The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-03-18
Col. Grant Answers Various Stories
by Publishing Some Letters.
This Correspondence Shows the
Meanness of Gen. Badeau.
He Sought to Rob Grant of the Au-
thorship Of His Memoirs.
Badeau Simply Acted as an Amanuensis
to Gen. Grant, Nothing More--His
preposterous Propositions and
Outrageous Deman0s.

NEw YoRK, March l7.-Col Frederick
d. Grant answers the various stories that
have been put in circulation about the re-
lations between Gen. Badeau and his
father, the late President Grant, by giving
the whole correspondence TO the world.
Gen. Badeau was engaged by Gen. Grant
in 1884 TO assist him in tho preparation of
his personal memoirs. His work was 70
be that Of an amanuensis. This Gen.
Badeau explains and admits in one OF tho
letters when he says; 81 have no desire,
intention or right to claim the authorship
of your book. The composition is entirely
your own" ss
After Gen. Grants sudden relapse in
1886 Gen. Badeau, impressed with the
magnitude OF the sale OF the proposed
memoirs, and seeing immense gains, made,
as appears In the correspondence, de-
mand upon Gen. Grant Ia the effect that
he should DO paid certain sum per
month, and likewise a share In the profits,
to help the general to build monument
of enduring fame. The proposition Gen.
Grant evidently regarded rs a suggestion
that Gen Badcau should practically write
his book and Gen. Grant assume tho
credit
Gen. Grant, in long leitor under dato
OF May 8, 1885, In reply to Badcau's prop
osition, says "Since bordering over tho
contents OF your letter, and more particu-
larry over the conclusions | have drawn
| from II, and reflections based upon what
YOU say and my knowledge OF your temper
and disposition, | understand the letter
better than YOU do. | have concluded
that you and must give up all associa-
ton NO far rs the preparation Of any liter
AIRY work goes which Is TO bear my sigma
turc In all otlrr respects hope our re-
lations may continue rs they have ALWAYS
been, pleasant aud friendly.
| "lou say that.l am u man OF affairs, and
can tell a simple story etc. You imply
that literary man must supply some de-
iiccncics and that you are tho only
man who can do Il. II that IL tho case,
general, do not want book bearing nv
name 10 90 before the world which | did
not write to such an extent as TO he fully
entitled 10 the credit oi authorship. | do
not want q secret between me and some
ono else which would destroy my honor IL
II was divulged. cannot think of hold
ing myself NJ dependent upon any person
10 supply q capacity which am lacking.
! may fail, but will not put myself in
any such position.
"Your letter affords an abundance Of
other reasons why you should not help mo
in my work which is 10 bear my name,
but these are sufficient | add only what
IL necessary 20 make part Of what has
been already said plain II others
than yourself should ever read this
letter. You ask for contract
aud demand II 600 per month In advances
until the work Is completed. aud 10 per
cent OF the entire profits arising from tho
sale OF the work after II IA put upon tho
market This would make you partner
with my family NJ long rs the book found
a sale. This IN prcpostcrous. Not for one
moment has your proposition been enter
tanned by me. This, with the statements
enumerated In this letter and Others con-
tanned IN yours, makes Il impossible Ion us
TO he associuied In n work which IA 10 bear
my name Il would be degradation for
me 10 accept honou and profit from ihe
work of another man. while declaring 10
the public that Il Was the product Of NY
own brain and hand. ~,
81 write frankly because want yds -
know why cannot receive your services
on any terms. hopc that Il will not dis
turb the relations which have heretofore
existed between Ms In oil particulars.
Your prosperity In life will crafty mc.
"Ihs correspondence between IN NAV Ia
unknown t0 the world II yOn wish. I do
not ask secrecy, but the neccs,ity Tor pub
licity will not occur through any fault Of
mine. Repeating my assurance II tho
best wishes for your success IN llic and
health and happiness 10 the end, | SUBJ
scribe myself AZ ever, your friend anil we'll
wishcr, 4. :. GRANt."