I am in excellent health but would enjoy a little respite from duty wonderfully.  I hope it will come soon.

My kindest regards to all at home.  I shall expect to make you a visit the coming summer.

Yours truly,

ULYSSES.

[On the 7th of January, 1865, a number of the principal citizens of Philadelphia presented General Grant with a house.]

HEAD-QUARTERS ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES

Washington, D.C.,
May 6th, 1865.

>DEAR FATHER: 

I have ordered a sixty days’ furlough for Samuel A. He can be discharged at any time after his return home.  It will take probably three weeks for my directions to reach him and for him to return.

I have just returned from Philadelphia leaving Mr. Cramer there.  He can describe our new house to you when he returns.  My health is good but I find so much to do that I can scarcely keep up with public business, let alone answering all the private letters I receive.  My going to Philadelphia and spending half my time there as I hope to do, will give me some leisure.  I attend to public business there by telegraph and avoid numerous calls taking up much time, or hope to do so.

My kind regards to all at home.  I hope to hear of Mother’s entire recovery soon.

ULYSSES.

HEAD-QUARTERS ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES

Washington, D.C.,
Feby. 10th, 1868.

DEAR FATHER: 

The memorandums you left with me relative to bounty due two needy persons in Covington I attended to soon after you left here.  The answer of the Paymaster General was that under no circumstances could he take up claims for bounty out of turn; therefore, it was not satisfactory to you.  I neglected to answer at the time and the matter escaped my memory until now.

I spoke to Secretary McCulloch about giving Mrs. Porter a clerkship in the Treasury and he promised me he would do it, but has not yet.  Now, I fancy, I would not have much influence, and if I had, would be very careful about using it.

The family are well and send much love to Mother, Jennie and yourself.

Yours truly,

U.S.  GRANT.

[March 4, 1869, General Grant was inaugurated President of the United States.

Written to his sister Virginia, Mrs. A.R.  Corbin.]

Long Branch, N.J.,
Aug. 21st, 1870.

DEAR SISTER: 

By arrangement of a year’s standing Julia and I go to Newport on
Tuesday morning next, to be gone there, and at West Point, one week.

But for that we would visit you and Mother this week.  I shall go next week however and if Julia is not too much fatigued, or too lazy, with her travelling will take her along.  You know I never give any one credit with being fatigued; I always attribute the feeling to another cause.—­I hope you are all well.  Give my kindest regards to Mother and Mr. Corbin.