Ulysses S. Grant Letter Signed. Two pages, 5" x 8", Mt. McGregor [New York]; July 15, 1885. In 1884, following a complaint of soreness in his throat, former president Ulysses S. Grant, a heavy smoker, discovered he had throat cancer. As his illness worsened, he was convinced to write his memoirs in an effort to provide financial stability to his family. Grant retired to a cottage on the slopes of Mt. McGregor and it was from this cabin, just eight days before his death, he dictated this letter to the editor of Century Magazine, asking for omissions in certain articles, in full: "My illness having prevented me from elaborating for any 'Memoirs' the articles I have sent you on the campaign and siege of Vicksburg, and the battles about Chattanooga, I will be obliged if you will consent to the omission from those articles, First: the detailed account of the campaign of Vicksburg, and Second: that part of the Chattanooga article which my son, Colonel Grant, will show you (and which has no special bearing upon the battles of Chattanooga), substituting in their places the resumé preceding the siege of Vicksburg that I have sent you, in place of the omitted part of the Chattanooga battles. This need not interfere with your publication in the collected volumes of your War Series of the entire articles." Signed, "U. S. Grant." Accompanied by an engraved print of Grant measuring 8.25" x 11". Condition: Binding remnants are found along the left edge of the first page, which also shows minor loss of paper. Both pages show mat burning along the edges. Smoothed folds. HID03101062020 © 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved