Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Eugene City guard. (Eugene City, Or.) 1870-1899 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 25, 1884)
THE BLAINE LETTERS. James G. Blaine was n nieinlM-rJof the Fortitth Con gress, (March 1S7 0) and Speaker of the House in the Forty-first. Fortv-.sccond, and Forty-third Congresses (ISO!)- 75), Mr. Blaine was also eloteifto the Forty-fourth Con- XOTES. Chiefly cron- ttZTit cress (1875), hut the House had become Democratic, and ... i.. ii... ai.. lii--iiu in hub J)UH'llt isov. io, isTu See Blalne'a me morandum lxxik. Fhnwlnir contrail lor l.i7,.W bowli; alvihlt letter Oil 4, isti. 8"'' ,.!,.,..., I IV.n.n.xilm ! i . L-nr furtnin flinnrcH liiivinff been l li'l ivii n i'uiiii' niiv ..iv v. ...... .....p' o made. Mr. Blaine, April 21, 1870, made a "personal explan ation" in the House, in the course of which he paid : ge niitin- Li- "i never Iiudnny transaction of niiyklndvvltli Thomas .. k: lu'l. .1. ..... 1 .. w ..i a, i. I 1. ... I. I icr ".':,. A. Scott concerning IkhhIS l me lame ttoca ami run ,-iiiuii ruuu, po i-i"ncr uaier , , , - , .. . ,.-., i,d!,.. n u or lie ixiiuih OI any ouht ruiinmu, vi niij nectod with railroads, directly or indirectly, immediately or re motely." . "To (five a seeming corrolsiratioii or foundation to the story winch I have disproved, the absurd rumor has lately appeared in certain newspacrs that I was the owner of from $150,000 to $250,000 of the Little Hock and Fort Smith Railroad bonds, which I received without consideration, and that it was from these lxinds that Thomas A. Seott received his $75,000.. The statement is gratuitously and utterly false. " . ,....,,, ... " In eonimon with hundreds of other jieople in New England and woramliim - imkp other parts of the country, I lxiught some of these bonds, not a and inter (M 4. Very large amount, paying for them at precisely the same rate wlir.'rn'rl'In,! fbat others paid. I never heard, and do not Is-lieve, that the Little Rock Company, which I know is controlled by highly honorable men, ever parted with a bond to any jierson except lit the regular price fixed for tlu'lr Male." see Blaine rtr " In aoMition ln.v investment in the lionds I united with others : u-ra Oct. 4. ww- in raising some money for the coni)any when It met its first financial No one will ever troubles. Proceeding are now pending in the United States Circuit "t!W5.'ri9 - c'0"rt of Arkansas, to which I am a party of record, for the.re-ini-now what yon iar bursement of the money so advanced. All the bonds which I ever Htiont the import- purchased I continued to hold when the company was reorganized "l!!.01,1'1 ' in 1R74. I pxchamred them for stock and bonds in the new concern, A.aii endeavor to which I still own. My whole connection with the road has J J'""., "v'.1' J'"!1 Im'cii an oiien as the day. If there had been anything to i7'Keen mjcoiiceal nlxmt It, 1 should never have touched i tntv rfteili ill . , . . ii. 1.1........ I.. .1 .-1 . ." ft. ..ii n 1 1 it ...i t ft, .kii.tiiiiiiiiiT ik iiiMiriiififs. ill iiiiiiiiii'ir in mil n ,,i ,. v. . , . i ifim . .....n . . . - - - liamennlet;' never nave louciieu it. I ruble. HI. 1K7U "Hum ul.ln iiiwl I .In nnt know ntiv better test to llliolv to the Ihow uu'anloi."'" honor and falrnesHof a business transaction. As to the question of propriety involved in a member of Congress holding an investment of this kind, it must Is- remembered the lands were Tiiin act wa to granted to the State of Arkansas, and not to the rail t"o "1 im" h'T roal 'laiiy, "'"I tlint the company derived its life, franchise, mTd i Kort smlti. and value wholly from the State, and to the State the company is Itailmiul company amenable anil answerable, and not in uny Reuse to Congress, to wniplrt. '' since 1 purchased the bonds but one act of Congrest has passed n.ii.