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[525] been simply overwhelming.—To-day I start for Cuba & Mexico. Sheridan & wife, Fred & his wife & Kittie Felt, Mrs. Grant & I make up the party. We will stop over in Washington until the 30th We go to Flo. by rail and cross over to Havana from there. In the two last chapters of your book I have seen nothing to criticise. Your chapter on Stanton is the best pen picture of a historical character I ever read. I venture to predict that it will be so considered by critics when it comes before the public. The fact is I think the whole book will rank among the most truthful, and best written, histories ever presented to the public. It will be criticised of course by friends of some Generals who do not rank in your estimation as they do in their own, and by personal enemies. But you will find on the whole favorable criticisms.

I expect to be back in Galena as soon as the weather gets pleasant in the spring, and to remain there until time to go to Long Branch. I will then have the summer to arrange for a permanent home and occupation. It may be the Canal in which case I will live in New York City. It must be occupation or a country home. My means will not admit of a city home without employment to supplement them. All my family join in kindest regards to you.

Very Truly Yours,


Letter no. Fifty-eight.

I returned to the United States, on leave, in April, 1880, but Grant was in Galena. I went out to see him in May, just before the Chicago Convention that nominated Garfield for the Presidency. After the result was known I wrote to him, of course, as warmly as I knew how, and yet without saying too much of his defeat—the first in his career. The manly but touching letter which follows was his acknowledgment.

The sentence mentioning Porter and Seligman refers to some business propositions that were made to him after the failure of his political friends at Chicago, for they knew now that he must turn his attention to his own affairs; as he was far from rich, or even independent.

S. S. Scranton and Co., Hartford, 1887.

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