Interesting ALS as president, signed “U. S. Grant,” three lightly lined pages on two sheets, 5.75 x 9.25, Executive Mansion letterhead, January 31, 1872. Grant writes to General William S. Hillyer. In part: “I am very much surprised at the contents of the letter which you enclose to me from Mrs. Rawlins. Like you however I do not find fault with her course nor consider it remarkable. I have only this moment received, and read, your letter and Mrs. R’s and therefore am not prepared to decide beyond the possibility of a change of views as to the best course to pursue. It is to be presumed that the gentleman to whom Mrs. Rawlins is married will not want the charge of the children but even if he does I think it would be better to have them go with their relations in Orange Co. New York, who I know will be glad to take them.
The house where Mrs. Rawlins now lives may be sold if the same can be got for it that was paid; if not it should be rented…. All the furniture of course Mrs. R. should keep as her own private property. In the first payment on the Danbury house I used the salary voted to Gen. R. by Congress. One fourth of this is due to Mrs. Rawlins. It strikes me that I had better purchase for the benefit of the heirs of Mrs. R’s share of the Washington house, and pay her in addition her share of the purchase money for the Danbury house…. I am very much obliged to you for the offer to take the children until arrangements can be made for them. If Mrs. Rawlins desires I wish you would and let me know so that I may write to their relations on the subject.”
In very good condition, with partial separations at folds (old tape repairs touching a few words), with faint show-through, a hint of mild soiling, and a few tiny edge chips, well away from the text. The writing is dark throughout, and the signature is crisp and completely unaffected. The letter is published in full in The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant; a copy of the pertinent pages accompanies the letter.
Rawlins was the widow of General John A. Rawlins, one of Grant’s closest personal advisors and secretary of war in his administration. Grant had been instrumental in securing a comfortable pension for Mrs. Rawlins, the terms of which evidently had to be adjusted in light of her remarriage. In the midst of his presidency, this correspondence is a unique example of Grant’s personal attention to matters. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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