-of i!ai'i riii-r in any way touching the subject, and that was merely to rectify panned April in, n previous mistake in legislation. " lH"J i Tit"0 a'' " 1 reiHMit, the Little Kock road derived all that it had from the t'ndi Uo,. i,l State of Arkansas, and not from Congress. It was in the dis It did not require crction of Congress to give or withhold from the State, but it was Mhe woa" mMv witl,i" llie ,liHm'tio11 of thu stute t0 8ive pr 'hhliold from kanxaa. the Little Kock Railroad Company." Thi aet re. " Instead of receiving bonds of the Little Rock and Fort Smith Healed the follow- road as a gratuity, I never had one exeent at the regular lug prov lllff III tKindn i Mr Bli vidtd, That I a ml d the follow- road as a gratuity, I never had one exeent at the regular roviio atieot- market prleei and instead of making a largo fortune of that !o'iui'nen.v company, I have incurred a severe jweuniary loss from my invest ilalne: 1'nl iiient in its securities, which I still retain ; and out of such affairs as That the this grows the popular gossip of large fortunes amassed lni ongrcss. granted hy u F i .....,; ... .,...i.;.,.. :,, n,,i.iw, ,.arr Inr uliicli T 1 . .... i ft I UIC lll.-Ml llfll(7 lltlllllllft ill HIT IF.IIJ.I vhiv.. w .....v.. - vived thai! be oid could be put to the faintest'blush in any presence, or for which I can to aetual aettien not answer to my constituents, my conscience, and the Great one quarter of a Mr. Illaiiie at the time of making this statement supposed that all awtlontoonopur- . , . . . , , ..,...,.. , , ... Warra i.iuIlr T,.n rniuer, and lor a iriiuri w iiiu.i iihu inwrni m-mna nnu nuu . nin..iiinini,w In.?. of Boston, a partner of Mr. Blaine's brother-in-law Mr. Stanwood, T I"" Id Kee Qmarruimil liu.l Iww.n uiVHli III). V..I. l .1 c .'(fc,Fi'b.2,rlff, There in another reason which made it particularly exasperating to me, that is, that in the month of September, 1872, Mr. Fisher and 1 had a final settlement, in which we exchanged receipts in full. I think the nrccise date was September 21, 1S72. It was then said that all letters on cither side, and all papers ami wraps of papers, should be given up, and I supposed they were given up." Tmliiimni of Mr. HUtnir Wjore Judiciary Lommitli'f. In May, 1S7II, however, the Judiciary Committee was conducting an investigation into certain railroad matters, and subpo-naed Mr, Fisher and Mr. James Mulligan, his lmk-keeicr. Mr. Mulligan brought w ith him a number of letters, memoranda, etc., which Mr Blaine procured from him in tho famous interview, and from which, under pressure from the press and his political friends, Mr. Blaine read in bis second " personal explanation " of Juno 5, 187(1. The following comprise tho letters read by Mr. Blaine, that of November !Ti, 1H70, made public through the Now York .S'ioi by Mr. Auuua Adams, and the others niiice furnished to the public by Mr. Fisher and Mr Mulligan, chronologically arranged. On June 12, 1H7U, Mr. Blaine had his sunstroke, and the investigation was Mstponed, and it was never completed, Mr. Blaine having meanwhile been a tinted to Secretary Morrill's vacant place in the Semite. not a very lnrye amount paring (or them at prvciae- lTlie name Jot . II Williams. "ao.OU)." la erased in pencil 1 ly the aame rale . . . .... hat othera paid. I fourth pagr of meuwramlnm-booK. nerer heard ami , ... ... . i. e j ....i. i . do not believe that ill auuiuuii iy iiib comuion hiock, prcicrrcu nwi , anu hibi, iuui i- he Liitle ij'xjt gngo bomls agreed to be delivered to the respective parties named oinoany wliii-h . v. .. . '... I know I con. on the preceding naire. Mr. Fisher agrees to deliver to J. O. hontrahilfmen- Iale a similar aiiioiuit of land ImuhIs and 25 per cent. ever parted with a 0f Hr.st mortgage bonds, viz. : on except at the Land bond, is regular orice tixed Firat mortgage bonds, 6a . . . inntead of rweiv- The same to lie delivered bv Mr. Fisher as soon as ready for dis- Inif