The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1885-01-15
Vanderbilt and Gen. Grant.

gives up his claim Of 100000 and hel
reply declining the same. Vanderbilt
subsequently wrotea second note insisting
on the acceptance Of the gift which was
at first accepted and subsequently declined
n second time. Wegive only the first two
letters
MRs. ULYSSES S. GRANT Dear Madam
SO many Misrepresentation have appear
edlin regard to the loan made by me to
General Grant and rejecting unjustly up
on HIM and myself that it seems proper
to briefly recite the facts. On Sunday,
the 4th of May last, General Grant called
at my house and asked me 10 lend him
one hundred aud fifty thousand dollars
for one day. l gave him my check with.
out question, not because the transaction
was business like. but simply the request
came from General Grant. The misfor-
tunes which overwhelmed him in the next
twenty -four hours aroused sympathy Of
the whole country. You and he sent me
within few days Of the time the deeds
Of your joint properties to cover the obi,
cations and urged my nc 'eptince on the
grounds that this was tho only dsbt 81
honor which the General had personally
incurred, and these deeds l returned
During my absence in Europe the General
delivered to my attorney mortgage upon
all his own real estate, household effects
and the swords, medals and works OF art
which were the memorials Of his victories
and the presents from governments all
over the world. These securities were
in his judgement worth the one hundred
aud fly thousand dollars. At his solieita-
tion the necessary steps were taken by
judgement, ETC., to reduce these proper.
ties to possession, and the articles men
toned have been this day bought in by
me and the amounts bid applied in reduc.
tion Of the draft. New that / am at liber
ty 10 treat these things as my own, the
disposition OF the whole matter most in
accord with my feelings is this present
you rs your separate estate the debt and
judgement | hold against Gen. Grant,
alss the mortgages upon his real estate.
and all the household furniture and orna.
ments, coupled with the condition that
the swords, commissions, medals, gifts
from the United States. cities and foreign
interest and value, shall at the generals
death. or. II you desire it, sooner, be pre-.
scented to the government at Washington.
where they will remain as perpetual M.
MORALS OF his fame and OF the history Of
his time. ! enclose herewith assignments
to Won Of the mortgages aud judgements,
bill OF sale Of the personal property
and a deed OF trust in which the articles
OF historical interest are enumerated. A
copy OF this trust deed will, with your
approval, be forwarded to the President
OF the United States for deposit in the
proper department
Trusting that this action will meet with
your approval, and with the kindest re
CARDS to your husband, am
Yours respectfully.
Signed W. II. VANDERBILT
Gen Grant replied as follows
NIw York Cry, Jan. 10, 1885. II Dear
Sir Mrs Grant wishes me to answer
ycur letter OF this evening to say that
while she appreciates your great generosity
in transferring to her the mortgages given
to secure my debt q sl50, 900, she cannot
accept in whole. She accepts with pleas,
urs the trust which applies to articles
ia You your letter to 20 to the
United States government at my death. or
sooner, at her option. In this matter You
have anticipated the disposition which
had contemplated making Of the articles.
They will be delivered TO the government
~ soon Is arrangements can be made for
their reception. Papers relating to all
other property will be returned with the
request that you will have il sold and the
proceeds applied to the liquidation Of the
debt. have only to add that | regard
yonr giving me your cheek for the amount
without inquiry Is an act Of marked and
unusual friendship. The loan Was TO me
Igos the money, ~ believed.
10 carry the Marine national bank over
day. being assured that the bank was sol
vent, but owing 10 unusnsl calls needed
assistance until il could call in its loans.
| Vas assured by Ferdinand Ward thai
he firm Of Grant 4 Ward had over $780,
700 10 their credit st that tins in the Ma
rins bank, besides 81. 300. 900 in thsir own
vsalts. Ieannst conclude vitbsut sssur-
ng you that Mrs. Grants inability 10 avail
ierSslf OF your grest kindssss in no way
ssstns either her sssss OF her obligation
Jr nv own
Yours very trusly.
Signed u. s. GnaSr.
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