Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1885-01-17

IL VIII ne remembered that General
Grant called ON Mr.. Vanderbilt few
days previous to the failure of the
firm of Grant & Ward, and borrowed
from that gentleman, for one day,
sI500O0. This money was never re-
funded, and few days ago Mr.. Van
derbilt obtained Judgment against
Gen. Grant for the amount, and
levied on collection OF the old horo's
war relics, swords &c, and numerous
articles that were presented him by
foreign potentates in his trip around
the world. Mr.. Cyrus w. Field at
tempted to raise subscription to set-
isfy the Judgment and Mr.. Vanderbilt
contributed to it 100000. But Gen.
Grant refused to receive such assist
ance.
This was the light in which the mat
ter stood before the public and its
true inwardness not being revealed
both of the parties most concerned
were subjected to criticism and GEN.
sure. Mr.. Vanderbilt on the 10Th
inst, wrote letter to Mrs. Grant, in
which he recites thesa facts:
On Sunday, the 4th of May last, Gen.
Grant called at my house and asked
me to lend him $4,000 for one day.
| gave him my check without ques-
ton, not because the transaction was
b6siness-like, but simply because the
request came from General Grant.
The misfortunes wich overwhelmed
him in the next twenty-four hours
aroused the sympathy and regret OF
the whole country. You and he sent
me within a few days OF that time
deeds OF your joint properties to cover
this obligation, and urged my accept
ance ON the ground that this was only
debt of honor which the General had
personally incurred, and these deeds l
returned. During my absence in Eur
rope the General delivered to my at
torney mortgages upon all his own
real estate, household effects and
swords, medals and works of art, which
were memorials of his victories, and
presents from Governments all over
the world. These securities were, in
ms Judgment, worth one hundred and
fifty thousand dollars At his solicita-
ton the necessary steps were taken by
Judgment, ETC., to reduce these proper
ties to possession and the articles men,
toned have been this day bought in
by me and the amount bid applied in
reduction of the debt. Now that am
at liberty to treat these things as my
own. the disposition OF the hole mat
ter most in acco.d with my ceilings is
this:
He then tenders to Mira Grant, as
her seperate estate, the debt and judg-
ment he holds against General Grant,
and also the mortgages on his real es-
tate and household furniture, and pla-
ces in her hands in trust the souvenirs
above mentioned, which shall at the
Generals death, or if she desires it,
sooner, "be presented to the Govern
ment at Washington, where they will
| remain as perpetual memorials of his
fame and of the history of his time"
Gen. Grant replied to this on behalf
of his wife, declining to receive the
property rendered her as separate
estate, but accepting the gift in trust.
The General says,
In this matter you have anticipated
the disposition which i had contem-
plated making of the articles. They
will be delivered to the Government
rs soon as arrangements can be made
for their reception. The papers re-
lating to all other property will be
returned, with the request that you
have it sold and the proceeds applied
| to the liquidation of the debt which /
so justly owe you. You have stated in
your letter with the minutest accura-
cy history of the transaction which
brought me in your debt. / have only
to add that regard your giving me
your check for the amount without
inquiry as rs act of marked and unu-
sual friendship. The loan was to me
personally. got the money, as be-
lieved, to carry the Marine National
Bank over day, being assured that
the bank was solvent, but owing to the
unusual calls needed assistance until
y Il
sured by Ferdinand Ward that the
firm of Grant & Ward had over $685.
900 to their credit in the Marine Bank,
besides 81 100000 of unpledged securi-
ties in their own vaults. / cannot
conclude without assuring you that
Mrs. GIANTS inability to avail herself
of your great kindness in no way les
sens either her sense of obligation or
my own.
On receipt of this, Mr.. Vanderbilt
wrote again, expressing his regret at
the decision, and saying:
But must insist that | shall not be
defeated in the purpose to which /
have given so much thought and which
/ have so much at heart. will, there
fore, rs fast as the money Is received
from the sales Of the real estate deposit
it in the Union Trust Company. With
the money thus realized i will at once
create with that company trust with
the proper provisions for an income
to be paid Mrs. Grant during her life
and giving power to her to make such
disposition of the principal by her will
as she may elect.
This last communication of Mr..
Vanderbilt's brought forth the follow
ing replies:
New YORK, Jan. IL, 1SS5.-Dear
Sir: Your letter of this date received.
Mrs. Grsnt and regret that you can
not accept our proposition to retain
the property, which was mortgaged in
good faith TO secure a debt Of honor.
But your generous determination
compels us TO no longer resist.
Yours truly,
u. S. GRANT.
To w. II. Vanderbilt
New YoRY, Jan. IL, 1SS5.-To My
Dear Mr.. Vanderbilt: Upon reading
your letter this afternoon, Gen. Grant
and myself felt that it would be I'M
gracious to refuse your princely and
generous offer. Hence his note to you.
But upon reflection find that can
not, will not accept your munificence
in any form. beg you will pardon
this apparent vacillation, and consider
this answer as definite and final. With
great regard and a sense of the obliga-
ton that will always remain, am,
yours very gratefully,
JULIA d. GRANT.
To Mr.. w. H. Vanderbilt.
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