Description:

Sherman William

Autograph signed letter, to Alfred M. Hoyt. December 27, 1884. Fifth Avenue Hotel, New York City. 3 pp. 5” x 8”. Former general and president Ulysses S. Grant lost his entire savings after trusting unscrupulous speculators. Many friends, including former military and political allies, rallied to assist him. Grant, though gravely ill with cancer, was embarrassed to accept their generous offers of assistance. With the help of Mark Twain, Grant struggled to complete his memoirs. Having accomplished that task on July 19, 1885, he died four days later. The immediate success of the book provided financial security for his family.

The letter, in part: “I am just back from Grant's, and find your letter of 1.10 PM. I had waited until 1. PM before starting up. I cannot go to Fish's for want of time, but I will see Drexel & Childs on Monday and explain to them the exact state of facts. I see no chance of raising the $100,000 now, and infer the case must take its legal course. You have done all & more than I asked and will limit my action to a mere display of a real desire to befriend the General. He has his Lawyer Seward and son Fred to watch his interests and they must do what the case admits of. Fred says that the sale of the chattels valued at $23,000 is deferred to Jan 3, 1885, and that the lands & property mortgaged to Vanderbilt can be sold within six months for $150,000, so that then is a clear over plus of $70,000 to any one who would take Vanderbilt's offer but I take it no body wants to mix up in the matter. So keep out. I will also, and let others manage this unpleasant business. Grant is busy on his proposed Book which he thinks he can finish by May next. Love to all / affectionately W.T. Sherman".

Historical Background: As an expression of gratitude for his saving the nation, and his life of public services, early in 1881, George Jones, the owner of the "New York Times", began an effort to raise $250,000 to be invested with the annual proceeds of approximately $15,000 going to Ulysses S. Grant and his family. The entire amount was quickly subscribed, including $25,000 each by Jay Gould and William H. Vanderbilt. Meanwhile, Grant invested his entire savings of $100,000 with the Marine Bank of New York, under the leadership of Ferdinand Ward and James D. Fish, with Grant’s son Ulysses Jr. as a special partner. Under false pretenses, on May 4, 1884, Fish asked the former President to secure a loan of $150,000 from William H. Vanderbilt to aid the Marine Bank. Out of respect for Grant, Vanderbilt acquiesced.

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