The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-18
GRANT AND BADEAU.
Correspondence Which Shows the Latter in
Decidedly Unenviable Light.

NEW YORK, March 17.-Col Fred D. Grant
answers the various Rstories that have been in
circulation about the relations between General
Badeau and his father, the late President Grant.
by giving the whole correspondence to the
world. General Badeau was engaged by General
Grant. in 1884, to assist him in the preparation
of his personal memoirs. Els work was to be
that of an amanuensis This General Badeau
explains and admits in OF the letters, when
he says:
81 have 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 CORE
spondence, a demand upon General Grant to the
effect that he should be paid a certain sum per
month and likewise a share in the profits to
help the General build monument of enduring
fame. The proposition General Grant evidently
regarded as suggestion that General Badeau
should practically write his book and General
Grant assume the credit General Grant, in a
long letter, under date of May 5, 1885, in reply
to Badeau's proposition. says
"Since ponderlng over the contents OF your
letter, and more particularly the conclus-
ions have drawn from it, 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 association
50 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 have always
been, pleasant and friendly. You say
that am man of affairs and can tell simple
story etc. You imply that a literary
must supply some deficiencies, and that you are
the only man who can do it If this is the case
General, DO not want a book bearing my name
hafo fah I al
such extent to be fully entitled to the
credit of authorship. I do not want secret
between me and some one else which would de-
stroy my honor if 1t was divulged. cannot
think of holding myself as dependent upon any
person TO supply capacity which !
-. 49, .aEr.o,e =; - ...aL nosi4;- w.
letter affords abundance of other reasons
why you should not help me in my work which
is to bear my name. But these are sufficient.
add only what is necessary TO make a part of
what has already been said plain if others than
yourself should ever read this letter. You ask
for contract aud demand 81, 600 per month in
advance until the work is completed, and 10 per
cent of the entire profits arising from the sale
of the work after it is put on the market This
would make you partner with my family
long the book found a sale. This 10 prepos-
ferrous Not for 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 be associated in q work which is to bear
my name. 1t would be degradation for
mo 10 accopb nOnoES ana pront from the WORK OF
another man, while declaring 20 the public
that it the product of my own brain
and hand. / write frankly. because / want you
TO know why cannot receive your services now
any terms. ! hope that it will not disturb
the relations which have heretofore existed be-
tween MS 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 as
surance OF the best wishes for iyour success in
life and health and happiness 10 the end / SUBJ
scribe myself as ever.
Your friend and we'll wisher,
~. s. GRANT