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PREFACE.

HE circumstances under which this work has been compiled are so apparent in the narrative, that it is hardly worth while for me to write a preface. But one or two facts may be of interest. It was not with any purpose of writing a book that I accompanied General Grant in his recent travels. That suggestion was made to me during the prog

ress of our journey.

It was my intention to have completed this narrative on my return to the United States. The fact, however, that various publishing concerns in this country-half a dozen, I should think-began at once, upon learning of the intention of the American News Company to print this book, to issue rival editions, based upon letters and dispatches of mine printed in the New York Herald, compelled my own publishers to print the early parts of the first volume before my return. The compilation and arrangement of seven of the chapters in the first volume devolved, under the circumstances, upon others, to whom I desire to express my thanks. I refer to Chapters XII., XIII., XIV., XVI., XVII., XVIII., and XXII. The substance of these chapters was embraced in the correspondence to the Herald-the arrangement of the book is that of Mr. C. R. Parsons. With this slight exception, the work, as it now goes to the reader, is entirely my own.

I have embodied, in various parts of this work, memoranda of certain conversations with General Grant concerning history and politics; also, in some instances—where it could be done without offending-conversations that took place between General Grant and some of the famous men whom he came to know. Wherever I have quoted General Grant, as expressing an opinion, I have asked his permission to do so; and, in fact, he has in most instances obliged me by revising the proof-sheets. This revision, however, applies only to those portions of the text where General Grant himself is quoted. For all the rest I alone am responsible.

I am also under many obligations to my old friend M. C. Hart, for having taken care of the proof-sheets of those parts of the work that appeared before my return to the United States. To James Gordon Bennett, the editor and proprietor of the New York Herald-under whose auspices the journey was made-I am indebted for permission to use, in the preparation of the work, the letters I wrote for the Herald. I have only partially taken advantage of his kindness, as a large part of what is now printed appears for the first time.

J. R. Y.

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