KEPORT OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY. 11 



Mr. Vanderbilt in 1885, and a copy of his letter to the President of the 

 United States transmitting the deed of trust is here given : 



640 Fifth Avenue, January 20, 1885. 

 Dear Sir : I purchased the articles of historical interest belonging to General Grant 

 and gave them to Mrs, Grant in trust, to hold dining the life-time of the general, and 

 at his death, or sooner, at her option, they to become the property of the Government. 

 They consist of his swords, memorials of his victories, from the United States and 

 cities, and tributes to his fame and achievements from Governments all over the world. 

 In their proper place at Washington they will always be secure, and will afford pleas- 

 ure aud instruction to succeeding generations. This trust has been accepted by Mrs. 

 Grant, and the disposition of the articles is in conformity with the wishes of the gen- 

 eral. I transmit to you herewith the deed of trust. Mrs. Grant informs me that she 

 prefers to close the trust at once and send the memorials to Washington. May I ask, 

 therefore, that you will designate some official representing the proper department to 

 receive them, and direct him to notify Mrs. Grant of the arrangements necessary to 

 perfect the transfer and deposit in such of the Government buildings as may be most 

 suitable? 



Yours, respectfully, 



W. H. Vanderbilt. 

 His Excellency Chester A. Arthur, 



President of the United States. 



The matter was formally brought to the attention of Congress by the 

 President of the United States in a message dated February 3, 1885, a 

 copy of which follows: 



To the House of Bepresentatives : 



I take especial pleasure in laying before Congress the generous offer made by Mrs. 

 Grant to give to the Government, in perpetual trust, the swords and military and 

 civil testimonials lately belonging to General Grant. A copy of the deed of trust, and 

 of a letter addressed to me by Mr. W. H. Vanderbilt, which I transmit herewith, will 

 explain the nature aud motives of this offer. 



Appreciation of General Grant's achievements and recognition of his just fame have 

 in part taken the shape of numerous mementoes and gifts which, while dear to him, 

 possess for the nation an. exceptional interest. These relics, of great historical value, 

 have passed into the hands of another, whose considerate action has restored the col- 

 lection to Mrs. Grant as a life trust, on the condition that at the death of General 

 Grant, or sooner, at Mrs. Grant's option, it should become the property of the Govern- 

 ment. * * * In the exercise of the option thus given her Mis. Grant elects that 

 the trust shall forthwith determine, and asks that the Government designate a suit- 

 able place of deposit and a responsible custodian for the collection. 



The nature of this gift and the value of the relics which the generosity of a private 

 citizen, joined to the high sense of public regard which animates Mrs. Grant, has 

 thus placed at the disposal of the Government, demand full and signal recognition 

 on behalf of the nation at the hands of its representatives. I therefore ask Congress 

 to take suitable action to accept the trust and to provide for its custody, at the same 

 time recording the appreciative gratitude of the people of the United States to the 



donors. * * * 



Chester A. Arthur. 

 Executive Mansion, February 3, 1885. 



In the mean time the collection was placed in charge of the War 

 Department until definite action had been taken by Congress, aud on 

 August 5, 1886, the following resolution was adopted and became a law : 



Whereas Julia Dent Grant and William H. Vanderbilt, by deed of trust executed 

 on the tenth day of January, eighteen hundred and eighty-live, presented to the 



