The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-26
YESTERDAYS SECOND EDITION.
THE following items of news appeared in our
Second Edition OF Sundayl
The Grant-Badeau Controversy.


New YORK. March 24-Another chapter of
the Grant-Badeau controversy over the book of
the late General Grant is added by Col Fred
Grant in q letter sent 20 the press tonight. Is
ls IN answer to the statement of General Badeau
of q claim for compensation for his aid IN pre-
pairing General Grants memoirs, published IN
the Sun OF of the 2lst instant Colonel Grant
says IL Is his purpose to answer, as far prac-
ticable, such parts of General Badeau's state
ment as may appear to call for reply. lie
states that the editor of the Sun once wrote, in
collaboration with another. life of General
Grant which contained praise that amounted to
aduiation of the General, and at time when
person suspecting him of susceptibility 20 flat
terry might have reasonably supposed that well-
timed syeoDhancy would yield a reward in high
Office; that the editor of the Sun, however,
celyed no Office; that for years past there has
been nothing too false m aiignant for him
to publish concerning the family; that he has
spared neither the children nor the widow.
and that his journal seems to be the only
that cordially and thoroughly approves of Gen.
eral Badeau's course
Z Colonel Grant denies any designs on the part
or himself or Others to depriyr General Badeau
of his just fame or pecuniary compensation in
connection with his work the book implied
In General Badeaus statement that he inhuenced
MS father IN writing any of the letters pub
llshed in General Badeau's statement to that
gentleman, and that he [Colonel Grant, had
ever written any letters to General Badeau that
were not dictated by his father. He charges
General Badeau with awaiting until the great
est part of the receipts from the sale of the
book were in before he began his suit not dar-
ship, as he now does, fearing that the proceeds
from the work would be curtaed and dwindle
to the comparatively small sales of Badeau's
own military history. The Colonel denies that
Senator Conkling withdrew from the case
because of the stand taken by the Grant family,
and adds that he was never in the case. He
was merely consulted a friend, aad he
advised the payment OF Badeau the
easiest way to dispose of the matter. but the
latter insisting on bringing the case into court
he advised the employment of Mr.. Seward as
counsel he Dir. Conklingl, because OF his close
friendship with the family. not wishing to ap-
pear General Badeau has never made an offer
or any sum not contingent upon his disclaimer
of joint authorship in the Grant memoirs
Mrs. General Grant was willing 10 pay him the
sum be asked, provided that her act in doing
would not be construed as admitting Badeau's
claim to joint authorship. Colonel Grant de-
cares he himself never favored this, does
he now, as he wishes to settle, ones for all, in
court of law, the authorshop of the book. The
Colonel denies that he proposed to Badeau to
furnish his fathers memoirs and let him 1.-THE
CoIonelI sign them. and is doubtful if there is
one line IN the book in Badeaus own
language. BE reviews at length the relations
between General Badeau and his father, and
claims that his father and the rest of the family
invariably befriended him. while the latter
showed little or gratitude. He says it is
very painful to the family to have this matter
forced upon the public attention, and it will be
very trying ordeal for his mother and the
nembBrs of the family to drag the memory of
The Gead husband and father into court, but
they have decided to leave nothing undone to
futa the claims of General Badeau to the au-
thorship of the book. He declares that this
Statements, the final on his part, until the
matter is brought into court, has
been prepared with much care and ayows that
that he alone is responsible for its contents The
Colonel furnishes the correspondence between
his father and Badeau with regard to the latter's
connection with the book In a letter to Badeau
General Grant says Il do not want book bear
ing my name to go before the world which | did
not write to such extent to be fully en-
titled to the credit of the authorship I do not
want secret between me and some else
which would destroy my honor if divulged."
Again he says "It would be degradation for
me to aceept honors and profit from the work of
another while declaring TO the public
it was the product of my own brain and hand"
The Colonel declares that since his fathers
death people who have had any dealings with
the family have invariably endeavored to
tort money largely In excess of equivalent
for the service rendered. and In some cases
payments have been made where no legal claim
could be made, rather than bring the matter be-
fore the public; but he has decided to call a
halt. He refers to the paymeuS of the
balmer's bill by the editor of the Sun. and the
subsequent REIN bursement of the editor for the
same by his mother, and cites it as shown that,
SO far az Mrs General Grants means would per-
nit. she would pay generously for every service
rendered her late husband.
Colonel Grant, in letter to Badeau's lawyers
says Mrs. Grant will pay General Badeau the
SlO,OOO mentioned in a memorandum of his faith
er's if he will sign a receipt disclaiming entirely
any participation in the work of General Grants
book, of such nature to be in any degree
essential to its existence in its present form, and
If such receipt can be framed by his (Badeau's)
counsel as will forever settle this question of
just what he did, Mrs. Grant will pay tho mon
ely. In this letter, arbitration Badeau's
claim Is proposed, the result to take the form of
report stating what work General Badeau had
done and what compensation he is entitled to-
Here follow 3 number of letters between Colonel
Grant, the various lawyers representing the
Grant family aud Bedeau. in which several
propositions are discussed for the settlement of
Badeaus claim, none of which were agreed upon
because OF the persistency of General Badeau's
Insinuating that secret existed in connection
with the preparation of the memoirs. Several
agreements were drawn up which provided that
General Badeau. for certain sum, shall release
all claims the Grant family or to the author
ship OF the book, but he declined to do 80.