John Harrison Wilson, The life of Charles Henry Dana

[375] some of Grant's intimates at that period were inimical to Dana, and had begun to avail themselves of such chances as they had to arouse Grant's suspicion against him. But that their efforts were so early successful can hardly be believed. This view of the case is strengthened by the fact that externally, at least, Grant and Dana remained on friendly if not intimate terms till some time after Grant had become President. This is shown not only by Dana's letters to me during that period, but by the still more important fact that when he was asked in the spring of 1868 to write a Life of Grant, and accepted on the condition that I should collaborate with him in the work, I took the precaution of writing to Rawlins for his views on the entire subject before accepting the proposition, which was that I should prepare the text, that Dana should read, revise, and amend it as far as necessary, and that the book should be published in our joint names.--To this, notwithstanding Grant's understanding with Badeau, and Badeau's strenuous objection that any one but himself connected with Grant's military career should write his life, Rawlins not only gave his hearty approval, but assured me that neither he nor Grant, with whom he had fully conferred, saw the slightest reason why I should not accept Dana's offer, or write the book separately on my own account. There was no suggestion of Dana's unfriendliness in this correspondence, and no doubt cast upon his perfect good faith. Other facts will be cited in their proper order to sustain this view of the case.

The troubles with the Chicago Republican began almost immediately after Dana's connection with it. He had scarcely got settled and begun work in earnest before the fact that enough actual capital had not been provided became apparent. I visited him in February, and found that the concern was already crippled by lack of means. The situation was both unexpected and embarrassing.