Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-10-21

New YORK, October 20th.-Hon. Chaun-
cey NJ. Depew has furnished to the press
the following open letter to Colonel f. D.
Grant;
New YORK, october 10, 1885.
by Dear Colonel In answer to your re-
quest for the particulars of conversation
l had with your father, and to which l al
luded in speech before the Chamber of
Commerce, the following is my best recol-
lection: About four years ago l sat beside
General Grant at dinner. There were
many courses, slowly served, and the enter
tainment lasted several hours We dis
cussed many matters suggested by
HIS TRAVELS AROUND THE WORLD,
And among other things he said to me that
when in China, Prince Kung, who was
Regent andthe real ruler during the minor
ity Sf the Emperor, told him OF their con
troyersy with Japan. War was about 10 be
declared, and the Prince thought it would
be long and bloody one, and asked Gen
eral Grant if be would act as arbitrator.
The General declined for want of time, but
principally because he was private per-
son, and had no power to enforce his de-
cislon. He suggested, however,
terms OF compromise. When in
Japan, shortly after, the Mix
ado's Ministers told their side of the
trouble, and revealed the fact that several
European Governments were actively stir
ring up strife on both sides, hoping to
benefit by war. The same request was
made to him on the part of the Japanese
Government TO act as arbitrator, and in
again declining, he stated the substance of
the compromise he had advised for China.
The two nations adopted substantially the
terms proposed by Grant, and disastrous
conflict was averted.
THE GENERAL AND PRESIDENT JOHNSON.
The conversation drifted into a consider
alton of his relations with President An
drew Johnson. The narrative of this
period was one of the most graphic descrip-
tons to which | ever listened, and it
is unfortunate for history and pos
terity that it cannot be preserved
as it was told. 1t had the local
coloring of conversations with and state
ments by the chief actors, and of the
situations of the parties and persons as the
events occurred, invaluable as portraiture
and estimate of the times. | said in my
address that General Grant performed
services to his country, which were unwrit-
ten, quite as important as any that were
recorded, and / think this narrative will
| bear Inc out. This is the substance Of the
story: Johnson began, the day after the
assassination Of Mr.. Lincoln, to loudly
proclaim at all times and places, with con-
stant reiteration, the shibboleth "Treason
| is odious, and must be punished, and the
chief rebels shall be hung" To give effect
! to this sentiment, as soon as he was inaug-
urated he insisted upon the United States
II
| all leading members of the Confederacy.
| He also wanted the officers in the rebel
army, who had left the regular army to
| join the rebellion, to be summarily dealt
with by Court-martial. These movements
| of the President produced the greatest con-
sternation throughout the South. The
| Confederate leaders appealed to Grant to
protect them on the parole he had given
He saw Johnson on the subject, only to be
informed that the President was by the
Constitution Commander-in-C Chief Of the
army, and that everything done by the
commanding General on the field was don,
subject to his approval or rejection, and h,
rejected the terms. General Grant urgeC
that the rebels had surrendered on thest
conditions, disbanded their organization
submitted universally TO the situation
and We're carrying out in gOoC
faith their part of the agree
ment, and that every consideration
of both honor and expediency demanded
equally good faith on the part of the Gov
eminent. Any other course would hav
led TO an endless guerrilla warfare, con
Quoted in a country admirably adapted fo
it, BY desperate and hopeless men, John
son obstinately adhered to his view, ant
assumed the authority of commander, ,wheI
Grant fatty told him that if there were t.
be any Courts-martial one must be calico
to Try General Grant first; that he would
| by every means in his power, protect hi
parole, and appeal to Congress and tn
country.