216 résultats
18693251406/04/1869. <p>The Dakota Territory was created by an Act of Congress on March 2 1861. Boundaries of the Dakota Territory changed on a number of occasions. Originally the territory comprised an area that included the present states of North Dakota South Dakota and much of Montana and Wyoming. From 1863 to 1864 the area of the territory was limited to the present day Dakotas. The territory included most of the present state of Wyoming and the Dakotas from 1864 to 1868. And from 1868 to 1889 the territory comprised the present states of North Dakota and South Dakota. The territorial capital was established in Yankton in 1861 and later removed to Bismarck in 1883.</p><p>When the final extent of the reduced territory was split and admitted to the Union as the states of North and South Dakota the Supreme Court of the Dakotas was abolished by operation of law and its function was taken over by the North Dakota Supreme Court and the South Dakota Supreme Court.</p><p><strong>Document signed</strong> Washington April 6 1869 appointing George W. French subject to the advice and consent of the Senate to be the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Territory of Dakota.</p><p><img class=""alignnone wp-image-25018 size-post-window"" src=""https://cdn.raabcollection.com/wp-content/uploads/20231204144051/Folder-site-11-1600x1327.jpg"" alt="""" width=""1600"" height=""1327"" /></p> unknown
18703292608/01/1870. <p>John Quincy Adams first enlisted in 1862 with the 38th Ohio Volunteers. On October 15 of that year he was a quartermaster sergeant with the 10th Ohio Cavalry reporting to Cairo Ill. for Instruction on February 23 1863. After a stint as acting lieutenant on July 15 1864 he was appointed by the President Second Lieutenant to date from March 3 1863. Adams was actively involved in the Georgia campaign conducted by Gen. William T. Sherman. He was with left wing of the 16th Army Corps on the march to Chattanooga Tenn. In the Atlanta Campaign he participated in the battles of Resaca Dallas Kennesaw Mountain. and Jonesboro. He manned signal corps stations at Kennesaw Mt. and Allatoona.</p><p>Adams was on the ""the March to the Sea"" with Sherman’s forces. He was in the engagements at Port McAllister and Rice Mill station in the campaign from Savannah through the Carolinas including battles at Columbia Bentonville and Raleigh; and at the surrender of Confederate Gen. Joseph E. Johnston to Sherman on April 26 1865. Adams was breveted 1st lieutenant for gallant and meritorious service in the Signal Corps at the battle of Allatoona; he was breveted captain for gallant and meritorious services in the Signal Corps at the capture of Fort McAllister and Savannah and throughout the war. Adams was mustered out August 22 1865. After the war he was in the 1st U. S. Cavalry and was in the Indian wars and finished his career as captain and aide to Gen. O.O. Howard in October 1884. He is listed on the roster of the U.S. Signal Corps in the Civil War.</p><p>This is President Ulysses S. Grant’s appointment of Adams as First Lieutenant in the 1st U. S. Cavalry. <strong>Document signed</strong> Washington January 8 1870 naming Adams “<em>First Lieutenant in the First Regiment of Cavalryâ€</em> to rank as such from the fourteenth of September 1869. The document is countersigned by William Belknap as Secretary of War.</p><p>In 1866 the 1st Cavalry Division was sent west to California and other western states and it served during the Indian Wars in the west. In June 1884 while Adams was still serving with the regiment it was transferred to the Department of Dakota. In their new assignment the troops were assigned to various forts which had been established during the Indian wars to subjugate the Sioux Cheyenne Crow and other Native Americans.</p><p><img class=""alignnone wp-image-25018 size-post-window"" src=""https://cdn.raabcollection.com/wp-content/uploads/20231204144051/Folder-site-11-1600x1327.jpg"" alt="""" width=""1600"" height=""1327"" /></p> unknown
1870151783New Jersey 24 September 1870. Autograph letter signed by and entirely in the hand of Ulysses S. Grant as President. Two pages blue lined paper the letter is addressed to Governor M Jewell of Connecticut. The letter reads in full "Dear Governor: .Mrs. Grant and myself leave here for Boston on Monday next to put our son in College. We will return about Wednesday to Hartford and remain only long enough to take Nellie out to Farmington. We will be pleased to accept your proffered hospitality for the short time we do remain in your city. Please present Mrs. Grant's and my kindest regards to Mrs. Jewell and the children. Yours truly U.S. Grant." Double matted and framed with a portrait of Grant. In fine condition. The entire piece measures 22 inches by 13.5 inches. Prior to serving as the 18th President of the United States Ulysses S. Grant served as the Commanding General of the United States Army and led the Union to victory over the Confederacy under the supervision of President Abraham Lincoln. Elected president in 1868 Grant stabilized the post-war national economy created the Department of Justice and led the Republicans in their efforts to remove the vestiges of Confederate nationalism racism and slavery. The presidential administration including the cabinet of Ulysses S. Grant was fraught with scandal and corruption following the Black Friday gold panic in 1869 scandals were discovered in seven federal departments including the Treasury Interior and State. Known to run his cabinet in an unprecedented military style Grant often pardoned whose accused and convicted of government crimes nepotism became prevalent in his appointments with over 40 family members appointed by him to the United States government throughout his two terms. unknown
