St. Louis,
Oct. 1st, 1858.

Dear father: 

I arrived at home on Tuesday evening, and, it being my “chill” day, of course felt very badly.  Julia had been much worse during my absence, but had improved again so that I found her about as when I left home.  Fred, has improved steadily, and can now hear nearly as well as before his sickness.  The rest of the family are tolerably well, with the exception of Mr. Dent whose health seems to be about as when I left.  Mr. Dent and myself will make a sale this fall and get clear of all the stock on the place, and then rent out the cleared land and sell about four hundred acres of the north end of the place.  As I explained to you, this will include my place.  I shall plan to go to Covington towards Spring, and would prefer your offer to any one of mere salary that could be offered.  I do not want any place for permanent stipulated pay, but want the prospect of one day doing business for myself.  There is a pleasure in knowing that one’s income depends somewhat upon his own exertions and business capacity, that cannot be felt when so much and no more is coming in, regardless of the success of the business engaged in or the manner in which it is done.

Mr. Dent thinks I had better take the boy he has given Julia along with me, and let him learn the farrier’s business.  He is a very smart, active boy, capable of making anything; but this matter I will leave entirely to you.  I can leave him here and get about three dollars per month for him now, and more as he gets older.  Give my love to all at home.

Yours truly,

Ulysses.

To J.R.  Grant, ESQ.,
Covington, Ky.

[After giving up farming Grant engaged in the real estate business in St. Louis, with a Mr. Boggs as partner.  The girls referred to are his three sisters.  Simpson is the brother next in age to himself.]

St. Louis, Mo.,
March 12th, 1859.

Dear father: 

It has now been over a month, I believe, since I wrote to you last, although I expected to have written again the next week.  I can hardly tell how the new business I am engaged in, is going to succeed, but I believe it will be something more than a support.  If I find an opportunity next week I will send you some of our cards, which, if you will distribute among such persons as may have business to attend to in the city, such as buying or selling property, collecting either rents or other liabilities, it may prove the means of giving us additional commissions.  Mr. Benton was here for some time and used to call in to see me frequently.  Whilst he was here I submitted to him some property for sale, belonging to a Mr. Tucker.  Since Mr. Benton’s departure, Mr. Tucker has called several times and wants me to submit his propositions again, and say that if he is disposed to buy, and pay considerable cash, he will make his prices such as to secure to him a good investment.  I enclose with this a list of the property, and prices, as first asked, one third cash, balance one and two years.  Please tell Mr. Benton if he feels like making any proposition for any part of this property to let me know, and I will submit it and give him an answer.