Immla of the 4 .ji,,,, :,. Ultle Hock and tnbution. ort Smith road aa griitiilty, I neTer had one except at le regular market price. HUtine prrnmnl tiplann- in oj April .'l. , , AcocsTA, Me., October 4, lHtjfi. "My whole con- r. r t r:.. i i :.' nectiiin with the iiY l'AK iUK- rim'sK, nou cncioseu iu,"aai tiit-ca. in puv iui road haklieen open A. A P. Coburn's Sllbscri)tion. a the day. Ii iiiero j prenume you w ill receive by same mail the 20 per cent, due on all to emfeea" atioiU the subscriptions already forwarded to you, and also on the follow- lt, I rhould never lllg : have touched it Pl.iln TIonuv I?ulf,iwl t.'wVUi Wherever conceal- . ... . ' ' -vvi meiit 1. advisable. A. . Johnson, , oOOO avoidance l desir- R.C.Johnson, " oOOO able; and I do not Nahum P. Munroe, " 5(100 le'n'.amSytothe C. B. Hazeltine " TsJOO honor anil fairneoa This makes (125,000 in all I have disjiosed of. It is doubtful if I of abuiuetrans- dinnoHP 0( any more; but I shall know by to-morrow. So there will ..i.nnn. bo no delav to embarrass you in any wav. o one will ever f" - - . .aft V . of April Wasiusutos, Mav 2i, 1SC4. My Pkah Sir. Your favor received. 1 am very glad, all things con aidercd, that the (iovernment has accepted your iromition to take all your manufacture till 1st September, ISlio It gives a straight mid Hteadv bithiness for the coiiumnv for a good stretch of time. In regard to the tax provision you can judge for yourself, as 1 send herewith a copy of the bill as reported from the Finance Committee of the Senate and now pending in that body see pages HS-140, where I have marked. In looking over the bill you will please observe that all words in italic letters are amendments proposed by the Senate Finance Committee, w hile all words included in brackets are nrooosed to tie struck out bv same committee. The provision which vou inquire about was not in the original bill, but was an amendment moved from the Way and Means Committee by Mr. Kasson, of Iowa, to w hoin 1 suggested it. It is just and proper in every souse, and will effect a good many interests, Includ ing your company. 1 am glad to hear such good accouhts of vour nioirivss in the affairs of the company, of which 1 have iilwavs been nroud to be a member. Tell Mr. Welles that his brother has lieon nominated by the Senate for commissary of subsistence, with rank of captain. He will un doubtedlv be continued as soon us his case can he reached. I will advise as soon as it is done. hi haste, yours truly, Warkkn FisiiKit, Jr., Eso.- J. U. Buink Aini sTA. June 20, 1SO0 My 1kar Mr. Fisiikr. I thank you for the article from Mr. Lewis. It is good in itself, and will do good. He writes like a man ,.( 1 ....... liiinlliiri.iwo unit einiiitndiension. Vinir niter to admit me to a narticination m tho new railroad t note to next ,.t0rprise U in everv resMH't an generous us 1 could expect r, July 2, l. -i.jr,,. i .hunk vou very sincerely for it. ami in this connection 1 wish to make a suggestion of a Homewhat Hellish char acter. It is this : You soke of Mr. Caldwell disposing of a share of his interest to me. If be really designs to do so, I wish he would make the proposition definite, ho that 1 could know just what to dcicnd on Perhaps if he waits till the full development of the enterprise he might grow reluctant to part . . .. I 1 - A 1 .. .1 ! - ... .. 1.1... with the snare ; anu l no noi ny hii mean any uitouji i huh. i iln nnt iWl that I sliall Drove n dead-head in the en temrise If 1 once embark in It. I nee various channels in which 1 know 1 can be useful. Very hastily and sincerely, vour friend, J, G. Blaink. Aic.fsTA, Maine. July 2, 1&0. i"hh' dwdo! 'v KK Fisiikr, You ask mo if am satisfied with the offe ?.L1?. !L..i. i - nui iimke inn of a share in vour new railroad enterprise. hew England ami ' of course I uiu more thuii satisfied with the terms of the u.er pam oi me ..n,.r i ti, nk it a most litK rul ltroiMisi t Ion COO 11 t J I ... l,.;,,,, ,. , n : iM.. ,...,,ai.l..r.i i..na tn -av iAnniMln.l Wlt IMaKnlMine OI ll I lil-nn' , ft. ft" iiviu . . .Li.,... ........ .o ..s, ......... " ihewbondt-nisa the character of the offer. Your liberal mode ot dealing ft letle Try large amount Inc in ftU our business transaction of the past eight years rtm"ieiy h ,,ot Passed without my full appreciation. What I fame rale mai ota- w IMIO VOU O 24. 1876 1 RO Ul B. l . .t . . . .. I !!!.. ..11 ltd ui iioston i'V samo train inai carries mis icuer, ana win can at your otlice to-morrow at 12 m. If you don't happen to bo in, no matter. Lon t put yoursell to any trouble aooul it. Y'ours, J. G. B Tbe followini are the coutenU of a memorandum-book in the Judiciary Committee (containing schedules of contract of September 'JJ 7ranari 5, 18(10), and which is lulielled on the outer cover : t i o n." - Jiiu;'i Warren Father, Jr., private." liim of April -li, First page of U ,., transaction Synopsis on next and following pages of the contracts made a perfectly open through J. (J. lllaine by Warren Fisher, Jr., as assignee more aevn-cv in re- of the contract for building the Little Rock & Fort Smith Railroad. u li3 1" t-i?" " .SVrowf and ( h ird patjri of mem -book. h'K ''' Contracts miule by Warren Fisher, Jr., with the following-named the whole matter Will KB ii)it-u aim an fair as IhsdMy." Bltiinr't ilraft of U tter fur Fithi r to tign and return. Kami; Ki-e aUo ronlrart of Sept. &, kIvimi on edltorlul pane. Tho aliurd ru mor lias lately ai- H'ami iu evniiiu , ,. . , i i i i 11 . .1... ewiancni that I'rson 10 (louver me BtocK anu oonos iiiuueu, 011 weir jinving uic wa llie owner 01 .,,,i . from l . U . tSti.Wot tlie Ml- , lie Rock and Fort smith Kftllroad boiiiU. which 1 re ceived without roii'lilerailon, and A . A P. Coburn that It waa from Xl'eter K. Sanborn., these bonds that XAnsoU P. Morrill.. Thomas A. Scott XKalph C, Johnson . received Ills rv) XP. K. Ilaxletlne The statement Is XC, II Halelloe ... rntiilloiislv and XN. P. Monroe Iteriy iuiie... .in A.n. jonnson (ueeeasea eominou witn nun- xii. 11. jonnson rvls of other peo X I'lillo llemer pie ill New Knir-XISM. Morrill and ami other xa. B raniell parts of the conn- Mos. II. Wllliums ... try. I bo uk 'it XC. M Bailey some 01 llie mums I note what you nay about the importance or m. iT" ing nil quiet here. 1 fully appreciate y'r wisdom and v'r ness, and shall endeavor to do Just as you desire In ii premlseH. The letter enclosing tho Globe by same mail w iti! ! 8 can be read by you to Mr. Caldwell, if you think it ex ,, d To Kkckivf. RosMenee To Pay. Cuiiiiima t I referred . 1'lrU M. Stutk. Slock. HthhU. skouiuKaii. t-vi.ono,' wiiii a.0.1100 iiO.oio AiiKiista . 10,1111 1U0 HI.WM 1IMW Keadlielil.. 1U,UHv' 1. H',M 11I.0U0 Belfast ' 10,000 1U.IID 10,(11) 10.000 ' .... 1,'i.OUO S.UI) 3,II0 fi.000 " ... 5.UW .'OHIO fi.000 " ... VS.0W S.UI) M0 5.(1)0 .... V'S.IIO .'.UK ii.000 S.OOI " ... V.'i.OH) A.OII) 5.000 5.01S3 " .... '.VJI) 5 0111 5,(100 ft.000 Augusta .. V5.0M 5,111) S.HO 5.0H0 5.0III 5.(11) 5,000 5.000 " ... 5,111) 5,l( 5,IU 5.000 Wliithrop.. Y5.000 5.UU0 6.000 5.0O0 li:ai,(il ll:),illl i:J.O0O l:.ooo "I have never done anytliliiK In my public career for which I could be put to the faint est blusn in any presence, or (or which I cannot an swer to my constit uents, mv conscl- ence.aud the (treat searcher of Heart "KMut't explnnalion of April 24, l;ti. ,...v ... ......0 - f ,mci it 'ii c. I shall see you in Boston Thursday noon. Don't send mv . to Maine folks till I come. Yours, ' lTe,''U J- 0. Blaixj, Aiocsta, Me., Kth Xv iu,,. My deab Mb. Fisher, It is quite evident to my mind that'at t! approaching session of Congress there w ill Ik; an expansion f !!" currency to the amount of fifty to seventy-five millions of dollar' The form it will take, I think, w ill be an addition to the .ni, . ! Bank