends
nothing was said to show that any desire existed
to connect the General with any knowledge OF the
real nature of Ferdinand Wards operations. They
simply wished to defend Mr.. Fish from the impicar
ton that he co-operated with Ward throughout
Justice to General Grant, however, has compelled
his friends to try to prove that Mr. fIshs $ conn
dence, as rested upon General Grant was not base"
oil logical conclusions. The publication OF the cor
respondence has furnished the friends of Mr. Fish
and General Grant with a text for Interpretation
according to their predictions
Clarence A. Seward and Roscoe Conkling both
declined yesterday to make any statement beyond
that which appeared for General Grant IN lhs
TRIBUNE. A friend of the ex-President, however,
put the matter in this shape
The correspondence speaks for itself Mr Fish alleged
session documentary evidence sufficient TO fuy Vne<te
him me in every parenar S az regards ensrp me- CrsS
letters in which, Mr.. Fish said ne stated tnat s ts.ss
I ARE al SSM SR' whs anS do the letters hOs
Mr. Fsh's Inquiries related 10 transaction OF year as
In regard 10 the SZUUOOo HOtts np''h
conted No direct inquiry Ia made 20 the nature q
the alleged Government contracts Inc man nquny,ga. q,a
Tc.nomsibe with him in the firm OF Grant Ward The
General replies that he s aud II necessary VIII chanhS
advertisement OF the firm IN order TO e1 lhe
In the letter which was signed by General nIsns
without reading the investments are stated 70 oe sr
the discounts made by Mt Fish; Ihat they wse @ nosI
is proved by tDe Isct lhst tne bia 81 Grant
Ward show Certainly II they we're not paid the ~
wonid have seen known before this As TO the use of bis
| aud influence, course General biaEt Wous
1t Just In the way that any lawyer WOuiu gay W
who went out of 6s stce 81 wish you the pest sncees
know you and have confidence in you, and " my name
or influence can do you any good YOU are welcome 70 e
Mr. Fish 70 without reading it. Why That thing whh.
you anybody might do at any time moe % eli 20 ~. "a
official position especially called on 10 40 y an ,o
time II curious Fact that these letters w9Ie rs
shown to any one, to my noTledge before tey ~
photographed by Mr. Fish when his arrest was tAio@S
ened
MP. FTsH's POSITION.
The friends of Mr. Fish interpret the published
letters as complete justification OF his course.
Mr.. Clarke of Stanley, Clarke & Smith counsel 'or
Mr.. Fish, at No. 100 Broadway. made the folo"i"s
statement to a TRIBUNE reporter;
What understand to be our view, and that OF sr.
Fish OF the situation is that he does not WISH 70 De W
gsrded es making any charges against uenclaa n,Ss
and we don't IND that the letters are open 20 te
Construction They simply show that Mr tlsh dld n,s
90 into the matter in the blind way tnat some pd pp -,
the letters justification OF his own business eons,s ~
Se Sqfmste business His General Grant OF JAY
nnst he read in connection with the letters OF ths
General Cen the in general TSpy that he he has informed
James OF the Lincoln National Bank that he ana "a
tbt he has discounts be used 10 Goyernmess
contracts the only business spoken OF N DIS eT hi. g
relie assens TO the statement as correct tha nc ss
equally Tn 0, Mr. ins F9 partner ne only e n7ss
ent referred TO Mr. Fishs letter being the Goyernmens
GGgrSe sS Sto2. o otoSs ie{i that day 'iG Mr.
having invited an interview IN 3 m tba firm oud mol 20
oa far ben General Grant who Mr. Fish assumed,
from his great experience IN military ana
contractsJ had replied that tho invesment was sa,s
"a 20 ed and make dls, cunts 70 the firm just "a
| he lad had the Interview which he sought -.
did not read the second letter that he signed Ine his
letter in the Generals Srn % r. hSe eorE
Instead Of seerg hm, the General seP"s cr.as ms
was private and confidential sIegeSvns asass
measures precauton for the Older members OF tse n,
to lake When General Grant answered TINS second
proDo-on of lis letter Mr. Fish had right to assume,
and did assume that he qua so lntsIteny; AtOms ,.
discounts. ii you refer To NJ. Flshs le'teI you N'
Understand IgS taad it, SIc given FOR no other
purpose than to rai.e money Tor the payment ot
in reply to that letter that General Grant gay s III
tion to The discounts so kindly nae { You ,9e AZ Nr
Fish SAYS solely FOR the Government contracts = ths.
the investments are safe % c W Az e5Ier Of General
Sf is incorrect we think tor second letter came "a
place OF the interview which M Fish had uesl'eu 1
asked for.
If is understood that the letters published yes
| tordov morning comprise the only correspondence
relating to Mr. Fish's understanding that GenefA
Grant testified 10 the validity of Wards Govern
ment contracts. known to the counsel and friencs
of the General. The counsel for Mr. Fish are IN
derstood to have no present knowled dge OF the H-
lstence of any other letters.
Ex-senator Conkliug, Of counsel for General
Grant, said:
Tbe only statement that he made the part Of
General Grant was published this morning In al tss
napers Of this city and through the asency OF te
Associated Press, IN those OF other parts Vi '.e 80
states In that statement the letters alluded To In ns
reported Interview with Mt Fish weregNeh ~ ul, 80
see no reason for any further statement 0A TIC part
| General Grant =, -,
81 have been with Mr. Fish nearly all of the
time since the trouble began" said Colonel }. u;
Fellows "and know accurately ms position aDa
affairs and l say that he u gong ~ ~
| against him. He has sufficient evidence ~
| Ills hands to yindicate himself completely nero
/, NOT one of hs friends who has deserted MN Doe
! ia there one who does not know that ne ,s oelnf
| r3ade a scape-goat for Others. Some OF the moss
eminent counsel in this city. will appear ~
his defence, although their service, services, are
not greatly needed ,6 as tHey eyy;d.Hce wSuS ras
less less G2nHt GGaYin'lTs G Mr ho f Fish are are sai:
tcient TO prove that Mr.. Fish had good reason l9
believe in the genulneness OF those uokeliiInoas ~
make II remarkably hot for several persons oeios
! this matter is ended
MR. FISH SPEAKS.
| HIS CONFIDENCE IN WARD CONFIRMED BY CEN
ERAL GRANTS LETTERS.
James D. Fish accorded an interview to IRiB'
-