187144047Washington D.C 1871. Portrait engraving of President Ulysses S. Grant. Boldly signed U.S. Grant. The engraving measures 5.5 inches by 4 inches. This portrait engraving produced by the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing. In near fine condition affixed to an 8 inch by 10 inch sheet bearing a small note. Matted and framed. The entire piece measures 16.5 inches 18 inches. Ulysses S. Grant was the 18th President of the United States 1869–77. As Commanding General of the United States Army 1864–69 Grant worked closely with President Abraham Lincoln to lead the Union Army to victory over the Confederacy in the Civil War. He implemented Congressional Reconstruction often at odds with Lincoln's successor Andrew Johnson. Twice elected president Grant led the Republicans in their effort to remove the vestiges of Confederate nationalism and slavery protect African-American citizenship and supported unbridled nationwide industrial expansionism during the Gilded Age. unknown
19004189c. 1900. Original oil painting measuring 18 by 22 inches handsomely gilt framed entire piece measures 24 by 28 inches. In very good condition. unknown
1881150473New York March 3 1881. Letter signed by Ulysses S. Grant as President of the Mexican Southern Railroad Company. One page on Mexican Southern Railroad Company letterhead manuscript in another hand the letter reads in full: New York March 8 1881 Hon Hubert O Thompson Commissioner of Public Works 31 Chambers St New York Dear Sir: I take great pleasure in presenting to you Mr Ricardo Orozco Civil Engineer of Mexico who has been in the employ of the Company which I represent in locating the Mexican Southern Railroad and who has been engaged and is now largely in-terested in the public works about the City of Mexico. Mr Orozco desires to examine the Water Works particularly and other of the public works of this City with a view of acquiring information which he may make available in the work to be accomplished about the capital of his own country. I would esteem it a favor if you would facilitate him in the object he has in view. Truly Yours "U.S. Grant." Mounted and framed with a ticket to Grant's Inaugural Procession two Mexican feather art pieces one depicting the Mexican eagle and flag and another with two American flags with the gold embossed words: Welcome to Grant Mexico 1880 and an engraved portrait of Grant. In near fine condition. Mounted and framed. The letter measures 8.25 inches by 11 inches. The entire piece measures 21 inches by 17 inches. After leaving the presidency Ulysses S. Grant sought to translate his public stature into commercial authority most notably through his role in founding and leading the Mexican Southern Railroad Company. Developed in collaboration with the Mexican diplomat and statesman Matías Romero the venture aimed to build a strategic passenger-and-freight corridor linking Puebla and Oaxaca strengthening regional commerce while attracting U.S. capital to Mexican infrastructure. The company was incorporated in New York on March 1 1881 with Grant serving as its president and functioning as the project’s principal public representative to investors and the press. Despite these high-profile beginnings the enterprise was weakened by slow surveying construction delays and persistent financial instability entering bankruptcy by the mid-1880s. Under subsequent ownership construction resumed and the line was completed in 1892 operating profitably for a time before its eventual nationalization in 1936 a trajectory that underscores both the ambition and volatility of transnational railroad development in the late nineteenth century. unknown
