by said contract in
paragraph 5.

"Very respectfully,
"John Sherman, Secretary."

No further action was taken by the committee on banking and currency.
Subsequently I wrote Mr. Ewing the following letter:

"May 21, 1878.
"Dear Sir:--I notice the crazy barkings of Buell in the 'Post'
about the syndicate, and favors granted to it by me.

"I wish to say to you that nothing would please me better than to
have the banking and currency committee examine into this matter,
and I am quite sure you will be gratified that the result will be
to my credit.

"I have no desire to dignify this by asking an investigation, but
only to say to you privately, as a personal friend, that I court,
rather than fear, such an inquiry.

"Very truly yours,
"John Sherman.
"Hon. Thomas Ewing, House of Representatives."

It was at this time that it was alleged that Mr. Tappan, a New York
bank president, said that he would pay $50,000 to stand at the head
of the line when the government began to pay out gold; that he
could put in $29,000,000 United States notes held by the New York
banks and break the government and take out all the gold. It was
said that Mr. Coe, a prominent banker in New York, was asked his
opinion whether I could resume, and that he said: "Well, yes, I
would let the government resume, but it must sell a certain number
of bonds to the banks at such a figure." Sensational reports were
sent out from Washington to discredit the contract lately made with
the syndicate. It was reported that the terms were concealed, that
only ten millions were contracted for, part of which it might be
necessary to take back, and that the banking and currency committee
had summoned me to explain the contract. So far from being true
the contract itself was printed in all the papers and the utmost
publicity was given to every step taken.

I had a very friendly acquaintance with Peter Cooper, for whom I
had the highest respect, but he had fallen into the general ideas
of the greenbackers. When in New York, early in April, I called
upon him and had a pleasant interview. Soon after I received from
him the following letter:

"New York, April 18, 1878.
"Hon. John Sherman, Secretary of the Treasury.

"Dear Sir:--In the brief interview which you did me the honor to
give me at my house a few days ago, I was impressed with your desire
to give all the information that would throw light upon the financial
policy of the government,