New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-04-21
mr.. GREELEY's LETTERS
some IIrrHERyo uNpuRIIsHEp.


vw rrNANcrAn DIFFICULTIES - PRICES AT
WHICH HE SOLD TRIBUNE STOCK
THIRTYFTvE YEARS AGo-THH
- DEATH OF "PIoKIE."
a number of interesting letters written by Mr..
n,ae,ey. which have never been published, have
istelv come into the possession of the Editor Of
The Tribune They cover several important peri
AZ in Mr. Greeley's life, and shed light on vari-
o,s nbases of his character The first group indi-
..es the financial straits in which he often found
h;roseh. and which were largely due, as ne himself
frequently testified to his pdulgeut gene rosity to
needv friends 1t may also be remarked IN pass
inc that the differences between the prices which
Mr. Greeley asked for shares Of Tribune stock at
various times in which he sought to dispose OF
them and the prices they have brought since form
striking illustration OF the growth In power ana
r,osnerity not only of the newspaper which ne
founded. but of the whole Ameriesn press, Here
,s series of letters in which ne discusses with
80 nd the sale of share of Tribune stock, and
-, hos a curious interest to-day Nothing is
80 ro,eworthy in these letters than his anxiety
"a ho should ask his friend more than the stock
.so,th Most men in o transaction Of this kind
% .....rt with stating the sellers side of the
case, Int Mr.. Greeley was so incuraoT honest that
he could not refrain from laying stfess upon 'ne
TACT that The Tribune had not been DONG so wen
as he supposed
N,w.York, June 90, 1854.
pusp. II you would like a share in The
r lnsnu I wish Won would buy one Of me, for
am horribly in want OF money; n1u IaaV sle
Yanrsrv dividend was not 5000, as supposed,
but which makes Ssoo per rs a psr sp"r
S;nided tbough $50 may have given us $3.50.
+ ash $4,000, and think it worth that amount
Shares have been sold consideraoIy higner-none
lower. think It was sold above that two years
sgo@ialf share Of Bayard Taylor's for 81, $50
in omen competition at one OF our NEE ungs Oh
stockbolders when Bayard wanted money. IL
bss been considered very cheap at $4,000 ever
since cir" I sold a share to Bayard few days since
and took the cash; he would have taken another
il he had had the money. Ripley Jour coolest
, dividend of on the lst OF July. But do not de-
Sire that you should make even seeming sacrifice
10 accommodate me. Business Is business We
- HORACE GREELEY.
New-York, June 80, 1884.
Dear R: Since wrote you YESTERDAY clrcum-
stances have transpired which render IL proper for
me TO withdraw my offer to you OF share OF stocR
in The Tribune Association. Yours, II. u
New-York, June 8, 1854.
Dear R.: wrote you rather abruptly that
the offer Of share OF stock in The tribune was
Withdrawn on account of unforeseen clrcum-
stances. now write to inquire whether you see
dence) to buy ten or more shares OF the stock
at So 0oo each, Our circulation is much larger
than in any former year Our advertising Is ais9
considerably larger. You know that we increased
our expenses over $50, 600 year by an enlarge,
ment fifteen months ago. think this a good
chance, and offer you, unquantedIy zen sna are
for $50 900 in cash with the understanding that
I am not selling out nor meaning TO reduce my
own interest. Circumstances do not permit me TO
say>more than thai there is struggle In progress
between antagoniste ideas IN our concern, ana
that 1 must spccumb or stand ready to buy out
an adverse interest. No noise must DE maze
about this-not whisper-but it is probable tnat
we shall need a new publisher If my ideas pre-.
vail. / stand ready to make the transfer OF
stock whenever required, with the single OBJECT
Of being able TO meet offers to sell IN case my
ready 10 give back the purchasers money and take
my STOCK at ms opium HORACE GREELEY.
New-YorlS, July Z. 1854.
Dear R: have yours OF the 1st. There is
struggle in progress among us (which you muss
not breathe TO any one) respecting the price OF
the paper, some wanting TO raise 1T In order 70
make more money; believing we can make our
share at the present price thonga the lines ines aSt
paper in the world, try 10 make 1t the best anu
hope it may become as popular and urgent as a
hy Es5S@ p at ean Ds e"R o
hardly fail TO make $4,000 a year very soon.
say within three years Meantime, think s26 900
TO s35 900 a year profit by no means despicabie
But others will have all the eggs out of the
golden goose at once, and brew difference wmGh
is likely TO lead TO a secession l want 10 ps
able to buy out the leading opponents at low
prices whenever the subject shall come up, as
see il soon must believe l see the way.
HORACE GREELEY. q.
Here is a letter to the same friend, some five
months later, which shows that Mr.. Greeley
thought himself lucky in that day to make nearly
$500 in two weeks by lecturing, and gives an
- fho n
une:
trio TO Ohio in which l made little money,
not much but something for me in these times
almost $500 net in two weeks
You will be glad to hear that our AFFAIRS are
improving IL mine are not The Tribune is now
taking $4,000 q week over it's expenses, and WIN
lend me what money 1 need, II VIII ASK ~
But don't like the precedent and want 10 De
out of debt, so shall sell some two to four
Thank Won for your kind offers and endeavors.
Il gives one courage to know ne mas iplen1 1a.
Besides, / have been away among the people Tor
the last fortnight, and / cannot fail to see that
their heart is sound. The Tribune is still force
and il is not waverng. In spite Of these terrible
times we are receiving more subscribers than ever
0ef''e 0 HORACE sSSEE'i GREELEY.
Another letter, written year and half later
Indicates the steady growth Of the paper:
Washington, d. c. June rs. 1856.
Friend r.: Yours is received ana cpecK
pocketed. II had to-day the four shares OF
Tribune stock that was obliged to sell for
$4,000 last winter, and on which the buyers
have since received 81, 400 in dividends, could
get 81 900 for them very easy. hope not to
be Obliged to sell any more, and should now
have TO sell them in the concern IL at oil.
HORACE GREELEY.
Ii win be noticed that Mr. Greeley shrinks
from the idea Of being in debt. Upon this sub
iect, as every reader Of his Recollections Of a
Busy,Life" knows, he was almost morbidly sensi-
tive. The struggles of his early years in carry
ing on @The NEWCOMER under infinite dis
couxagements and continued losses and embarrass-
ments due 60 the bad faith OF those who might