The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1888-03-29
sAoEAU-eRANT CONTROVERSY.
How the Trouble Orignated-A Letter OF
General Grants Published.

| How the Trouble Originated-A Letter of
General Grants Published.
NEW YORK, March 2I.-Colonel Frederick
D. Grant answers the various stories that
have been in circulation about the relations
between General Badeau and his father.
the late President Grant, by giving the
whole correspondence &c the world.
General Badeau was engaged by General
Grant in 1884 to assist him in the prepare
ton of bis personal memoirs. His work
was to be that Of an amanuensis. This
General Badeau explains and admits in one
of the letters when he says: Il have no
desire, intention or right to claim the
authorship Of your book. The composition
is entirely your own"
After General Grants sudden relapse in
1885, General Badeau, impressed with the
magnitude OF the sale of the proposed
memoirs and seeing immense gains, made,
as appears IN the correspondence, ademand
upon General Grant TO the effect that he
should be paid a certain sum per month and
likewise share In the profits TO help the
General build a monument of enduring
fame. The proposition General Grant EVIL
IDENTIFY regarded as suggestion that Gen.
eral Badeau should practically write his
book and General Grant assume the credit.
General Grant in a long letter, under
date Of May >, 1885, in reply to Badeau's
proposition, says: "Since pondering over
the contents OF your letter. and moro par
tlcularly over the conclusions have drawn
from ii, and reflections based upon what
you say, and my knowledge of your temper
and disposition, l understand the letter bet
ter than you do. have concluded that you
and must give up all association SO far as
the preparation OF any literary work goes
which is to bear my signature. In all other
respects hope our relations may continue
as they always have been, pleasant and
friendly.
"You say that 4 an man CT affairs
etc, and can tell simple story, etc. You
imply that literary man must supply
some Deficiencies, and that you are the
only man that can do it. II this is the case,
General, do not want a book bearing my
name TO 20 before the world, which l did
not write. to such an extent as to be fully
entitled to its authorship. do not want a
secret between me and some one else
which would destroy my honor if divulged.
| can not think OF holding myself dependent
upon any person to supply capacity which
l am lacking. l may fail, but l will not put
myself in any such position.
Your letter affords an abundance Of
other reasons why you should not help me
IN my work which is to bear my name.
But these are sufficient. l add only what
is necessary to make part OF what has
been already said plain, If others than
yourself should ever read this letter. You
ask for a contract and demand 81, 900 per
month in advance until the work is com
pleted, and ten per cent. of the entire
profits arising from the sale OF the work
after 1t is put upon the market.
"ThIs would make you partner with my
family as long as the book found sale.
This is preposterOus Not for one moment
has your proposition been entertained by
me. This, with the statements enumerated
in this letter und others contained IN yours,
makes it impossible for US to be associated
in work which is to bear my name. 1t
would be degradation for me TO accept
honors and profit from the work of another
man, while declaring to the public that it
was the product of my own brain and
hand.
Il write frankly. because / want you to
know why l can not receive your services
now on any terms. l hope that it viii not
disturb the relation. which have hereto
fore existed between US in all particulars.
"Your prosperity in life will crafty me.
This correspondence between US may
be unknown to the world if you choose. l
do not ask secrecy, but the necessity for
publicity Will not occur through any fault
of mine. Repeating my assurance of the
best wishes for your success in life, and
health and happiness TO the end, sub
scribe myself as ever,
"Your friend and well-wisher,
~. S. GRASTn