The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1885-01-15
HISTORY OF THE FAMOUS LOAN.


bilt:
No. $40 Finh Avenue, Jan. 10, lsS.-To Mrs
u. r, GRAM:
DEAR MADAuE:-So many misrepre-
sensations have appeared in regard to
the loan made ~ me to Gen. Grant, and
rejecting uuiustly upon him and
myself, that IL seems proper
TO briefly rccite tho facts. On
Sunday, May l, 1854, Gen. Grant
called at my house and asked me to
lend him $4,000 for ono day. gave
him my check without question. Not |
because the transaction was business
like, but simply because the request
came from Gen. Grant. The misfortunes
which overwhelmed him in the next
twentv-four hours aroused the SYM
pathy and regret of the whole country. |
You and he sent me, within few days
of time, deeds of your joint properties
TO cover this obligation, and urged my
acceptance, oil the ground that this was
the only debt of honor which |
he had personally incurred,
and these deeds l returned.
During my absence in Europe the Gen.
delivered 10 my attorney, mortgages
upon all his own real estate, household
effects, swords, medals and works OF at,
which were memorials of his victories
and presents from governments
all over tho world. These Sc
curities were, in his judgment,
worth the $4,000. AT his solicitation
the necessary steps were taken by
Judgment to reduce these properties to
my possession, and the articles mem
toned have been this day bought In by
me, and the amounts bid applied in the
reduction of the debt. Now that l am
at liberty 10 treat these things
Hs ly nwn, th4 dispos ition OF the whole
uayer most in accord with my feelings
is ,.,s. ] present To you as your sepa-
rat. ate, tie debt and judgment
old against Gen. Grant; also
.4s .g)rtgages upon his real estate
ard all his household furni-
ture nd ornaments, coupled only
"ltu is conditions: That the swords,
con D. ,sions, medals, gifts from the
T'mi.g States, cities and foreign gov
erl.euts, and all articles Of historical
vr'.8 md interest shall, at the generals
9i.t.. Jr ii you desire it, sooner, be pre-
scented 10 tue government At Washing
tru where they will remain as
varlraIal memorials OF his fame
e.i Inc history OF his time. l enclose
here tn assignments to you OF all
l1JIt .ages and Judgments and bill of
fGir d personal property and deed OF
Trust. in which the articles OF
lt'stnt' .al interest are enumerated.
4 coy of this trust deed Will,
with our approval. be forwarded to the
pxiC, mt of the United States for de-
1osit 81, the proper department.
Trusting that this action Will meet
with y0ur acceptance and approval, and
with the kindesJ regards to your nus
1aMu, I am yours respectfully,
w. FL. VANDERBILT.
GEN. GRANTS REPLY.
new York CITY, Jan. 10. lSS5.-DEAR
Sin-- Mrs. Graut wishes me to answer
youv letter OF this evening. 10 say
zhgt while she appreciates your
ggeai generosity in transferring
r. Ter the mortgage given
10 So IRE my debt of Sl5O,O0O she cannot
,eceg, it in whole. She accepts with
ples q re the trust, which applies to the
articles enumerated in your letter to
The aoyernment of the United States
~ my death or sooner,
sd her option. In this
matter you have anticipated the dispo-
.itio9 Witch i had contemplated max
ing u the articles. They VIII be de-
llYered to the government as soon as ar
rSngsInent can be made tor their recep-
ton The papers relating to all other
pr9perty will be returned, with the re
alest hat you have it sold and the pro-
ceed- applied to the liquidation OF the
Gave .tsted in Your letter, with the
niur,g st accuracy, the history of The
5ra-, ction- which brought me
jg yhardebt. / have only TO add that
Tegt,o your giving me your check lor
sa HmHunt, without inquiry, as an act
ii gl. Sed and unusual friendship. The
lgsu Was to me, personally. l got the
y0Jpet, as / believed, to carry the Ma
rms tnonal bank over day, being
Aseu-si that the bank was SOL
ven. but owing to, the I'M
usual calls of needed assistance
mill % could call in its loans. l was
4ssrr red by Ferdinand Ward that the
fr-i Of Grant d Ward had over $500, 200
10 tiiri- credit at that time in the Marine
bsuk, besides $l,200,0OO of unpledged
securities in their own vaults:
cannot conclude without assuring
you that Mrs. Grants inability toavail
eerseli of your great kindness in no
way Lessons her obligation or my own.
Yours very truly,
U. s. GRANT.
4R. WANDER BILT INSISTS.
Re go FNfh Avenue, Jan. II, 1885 Gen. q.
4 ti' at:
Ms LEAR SIR:-On my return home
ToduG rour letter in answer TO mine TO
M. q ant. | ppreciate fully the senti-
anert. which actuAue both Mrs. Grant
ard Yourself in declining part OF my
or5r 5. ton relating To the real estate.
j greatly regret that she feels it her
61ty 20 make the decision, as | earnest
~ hoped that the spirit in
which the offer was made
would overcome any scruples in accept
ine IL. But must insist shall not be
Sstea.tt in the purpose TO which have
given 40 much thought, and which
have 30 much at heart.
i iii, therefore, as last
as ne money Is received,
frora The sales of the real estate, deposit
Il n, the Union Trust company. With
abe money thus realized, will at once
create 18th that company trust with
rfoper provisions for an income to be
mad Mis-. Grant during her life and
riving'S over to her TO make such dis
positite of the principal by her Will as
shs may elect.
Very truly yours,
WIN. II. VANDERBILT,
GEN. GRANT MELTs.
kgs YokK Cry, Jan. IL. 1885.-DEAR
SIR. Your letter OF this date received.
Nrs Gr.nt and regret that you can
NO, accept our proposition to retain the
T,rrrorfy which was mcrtgaged In good
fsitb A., secure the debt Of honor, but
your rsnerous determination compels
as to no longer resist.
Tyf truly, U. ). SRhNT
ans f4.Nr PIHAtJT Aan PosITIyELq
bEC iNBs.
ges yorf, SnDday, Jan. Ito my Dear DR.
Upon Jrus' reading your letter this sf-
feif Il would he uugraeious
10 refuse yonr pglnoely ard genefopa
xfert Hotct t,ss nots toy you, bus uIon
.~-1 -..l..,- .,a T s,s,s ,.s>t Il Will I.Ct---