18653462628/08/1865. <p>Ulysses S. Grant was living in Galena Illinois when the Civil War broke out. The Civil War won on August 18 1865 Galena celebrated Grant’s heroic return. Following a jubilant procession with much flag waving and speeches a group of Galena citizens presented the General with a handsome furnished house on Bouthillier Street. Today the house is managed by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency as the U.S. Grant Home State Historic Site.</p><p>The Soldiers Monument Association was a group of local organizations founded after the American Civil War to fund and erect monuments to fallen soldiers and veterans. In 1865 many such groups formed and one of these was the Jo Daviess Soldiers Monument Association in Galena Illinois established to honor that county's soldiers who served in the Civil War. The Association is known for its handsome membership certificates which pictured vignettes of Lincoln Liberty flags and soldiers and were signed by Grant who was the honorary president. In time a monument to the soldiers of Jo Daviess County was constructed in Grant Park Galena.</p><p>A <strong>membership certificate</strong> to the Soldiers Monument Association with compelling vignettes including Lincoln constituting individuals as members of the Jo Daviess Soldiers Monument Association Galena dated August 28 1865 and <strong>signed</strong> by Grant as President of the Association. Gen. J.C. Smith has also signed as Secretary.</p><p>This is the first Soldiers Monument Association certificate we have ever carried and it is particularly compelling with its association of Grant and Lincoln.</p><p><img class=""alignnone wp-image-25018 size-post-window"" src=""https://cdn.raabcollection.com/wp-content/uploads/20231204144051/Folder-site-11-1600x1327.jpg"" alt="""" width=""1600"" height=""1327"" /></p> unknown
188618751New York: Charles L. Webster & Co 1886. First Edition First Printing. Full leather. Near fine. First edition of the Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant inscribed by his friend and financial advisor George W. Childs. Octavo two volumes 584pp Vol. I; 647pp Vol. 2. Publisher's deluxe three-quarter morocco binding gilt title on spines raised bands with decorative gilt compartments marbled leaf edges. Light rubbing to tips of the spines some wear to gilt along the spine of Volume II expert coloring to brown morocco spine. Both volumes with frontispiece portrait of Grant with tissue covers. Both volumes are complete with over 50 illustrations maps and fold-out facsimile documents. Housed in a custom brown cloth slipcase. Eicher 492 Dornbusch II: 1986 Inscribed in Volume I: "John T. Spencer / With the best wishes of his friend / G.W. Childs / Christmas 1885." Ownership inscription of "John T. Spencer" in Volume II. An exceptional association copy. George W. Childs 1829-1894 the influential Philadelphia publisher of the Public Ledger was one of Ulysses S. Grant's closest civilian friends and a trusted adviser when Grant was deciding how to publish his memoirs. Knowing that his health was failing Grant needed to repair his finances before his passing. For his memoirs the Century Company offered him a standard 10 percent royalty but Mark Twain acting through Charles L. Webster & Co. made a competing offer; either a 20 percent royalty or 70 percent of the net profits. Grant worried that Century's offer was "all in favor of the publisher with nothing left for the Author." Grant asked Childs to come to New York and judge the offer and Twain later recalled that Childs's advice was decisive: "Give the book to Clemens." He signed with Webster on February 27 1885 a move that ultimately brought Julia Grant hundreds of thousands of dollars. Charles L. Webster & Co unknown
1868149393Boston: E.P. Dutton & Co. Publishers 1868. First edition of this detailed account of Massachusetts’s political leadership military organization and social contributions during the American Civil War. Octavo original publisher's green cloth with gilt titles to the spine tissue-guarded frontispiece of the author. Association copy inscribed by the author to General Ulysses S. Grant "Senate Chamber Boston June 9th 1868 To General U.S. Grant U.S.A. from the Author Wm Schouler Late Adjt General of Massachusetts." Schouler was an American journalist politician and Adjutant General of Massachusetts during the American Civil War. In 1861 a Massachusetts militia training camp was named for him but later renamed for Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. He remained Adjutant General throughout all of the U.S. Civil War until 1867. Ownership stamp of Jesse R. Grant to the front pastedown. In very good condition with light toning and rubbing and damp staining to the bottom right corners of the panels. Housed in a custom folding chemise and half morocco slipcase with gilt titles. An exceptional association. Ulysses S. Grant served as the 18th President of the United States from 1869 to 1877 following his leadership as Commanding General of the U.S. Army during the Civil War. A key military strategist Grant played a central role in securing Union victory alongside President Abraham Lincoln. As president he supported Congressional Reconstruction aimed at protecting the civil rights of formerly enslaved people and rebuilding the South. His administration though marked by efforts to stabilize the postwar nation and promote industrial growth was also marred by widespread political corruption. Grant’s presidency reflected the complexities of the Gilded Age and the challenges of reunifying a fractured nation. E.P. Dutton & Co., Publishers hardcover
