New York City,
Jan’y 13th, 1885.

DEAR SISTER: 

I am just in receipt of Jennie’s letter of the 2nd of January.  I am busy on my book which Fred is copying for the press.  I hope to have it ready for the press by May next.  But I may fail in this on account of weakness.  My mouth has been very sore, but not so bad I think as the papers have made out.  But it has been bad enough.  The rest of the family are all well.

My advice is that Mr. Cramer does not resign until he is asked to.  Simpson I do not suppose will be disturbed in his position.  He is very competent, and the soul of honor, both qualities wanted in the Sub-treasury.

All send love.

Yours affectionately,

U.S.  GRANT.

PROCLAMATION TO THE CITIZENS OF PADUCAH!

I have come among you, not as an enemy, but as your friend and fellow-citizen, not to injure or annoy you, but to respect the rights, and to defend and enforce the rights of all loyal citizens.  An enemy, in rebellion against our common Government, has taken possession of, and planted its guns upon the soil of Kentucky and fired upon our flag.  Hickman and Columbus are in his hands.  He is moving upon your city.  I am here to defend you against this enemy and to assert and maintain the authority and sovereignty of your Government and mine.  I have nothing to do with opinions.  I shall deal only with armed rebellion and its aiders and abettors.

You can pursue your usual avocations without fear or hindrance.  The strong arm of the Government is here to protect its friends, and to punish only its enemies.  Whenever it is manifest that you are able to defend yourselves, to maintain the authority of your Government, and protect the rights of all its loyal citizens, I shall withdraw the forces under my command from your city.

U.S.  GRANT,
Brig-Gen. U.S.A., Commanding.

PADUCAH, Sept. 6th, 1861.

[The following letter is from the secretary of General Grant’s aunt, the Aunt Rachel referred to on page twenty-seven.  It is included in this volume as a historical curiosity.]

Chestnut Hill, Va.,
June 5th, 1861.

MISS GRANT: 

I have not often written to “incog.” correspondents, nor should I have the presumption now to address you, unknown to me (unless by reputation), but that peculiar circumstances have so combined as to induce the experiment.  Your Aunt, Mrs. Tompkins, has been prostrated by illness for many days, and, for a while, closely confined to her couch; thus rendering it at least inconvenient to respond to your elaborate epistle, and, having permitted me the pleasure (?) of its perusal, she requested me to act as her Amanuensis.  In compliance, then, with her desire I shall proceed “ex abrupto” to discuss the various points you have presented; hoping you will pardon whatever of presumption there attaches to me in taking up a gauntlet thrown not directly at my own feet.