circulation West and South. ' " "ml My object in writing is to ask iu season if your friends would desir. to establish a Bank at Little Rock. It will lie to Home extent a matter of favoritism as to who gets the Banks in the several localities, and it will be in my power to "cast an Anch,;, to the Windward " in y'r behalf if vou desire it. l'lease think over tho matter, and confer with Mr. Caldw ell, and let me know your desires as soon as you reach any conclusion. There is, of course no siecial hurry ; but I thought I would suggest the matter in order that you might mature your thoughts in good time. It would be well to determine the amount to which you mi" w ish to go. I supixise it might bo practicable to secure "a $."00,(ii) bank ; but in that locality you would hardly w ish to go so deep, hut they are very profitable institutions say t'l'50,000. Yours very truly, J. G. Blaine $1.10,000 . ... v,m Fifth page of memorandum-book. The other contracts on different bases are as follows : 1. With Joseph A. Sanborn and Charles M. Bailey, Mr. Flslier ugreei to deliver s.i common slocK. All for tUVO, pavable t""il 1 risio v X MID preferred stock. S.HDIaiid bond. 10,000 first inoriK'iige bonds !.0ii0. November 'i'i. W). ., Deceinlicr 5, lNiy. ZW. Januarv 5. 170. MS), February 5. 1T0. !J. Jiarcn n. is.", sno, April 5, ls70. MO. May J. lsTU. siij, June , K0 H.jU) The amounts inclosed on left-hand margin above, $000, $2,200, $1,700, arc payable by Mr. Fisher to Mr, Blaine. The sixth and seventh pages of memorandum-book contained three contracts similar to the lost, in which the amounts to lie paid Mr. Blaine were respectively $:5500, $1150, and $(1000. 'Wherever con cealment is advis able, avoidance ia i, know from me that I have disposed of a sinjrle dollar in L'!.0 lar.l ... i o .1 ... li ..ii- :.i. i urn iiu u) wi- ilium .ii riiiirf. iirou in ii(i iHiiimrruHNMit'iu I I i k v nu .nr. .... a ......... . I U'l H.' wniiij The transact on I'll Ii well. I (lout wisli vou to settle tlial matter wit 11 Mr. tauiweu the nouor ana kiis iM-rfietlv oiH'ii 4iii ...... I. ft.. . m I'w.m iiiniuptilii 11.,.,.. I ..,...:,.. k V I fair , hi. n., J"" ues transaction , j,l,r,u liairiitt M.mift. tm v I I. Kl ftTVL- I ... . .. t limn. sii-frl- 111 n. vuiniui, L'nwniiftiiu, ...i.,..v. .ft... v. ... I Ifuixnf t wfrwnui gurd toil, tlian if After 1 ree'd the letter in regard to Mr. Adams's case I telegraphed tipianat ion of u nan oeen u- ,, ,, n,. hino had ret'd. and I think the susnension was at once i'r" J. ti. ii. the whole matter P. S. I send only S000 this morning. ill send f L'OOO remaining was as open ami i....,...,,.. . , A , ,, IU 1111'IIUH 111,1 11 IIIKi as fair a the day. Maine' drnit uf letter for tithrr to tign and return. Washington, May 14, 1870 My dkah Ma. FisiiKit, I think on the whole I had better not in sist on the $40,000 additional bonds at the same rate. My engage ment was not absolute, and I can back out of it with honor. I would rather do this than seem to lie exacting or indelicate. Besides, I have always felt that Mr. Caldwell manifested the most gentlemanly spirit toward me, and designed to treat me handsomely in tlie end. On the whole, therefore, 1 shall lie better off porhapii to let things remain as they are. But I w ill follow your judgment in this matter if I can find what it is. Very hastily, J. G. Blaise. (Private.) Acocsta, Me., Nov. 25, 1870. My Deab Mb. Fisher,.! year ago and more I spoke to you about purchasing an interest in the Northern Pacific Railroad for yourself and any you might choose to assiciate with yourself. The matter passed by w ithotit my being able to control it, and nothing more was said about it. Since then the Jay Cooke contract has been perfected, the additional legislation has been obtained, and 2o0 miles of the road are well nigh completed, and the w hole line will be pushed forward rapidly. By a strange