1885895 - 323 - 604<p>Salesman's Sample of the Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant</p><p><strong>Publisher and Year</strong>: New York: Charles L. Webster and Company 1885</p><p><strong>Edition</strong>: Salesman's sample issued prior to the publication of Grant's memoirs. These samples known also as <em>dummies</em> or <em>prospectuses</em> were at the center of the door-to-door campaign that made Grant's memoirs one of the best-selling books of the late 19th century. Because the book was not complete salesmen were equipped with these prospectuses to showcase to prospective customers. These were truncated mock-ups of the finished work containing selected chapters steel engravings and mounted binding samples spine strips representing cloth sheep and half morocco. Bound into each prospectus were order forms on which salesmen could record each customer's name address and preferred binding cloth sheep half morocco full morocco tree calf. All of the binding options were costly; adjusted for inflation they ranged from approximately $234 to $835. Mark Twain the co-owner of the publishing house and orchestrator of the sales campaign deliberately recruited Civil War veterans as salesmen and encouraged them to wear their uniforms recount wartime experiences and frame the purchase as a patriotic act in support of the financially distressed former president. Produced solely as temporary sales tools and never intended to survive most of these samples were heavily worn from use discarded or destroyed. Surviving examples seldom appear in commerce.</p><p><strong>Description of the Contents:</strong> Thin octavo front and rear boards stamped in gilt spine bare as issued floral endpapers. Contains abbreviated portions of the to-be-published first and second volumes including both title pages and steel-engraving portraits of Grant with tissue guards; several chapters of completed text; and tipped-in sheets indicating where foldout materials would be located. Tipped onto the front and rear pastedowns are spine strips representing three of the binding options cloth sheep and half morocco. After the sample text there are tipped-in notices that inform salesmen about the publisher's efforts to combat unauthorized imitations of Grant's memoirs the possibility of legal action against the responsible publishers the availability of the book only by subscription with the firm's agents and an announcement that Grant completed writing both volumes. The volume concludes with page listing the prices of the five binding options and a series of ruled pages on which the salesman could record customer's orders.</p><p><strong>Condition: </strong>Boards worn soiled and stained; gilt rubbed but fairly bright; tips pushed with some exposure; edges rubbed. Tight hinges and binding. Closed tear to the top and bottom of the front free endpaper and one open tear to the bottom. Mild tanning of the leather spine strips on the front pastedown to the front free endpaper and heavy tanning to the subsequent blank leaf as usual. Pages tanned with occasional minor imperfections and handling marks including scattered finger smudging. One order page is filled out on four lines. The rest of the order pages are unfilled and the last has been torn out.</p><p><em>"The natural disposition of most people is to clothe a commander of a large army whom they do not know with almost superhuman abilities. A large part of the National army for instance and most of the press of the country clothed General Lee with just such qualities but I had known him personally and knew that he was mortal; and it was just as well that I felt this."</em></p><p>Inventory ID: 895 - 323 - 604</p> Charles L. Webster and Company
18761012081876. Autograph letter signed by and entirely in the hand of Ulysses S. Grant as President. Addressed to the Attorney General of the United States Edwards Pierrepont the letter reads "Elizabeth N.J. Sept. 2nd 1876 Dear Judge While in Utica Judge Hunt spoke to me of the importance of appointing a member to Judge Woodruff at as early as a day as practicable on account of the great amount of business before the court. I do not know of any lawyer in the circuit to whom to tender the position when it should be Senator Edmunds and he I should dislike to see leave the Senate. But you are well acquainted with the Bar in that circuit and its wants and can no doubt suggest the right man for the place. If you will send me a commission therefore to St. Louis so as to reach me there between the 24th and 28th either filled up of the name blank with suggestions as to the best man I will sign and return it. Very truly your humble servant U.S. Grant." Grant appointed Pierrepont Attorney General of the United States on April 26 1875. When he assumed the office Pierrepont immediately implemented overdue reform in the South's U.S. Marshal and U.S. Attorney departments including extensive investigations into the conduct of the U.S. Attorneys and U.S. Marshals exposing fraud and corruption. Double matted and framed with a carte de visite of Grant. In fine condition. The entire piece measures 21.75 inches by 15.75 inches. Prior to serving as the 18th President of the United States Ulysses S. Grant served as the Commanding General