The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1888-03-30
GRANT AND sADEAV.
Letter From Con. Grant Refusing to
Comply With Extortionate De.
Mande Made by Badeau..orant
Would Make No Dishonest Claims
70 Althopahtn

New York. Special Telegram. March H.
1t was rumored that Gen Bndcau had be.
gun legal proccedings against the widow OF
Gen. Grant to recover $35. These
rumors have now taken definite shape,
md it is known that Gen. Badcau has
made his claim for alleged literary work
done on the book known as "Gcn. Grants
Memoirs" 1t is also a fact that
Senator William NJ. Evarts and ex.
Senator Roscoe Conklins have been
asked by Mrs. Grant to defend the suit,
but these men refuse to talk On the sub
ject, and return ambiguous answers to all
inquiries. 1t is stntcd, however, that Mr..
Conkling has said that he would see to it
that the rights OF the widow OF his old
friend would be properly guarded and pro-
tccted: A gentleman who is well acquaint.
ed with the facts surrounding the writing
Of the memoirs told reporter that Col.
Fred Grant had said that when
Gen. Grant was working On the book
he had called Con. 1}a,leuu to his assist
ance to verify certain data appertaining
to battles and incidents in the lnte civil
war, and that further than that. that Gen.
Badcau had nothing to do with the writing
swers the various stories that have been
in circulation by giving the whole CORE.
spondence to the world. Gen. Badcnu was
engaged by Gen. Grant in 1884 to as.
sist him in the preparation OF
his personal memoirs. His work was
to be shat of an amanuensis. This Gen.
Badcau explains and admits in one OF the
letters when he says: II have no desire.
intention or right to claim the authorship
Of your book. The composition is cntr Q.
ly your own." After Gen. Grants sudden
tclapse in 1885 Gen. Badeau made, as mp.
pears in the correspondence. q demand up.
on Gen. Grant that he should be paid n
certain sum per month and likewise IL
share in the profits. The proposition
Cen. Grant evidently regarded as
sassestion that Gen. Badeau
Grant assume the credit. Gen. Grant in
long letter under date OF May 5, 1855,
suys:
Since pondcrins over the contents OF
your letter, and more particularly over
the conclusions have ,lrawn from it, and
reflections based upon what you say, and
my knowledge of your temper and disposi.
tion, | understand the letter better than
you do. have concluded shat you and
preparation oi any literary work goes,
which is to bear my signature. In all other
respects hope our relations may continue
us they have always been. pleasant aud
friendly. You say that am u man oi
affairs. etc, and can tell II simple story.
etc. You imply that n literary man must
suppy some deficiencies and that you are
the only man wno can do it. II this is the
case, general. do not want II book hear.
ing my name to go before the world winch
did not write to such an extent ~ to be
fully entitled to the credit of authorship.
lOnot want u secret between me and some
one else which would destroy my honor If
it was divulsed. / cannot think OF hold.
ing myself rs dependent upon any person
to supply II capacity which | nm lacking.
may fnil, but will not put myself in
any such II position. You ask for ~ con.
tract and demand $1,000 per month in
advance until the work is completed. and
10 per cent OF the entire profits arising
from the sllc ni the work after il is put upon
the market. This would make von IL part.
ncr with my family rs long us the book
found II sale. THIS is prcposterous. Not
for one moment has your proposition
'hcen entertained by me- This. with tho
statements enumerated in this letter and
Others cont,.incd in yours. makes 1t i'm.
possible for us to be associated in q work
which is to bear my name. 1t
would bo degradation for mo TO
accept honors and profit from tho
tho public that IL was the product OF my
own brain and hand. write frankly, he.
cause want you to know why cannot
receive your services now on any terms.
hope that it will not disturb the rcla-
tiolis which has heretofore existed between
us in all particulars. Your prosperity in
life will crafty me. This correspond.
encc between us may be unknown to tho
| world il you choose. do not ask sccrcsv,
but the necessity for publicity will not oc.
cur through any fault OF mine.