revolution of circumstances I urn axaii able to control an interest, and if you desire it you can have it. The whole road is divided into twenty-four shares, oi which Juy Cooke & Co., have twelve. The interest I spak of i one-eighth of one-twenty-fourth, or one oiie-hundredth-and-ninety-second of the entire franchise, being that proportion of the eighty one millions of stock that are being divided as the road is built, arid a like proportion of the Land Company 6tock that is formed to take and dispose of 52,000,000 acres of land covered by their grant as amended by the law of last session. The amount of stock which this 1-1!2 would have in the end would be alxiut $425,000, and the number of acres of land it represents is nearly 275,000. The road U being built on the 7-.T0 bonds, $25,000 to the mile, which Jay Cooke takes at 00. Instead of mortgaging the land, they make' a stock company for its ownership, dividing it uro rata among the holders of the franchise. The whole thing can be had for $25,000, which is less than one-third of what Home other sales of small interests have frone at. I do not suppose you would care to invest the w hole $25,000. I thought for a small flyer eight or ten of you in Boston might take it $2,500 each . For $25,000 thus invested you would get ultimately $42,000 stock and the avails of some 27,000 acres of land. Five of you at $5,000 each would have a splendid thing of it. The chance is a very rare one. I can't touch it, but I obey my first and lest impulse 'in offering it to vou. All such chances as this since Jay Cooke got the road have been accompanied w ith the obligation to take a large amount of the bonds at ninety, and hold them not less than three years. 1 will lie in Boston Tuesday noon, and will call msin you." Of course, if you don't want it, let it imss. You will receive an immediate issue of stock to a considerable amount, and certificates of land stock also. Of course, in conferring with others, keep my name quiet, men tioning to no one unless to Mr. Caldw ell. I w rite under the presump tion that you have returned, but I have heard nothing. Yours truly. J. G. Blaine. "As to the quei- Personal. Aiocsta. Maine. Oct 4, ISoO. Mv Dear Sin. I snoke to vou a short time ago about a point of involved in a mem- l,erest ,H ,,r riulrouu company that occurred at tne last i..1.. ..!'' i',,r.. session of Comrress. milling an invest- It was on the last night of the session, when the bill renewing the incut of this kind, hind grant to the State of Arkansas for the Little Kock road w as ia-red thaV't hi reached, and Julian of Indiana, chairman of the Public Lands Com- amU were urant- niittee, and bv right entitled to the noor, attempted to put on tne d io the Stale of i.:n :..,. l, .,.., .1,., v,..,. . i. i f IMil) B till nillCimilaVlIl, Ulaf m IClll"iiV an-v rvovim a.. .1-1. Arkansas, a i n. . fc y Caldwell. The House was thin, and the company, and that lobby iii the Fremont interest had the thing all set up, and Julian's the company de- n,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,. waH tjkelv to nroviiil if brought to a vote. Boots and chise, and1-value other members from Arkansas, who were doing their best for their wholly from the own bill (to which there seemed to be no obiectioli). were in despair. state ihA"onnanv ,1",t the Semite was hostile to the Fremont i amenable ami scheme, and if the Arkansas bill had gone back to the Senate with answerable, and Julian's amendment, the whole thing would have gone on the table VHin.il) e .sr . . . . f(f j . , In this dilemma Boots came to me to know what on earth he could fion of April si, do under the rules: for he said it was vital to his constituents that the bill should nass. I told him that Julian s amendment was en tirely out of order, because not germane; but he had not sutlicient conlidence in his Know ledge of the rules to make the point, but he