TO GUSTAV SCHWAB
| 45 East 68th St., New York, | |
| March 21, 1884.[1] |
My dear Mr. Schwab: I saw the Tribune only late this afternoon, and found in it a statement that some of my friends were engaged in raising a fund of $100,000 to be presented to me. Upon further inquiry I learned that you are the treasurer of a committee organized for that purpose, and that a very considerable part of the sum named is already available. Let me confess to you that this matter is very embarrassing to me, not as though I were in doubt as to the general line of conduct to follow, but because I should be exceedingly sorry, in obeying my impulse, to do anything that might in the least be liable to be interpreted as a want of appreciation on my part of the generous motives of my friends who prepared this valuable surprise for me. Let me assure you that I esteem it a great honor to have such friends, and that I am proud of being thought by them deserving of such rewards. Nobody can appreciate this more than I do. At the same time I feel as if, while I am able to work, I could not accept such sums of money without giving a proper equivalent for them. This may be a mere matter
- ↑ The original was in German. Probably the translation that was soon printed in the New York newspapers, to explain the status to the contributors, was made by Mr. Schurz.
which it was an answer. A few days later it was returned with the following note from General Sherman:
“Dear General: The similarity of names resulted in the carrier delivering this letter. I don't know such a person as W. G. S——, and as his name is not in the directory, I think it best to send back the letter, with the opinion that if such a person exists he is hardly worth your time or notice.