of the United States Army and led the Union to victory over the Confederacy under the supervision of President Abraham Lincoln. Elected president in 1868 Grant stabilized the post-war national economy created the Department of Justice and led the Republicans in their efforts to remove the vestiges of Confederate nationalism racism and slavery. The presidential administration including the cabinet of Ulysses S. Grant was fraught with scandal and corruption following the Black Friday gold panic in 1869 scandals were discovered in seven federal departments including the Treasury Interior and State. Known to run his cabinet in an unprecedented military style Grant often pardoned whose accused and convicted of government crimes nepotism became prevalent in his appointments with over 40 family members appointed by him to the United States government throughout his two terms. unknown
1860730631860-1891. A collection of eleven letters and documents signed and hand-written by the 18th President of the United States Ulysses S. Grant and eight members of his presidential administration. Contents include a printed warrant for the pardon of John and Jerome Whisonant who were held at the Albany Penitentiary in 1874 signed by Grant an 1860 one page autograph letter signed by Secretary of the Treasury Lot M. Morrill discussing misappropriated funds an autograph quotation in the hand of 17th Vice President Schuyler Colfax "Let this be all thy care To stand approved in sight of God Though worlds should judge thee wrong. Schuyler Colfax Feb 8. 1873" an 1865 autograph letter signed by 18th Vice President Henry Wilson to President Johnson and 1873 autograph note signed by Attorney General Edwards Pierrepont a clipped signature by Postmaster General James W. Marshall an 1875 autograph letter signed on Depart of the Interior letterhead by Secretary of the Interior Zachariah Chandler to Gent. Adam Badeau with a second clipped signature an 1867 autograph note signed by Secretary of the Treasury George S. Boutwell and an 1891 autograph letter signed by Secretary of the Treasury Benjamin Bristow. An exceptional collection. The presidential administration including the cabinet of Ulysses S. Grant was fraught with scandal and corruption following the Black Friday gold panic in 1869 scandals were discovered in seven federal departments including the Treasury Interior and State. Known to run his cabinet in an unprecedented military style Grant often pardoned whose accused and convicted of government crimes nepotism became prevalent in his appointments with over 40 family members appointed by him to the United States government throughout his two terms. unknown
188534779New York: Charles L. Webster and Co. 1885 1886. 2 volumes. First edition of both volumes in publisher’s deluxe bindings. With 49 maps and illustrations including two steel-engraved frontis-portraits and two etched views all with tissue-guards. Also with fold out printed copy of manuscript and the dedication from Grant in holograph reproduction. Tall thick 8vo publisher’s very scarce deluxe bindings of original three-quarter morocco over boards gilt lettered and finely decorated with gilt emblematic decorations including a General's stars in compartments of the spines separated by raised bands each of the covers featuring large gilt medallions endpapers and all edges marbled. 584; 647 index. An especially fine bright and very pleasing set in the scarce publisher’s deluxe binding state. An unusually well preserved set the text exceptionally clean and fresh the bindings in excellent condition. The text-blocks appear near as pristine the bindings very well preserved indeed the books essentially as handsome as can be expected tight and strong and without evidence of use. RARE FIRST EDITION IN A VERY PLEASING STATE OF PRESERVATION. VERY RARE IN THIS FORMAT CONDITION AND DELUXE BINDING STATE. ‘THE FINEST MEMOIRS OF WAR EVER PENNED’. An important historical memoir of the Civil War arguably the most important and the best thing that Grant ever wrote. General Norman Schwartzkopf has recently called this the finest memoir of war experiences that has ever been penned. Collectible copies of these books are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain. Copies in this binding especially so.<br> The earliest days of the Civil War were a hard lesson in hubris for the Union Army. After the appointment of Grant to overall command of the Union forces the war would quickly turn to their favor. <br> Probably the most important book on the American Civil War and in many respects a masterpiece of American literature. David Eicher"s useful summary includes this fine judgment: "Grant’s MEMOIRS comprise one of the most valuable writings by a military commander in history . . . The work is genuinely that of the commander. As such it is valuable in its scope its plain and clear analysis and language and its broad conclusions about the conduct of the war.<br> "In the years following the war Grant would move into the political arena even against his best judgment and would with great public acclaim be elected President of United States for two full terms. Charles L. Webster and Co. hardcover