said General Logan w as opHsed to the Fremont scheme, and would probably make the point. I sent my page to General Logan with the suL'iiestion. and he at once made the point. I could not do other wise than sustain it ; and so the bill was freed from the mischievous amendment moved by Julian, and at once passed without objection. At that time I had 'never seen Mr. Caldw ell, but you can tell him that without know ing it I did him a great favor. ' Sincerely yours, J. G. Blaine. W. Fisher, Jr., F,g., 24 India Street, Boston. Received of Warren Fisher, Jr., $25,000 in trust, in consideration w hich I am to de cutes of an interest of w hich I am to deliver to said Fisher proiierly authenticated certin it in the Northern Pacific Railway tomj :any equiv alent to one-eighth part of one of tho twenty-four principal share in which the franchise stock of said company are divided ; certificates to be in the name of Klisha Atkins. ltness my hand, James G. Blaise. Forty-kirst Congress, U. S., . House ok Representatives, Washington, 1). C. December 7, 1870. My Dear My Fisher, You have ree'd Mr. Boutwell'a answer. I presume vou will deem it necessary to come on here ; if so, let nie know of ft a dav or two in advanc I have w ritten Mr. Caldwell about the Bank, no trouble in secur ing a B'k of $500,000. , 4 Sec'y of War will not allow the use of the Arsenal at Little' Itock says it is impossible. Very hastily A truly, J. G. B. See abort. Ai'gusta, October 4, lSi0. My Dear Mr Fisher, Find inclosed contracts of parties named I in my letter of yesterday. The remaining contracts will be com pleted as rauidlv as circumstances will permit. 1 inclose you part of the Congretiional UloU oi April 9, contain I never remem- :., tl,ft noint to which I referred nt some length ill mv previous letter onhe mid itntil of' to-day. You will find it of interest to read it over and see what at the last night of n narrow escape your bill made on that last night of the the session, when session. Of course it was niv plain duty to muke the ruling when II was lip nere nir .. . ;.. .,. r.,:a,,.l If the ArknnsiiH men linil not. however. It.lllArMlllltl I hi- ............. ....... .... - . ... , titb-man ill llos- bllltlH-lied to CO1U0 to 1110 wllt'll I ton with whom.. I hill would undoubtedly have In-en lost, or at least postponed for a I 1 Ul ..i.a .11.1 . ... ' . t . 1 i. not have anythina: year. 1 thought the point would interest both vou and Caldwell, to do w in that tlioniril occurrimr oeiore eiioer oi us enirtiKeu in me euicr irisu. mad for nearly I u,,t v,.n i. iiii,lrvtnii,l tlmt I tlnirnnclilv minn-ciAte Hie courtesy moMhsarfier "hat with which you have treated me in this railroad matter, but your time. It t In the conduct toward me in business matters has always been marked by UkIu of. that state- unlwiunded lilicralitv in past years, and of course I have naturally "h.t rtatemi-m come to exiieet the same of you now. You urge me to make as read." iiiumf' much as I fairly can out of the arrangement into which we have en erpinnatyo of Jut ,.red. It is natural that I should do mv utmost to this end. I am l7- l..tl,rft.l milw )iv imu tliinir nmt tlmt is il.-rinite and expressed ar- I rangement with 'Mr. Caldwell. Iam anxious to acquire the interest he has promised me, but I do not get a actuate under standing with him as I have with you. I ahull lie in Boston in a few days, and shall then have an oppor- tnnitv to lalk the matter over full v w ith vou. I am disposed to think that whatever I do w ith Mr. Caldwell must really be done through you. Kind regards to Mrs. Fisher. Sincerely, J. G. Blaink. handwriting of Mr. Blaine, produced by Mr. Mulligan before the appi y io U honor by express ivkv) Ait.i-sta. Me.. 5th Oct.. lSt0. Mv Dr.p Mb V,sl,v-n I inclose vou two thousand dollar check, -My whole en-balance of A. A P. Coburn's installment; two thousand dollars in nionh. 