Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1888-03-29
A Badeaudar.

A Badeaudar.
The Press dispatches say that Col
Fred Grants answer to Gen. Adam
Badeau's claims puts the latter in "a
bad light. We think the fuss the
General is kicking up may be more
properly called bad odor, and if one
is not Il believer in reformed spelling
lie MAY spell il Adam Badeaudor. In
the first place it is well known fact
that the employment of Gen. Badeau in
any capacity was at his own suggestion.
tie rather thrust himself upon General
Grant, and as a designing man of that
stamp will work upon one of Grants
trusting disposition, Badeau came very
near gaining his point and getting a
chance TO obtrude his egotistical per-
sonaiitt into Grants Memoirs. But
his purpose became so evident that the
General decided to dispense with his
services. II will be remembered that
there was considerable gossip at the
time about the rupture between them.
After Gen. Grants sudden relapse in
1885, Badeau, impressed with the mag
nitude Of the sale Of the proposed work,
and seeing in the authors feeble con-
dition and his (Badeau's) knowledge of
Gen. Grants plans, a chance to get n
share Of profits and to couple his name
with that of the famous general in a
work of enduring fame, wrote letter
to Grant, proposing that he be paid a
certain sum per month and also have
a share in the profits, for aiding the
General in the completion of his
memoirs.
The proposition Gen. Grant evidently
regarded as a suggestion that Gen.
Badeau should practically write his
book and Gen. Grant assume the credit.
In long Letter under date of May 3,
1885, in reply to Badeau's proposition,
Gen. Grant says:
"Since bordering over the contents
of your letter, and more particularly
over the conclusions | have drawn from
it, and reelection based upon what you
say, and the knowledge l have of Your
temper and disposition, | understand
the letter better than you do. | have
concluded that you and | must give up
all association so far rs the preparation
of any literary work goes which is to
bear my signature. In all other re-
spects hope our relations may continue
as they have always been, pleasant and
friendly. You say that am man of
affairs, etc. and can tell simple story,
etc. You imply that literary m an
must supply some deficiencies. and that
you are the only. man who can do it.
If this is the case, General, l do not acant
JooE bearing nay name TO go before the
scorld Which I did not aorite 10 such an
crte,st as 10 be fully entitled 10 the credit
Of authorship I do rot a6ant a seer et
betWeen me and some one else sckieh
would destroy my honor i dirulgcd l
cannot think of holding myself as de-
pendent on any person to supply a
capacity which am lacking. 1 may
fail, but / will not put myself in any
such position.
"Your letter affords an abundance Of
other reasons why you should not help
nue. in my work which is to bear my
name. But these are sufficient | add
only what is necessary to make part
Of what has already been said plain, if
others than yourself should ever read
this letter You ask for contract and
demand $1,000 per month in advance
until the work is completed, and 10 per
cent of tue entire profits arising from
the sale Of the work after it is put upon
the market This would make you a
partner with my family as long us the
book found sale This is preposterous
Not for one moment has your PROPOSE
ton been entertained by me. This,
with the statements enumerated in this
letter and others contained in yours,
makes it impossible for US to b. associ-
ated in work which is to bear my
name. 1t would be degradation for
me to accept honors and profits from
the work of another man, while declar-
ing 10 the public that it was the product
of my own brain and hand.
Il write frankly. because want you
to know why | cannot receive your
services now on any terms. | hope
that it will not disturb the relations
which have heretofore existed between
us in all particulars. Your prosperity
in life will crafty me. This correspond
ence between US may be unknown to
the world if you choose. 1 do not ask
secrecy, but the necessity for publicity
will not occur through any fault of
mine. Repeating my assurance of tho
best wishes for your success in life, AL
happiness TO the end. | subscribe my
self as ever, your friend and well wisher,
~. S GRANT"
In his reply to this letter Badeau says:
Il have no desire. intention Or right Il
clam the authorship Of your book, The
composition is entirely your own."
But now at this late day when Grant
name and style have given 10 the book a
sale that it could never hare had with
any Badeau in i, he comes and de.
mands share Of the proceeds, and
claims most OF the credit OF the author.
ship. Col. Grant efectually answer;
every point raised and puts his father :
detractor in his true light before Tho
public. He Is quoted as saying tina
three courses are open 10 Badeau
First, to sign paper disclsiming any o
the credit for Gen. Grants book; second
to sue for his claim ia the courts; third,
| to srbitrate the matter.
The colonel declares THAI since his
fathers death. people who have had
any dealing with the family have in
variably endeayored to extort money