Ulysses S. Grant to John Sherman writing on behalf of H. H. Smith - American History 1493-1945 - Adam Matthew Digital

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Field name	Value
Collection Reference Number	GLC00695
From Archive Folder	Documents Relating to the 1870s
Title	Ulysses S. Grant to John Sherman writing on behalf of H. H. Smith
Date	4 May 1877
Author	Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson) (1822-1885)
Recipient	Sherman, John
Document Type	Correspondence
Content Description	Mentions changes to the New York City Customs House. Writes on the behalf of an H. H. Smith, a weigher and also a brother-in-law of John Rawlins, a close personal friend of Grant and former Union General. Explains that Smith's "record has always been good in every respect" and is now the guardian of his sister's children. "[A]s executor I[Grant] feel an interest in whatever may be for their interest" and hopes that Sherman can help the family keep their present arrangements for taking care of the children since Grant will be leaving the country soon. Written on lined paper with a slight embossed design with "Holyoke CO" in the upper left hand corner. Design carries through to the following pages.
Subjects	President Government and Civics Children and Family Estate Taxes or Taxation
People	Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson) (1822-1885) Sherman, John (1823-1900) Rawlins, John Aaron (1831-1869)
Place written	Elizabeth, New Jersey
Theme	Reconstruction; Banking & Economics; Government & Politics; Children & Family; The Presidency
Sub-collection	The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1860-1945
Additional Information	Sherman was a Republican Representative and later Senator from Ohio who served from 1855-1898. He later became Secretary of the Treasury under President Hayes and Secretary of State under McKinley. Rawlins was a deceased Union general and Secretary of War under his close personal friend, Grant.
Copyright	The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module	Civil War, Reconstruction and the Modern Era: 1860-1945
Transcript	Show/hide President of the United States Elizabeth, N.J. May 4th / 77 Hon. John Sherman Sec. of the Treas. Dear Sir: In the changes in the New York city Custom House which I see from the papers are likely to occur I want to say a word in behalf of one - H.H. Smith - a weigher. If Mr. Smith lacked within competency or faithfulness to duties I would not say a word in his behalf. But I believe his record has always been good in every respect. He is the brother of the first Mrs. Rawlins - the mother of Genl. Rawlins children - and since the death of the stepmother has had the [2] charge of them. In this charge he has been very faithful and as their executor I feel an interest in whatever may be for their interest. If their uncle should be removed it might lead to a breaking up of present arrangements for the care of their children - two of whom are girls - that would be quite inconvenient at this time just as I am about leaving the country. Very Truly Yours U.S. Grant [docket] Elizabeth, N.J., May 4/77. U.S.Grant. For retention of HH. Smith, Weigher N.Y. C.H. Letter to Coll Customs N.Y. May 9.

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