1 been pay't of Anson P. Morrill's installment; one thousand dollars in open a th day Jiav't of Lot M. Morrill's installment. Lot M. Morrill's subscription if there hl been uf Vjfloo is additional to those already advised, making in all $130, "i'ibma iZ'a'l 000. There may possibly be $20,000 more, but $150,000 w ill be my should never hare limit. touched ii. Where- i received youra inclosing P. R. Haxeltine'a letter from Belfast. r.d,rb7e .oM-By mail succeeding this you will receive Cashier Check for 11000, anre is de.ir.bie: and hereafter you will have no trouble with any of the Maine ud aud I do not know gcriptjons. All will come to you in Cashier Checks or money direct Hoi se or Representatives, Washington, 1). C. December 9, 1870. ' Mv Dear Mk. Fisher, I wrote very hastily, both to yourself arid Mr. Caldwell, in regard to the Bank. 'A further conference with tlie Comptroller of the Currency gives some additional facts which are of interest, and this letter is intended alike for yourself and Mr. Caldwej. Please show it to him. They are now allowing (J0 per cent, circulation on 10-40 Bonds, instead of HO, and then 85 at dif ferent periods iu tho past. Thev give me the assurance that voo shall have full $450,000 circulation on a Bank of half a million capital. ... . You can, of course, deposit 5-20's if you please ; but you will gej no more than 00 ier cent, circulation They will cost you more, of course; and though you get more interest, you will very likely be disturlied in the quiet possession of them very soon by the operation of the Funding Scheme. . The opinion gains ground here quite rapidly, as you might inter from Secretary Boutwell'a Keport, that the debt can not be funded at less than o per cent. By taking 10-40 Bonds, therefore, vou would be undisturbed w long as the Banking Svtcm lasts, or at least for thirty years and more. None of the 1040's mature before a. d. 1004, and that w quite long enough to embrace w ithin the scope of any financial opera tion. It might be well to have your formal application for y r in crease of capital, and then take such time as you may wish for get ting vour Stock subscribed. If you desire, I will confer w ith Senator Rice'in regard to forms, tc. It might be better now f let him taw the lead. Yours very truly, J. G. Blaink- Augusta, Me., 29 Dec., 1870. My Dear Mr. Fisher, I am in hopes now that I shall secure $25,000, or nearly that. I find money very tight and rates well up to 9 per cent. stiff at that. The most of it will lie for 5 and 6 months. If I had had more time and earlier notice I could have raised more, and at easier rates. I have seen most of the parties to whom bonds are due. I uQ noi have much trouble about the January Coujion of the 1st Mortga. Bonds but thev of course growl some on six of the Bonds, would t glad to" have the Coupon. I promised them inrficiftJ''y " make it right in the future. I did not in any way use the name w the Company nor commit you to anything only viytelf. On the Land Bonds I can not make them see the equity of rem"' ing the April Coupon, & I promised to try and adjust that mai w w ith you after mv return to Boston. Thev all agree with one oit that no bond shall be extiosed for sale. I wish you could gen the benefit of that fraction making 32 of the 1st Mortgage Bom" the $31,500 due. I use the extra $:hX) in adjusting the inter matter, & it fits in completely. I will make it all right with yo- What 1 want, then is nno ($32,000 1st Mortgage Bonds, -'uuu $50,000 Land Bonds, ,-j)000 and also fr collateral to the notes for $25,000 an additional of Land Bonds. c ,,,i.v at Please meet me at Mr. Caldwell'B private office on Saturw 12.15 sharp. I shall try to be there precisely at noon, "L 15 minutes for grace. It is very lmporwini i x --y . ... . ft. T5 . with mP IO I a man wui come w uvbw completed that day, as i c barge oi tne Bonos. Yours in g't haste, J. G. Blain-