Millikin’s Bend La.
April 20th 1863.
Dear Julia,
I want you to go to St. Louis and stay there until you get the deed from your brother John for the 60 acres of land where our house is, and have it recorded. Also get the deed for 40 acres where your brother Lew’s, house is and have it recorded. Be shure and have this done right. Then lease out the farm to some good and prompt tenant, for five years, giving them the privilege of taking off every stick of timber and puting the whole place in cultivation. Bind them to take care of the house, fences and fruit trees. Place Bass Sappington or Pardee in charge to collect the rent and when all is done say to your father that the house is for his use as long as he wants it and the rents are to go to him for the other place.
If John Dent wants to go to Calafornia you may offer him $1600 for 40 acres adjoining the 60 acres. If he desires this have this deed recorded also before you leave. I want it distinctly understood however that I do not desire this trade and only make the offer to enable him to go and look after other property he has. If it was not that I am poor and have not a dollar except my savings in the last two years I would not hesitate to furnish him all the necessary money without any other guarantee than the conciousnous that I had done him a favor.
In case you make this trade it will be necessary for you to go to Galena to get the money. You can explain to Orvil that I have purchased property and paid $3000 on it and have to pay $1600 more. You can settle the difference they make out against me at the store but try and have Lank. who kept the books, to make up the account. Ask Orvil how brother Simps estate was settled. Inform him that I should never have mentioned it in the world but some of them are seting so much higher merit upon money than any other earthly consideration that I feel it a duty to protect myself. If you go to Galena be patient and even tempered. Do not expose yourself to any misconstruction from a hasty remark. Be firm however. Give up no notes except what you get cashed unless they pay the whole with the interest accrued. In that case you can allow them for what they say I owe with the same interest upon the debt they pay you. Should you however get but a part of the money give only the notes they pay. Tell Orvil that on final settlement I will allow the same interest that I receive. So long as they hold money of mine they need not be afraid to trust me.
This business all settled you can visit any of your friends until you hear that I am in Vicksburg when you can join me as soon as possible. Try and engage a Governess to teach the children, one who speaks German if possible. Do not make a possitive bargain however until you write to me.
U. S. GRANT