1874146684N.p. 1874-1902. Autographs of President Ulysses S. Grant Secretary of State Hamilton Fish and United States Army Generals Leonard Wood and Joseph Wheeler. Octavo one page. Signed by Grant "U. S. Grant." Additionally signed and dated by Wheeler "Joseph Wheeler Genl. USA. Apl. 11. 1902" Wood Leonard Wood Army Genl USA June 30th 1902" and Fish "Hamilton Fish Sect of State June 5/74". In very good condition with light toning to the edges. Rare and desirable. Ulysses S. Grant was the 18th President of the United States 1869–77. As Commanding General of the United States Army 1864–69 Grant worked closely with President Abraham Lincoln to lead the Union Army to victory over the Confederacy in the Civil War. He implemented Congressional Reconstruction often at odds with Lincoln's successor Andrew Johnson. Twice elected president Grant led the Republicans in their effort to remove the vestiges of Confederate nationalism and slavery protect African-American citizenship and supported unbridled nationwide industrial expansionism during the Gilded Age. N.p. unknown
18761505761876. Autograph document signed by Ulysses S. Grant as President of the United States of America. Quarto one page partially printed. The document reads in full "I hereby authorize and direct the Secretary of State to affix the Seal of the United States to the envelope of my letter to His Excellency Rafael Zaldivar President of the Republic of Salvador congratulatory dated this day and signed by me and for so doing this shall be his warrant. U.S. Grant Washington November 25 1876." Rafael Zaldivar 1834-1903 was President of El Salvador from 1876 to 1885 and later served as a diplomat. Trained as a physician in Europe he later taught philosophy and hygiene at the University of Guatemala before entering politics. His administration enacted liberal reforms that ended collectively owned lands and laid the groundwork for large-scale coffee cultivation a key phase of El Salvador's "Coffee Revolution." In fine condition with light toning. The piece measures 7.75 inches by 9.75 inches. Ulysses S. Grant was the 18th President of the United States 1869–77. As Commanding General of the United States Army 1864–69 Grant worked closely with President Abraham Lincoln to lead the Union Army to victory over the Confederacy in the Civil War. He implemented Congressional Reconstruction often at odds with Lincoln's successor Andrew Johnson. Twice elected president Grant led the Republicans in their effort to remove the vestiges of Confederate nationalism and slavery protect African-American citizenship and supported unbridled nationwide industrial expansionism during the Gilded Age. unknown
1863119455Boston: Ticknor and Fields 1863. Two volumes from the library of Ulysses S. Grant published the same year The Civil War was raging. Octavo 2 volumes bound in three quarters calf over marbled boards with gilt titles to the spine marbled endpapers marbled edges. From the library of Ulysses S. Grant with a presentation bookplate to the pastedown of both volumes which reads "Lieut. Gen. U. S. Grant from the Citizens of Boston January 1 1866." In very good condition. Rare and desirable. Ulysses S. Grant was the 18th President of the United States 1869–77. As Commanding General of the United States Army 1864–69 Grant worked closely with President Abraham Lincoln to lead the Union Army to victory over the Confederacy in the Civil War. He implemented Congressional Reconstruction often at odds with Lincoln's successor Andrew Johnson. Twice elected president Grant led the Republicans in their effort to remove the vestiges of Confederate nationalism and slavery protect African-American citizenship and supported unbridled nationwide industrial expansionism during the Gilded Age. Ticknor and Fields hardcover
1886353811New York: Charles L. Webster 1886. First edition. Illustrated. 584; 647 1 pp. 2 vols. 8vo. Publisher's full tan sheep with contrasting labels marbled edges. Faintest traces of rubbing a near fine set. First edition. Illustrated. 584; 647 1 pp. 2 vols. 8vo. The president and Civil War general's remarkable memoir written in the final years of his life as he was suffering from terminal throat cancer. Suffering both physically and financially as the result of financial misfortune Grant began writing his autobiography in the fall of 1884 and finished in July of 1885 five days before his death. Samuel Clemens Mark Twain encouraged Grant and shepherded the book to publication through the Webster connection.<br /> <br /> Eagerly anticipated by a public that had been following Grant's illness in the press the book was an immediate success upon its release and has long been considered one of if not the best memoirs written by an American president. Since its publication it has received acclaim from literary figures including Twain and Gertrude Stein and from numerous modern American historians and political commentators from Eric Foner to Ta-Nehisi Coates. Charles L. Webster unknown