Transcript:
Nashville Ten.
Feb. 20th 1864
Dear Father,
I have received your letter and those accompanying; to wit. Mr. Newton’s and I. N. Morris’. I may write to Mr. Newton but it will be differently from what he expects. I am not a candidate for any office. All I want is to be left alone to fight this war out, fight all rebel rebel opposition and restore a happy union, in the shortest possible time. You know, or ought to know, that the publick prints are not the proper mediums through which to let a personal feeling pass. I know that I feel that nothing personal to myself could ever induce me to accept a political office.
From your letter you seem to have taken an active feeling, to say the least, in this matter that I would like to talk to you about. I could write but do not want to do so. Why not come down here and see me?
I did tell Julia to make a visit to Cincinnati, Batavia, Bethel and Georgetown.
Ulysses,
Citation: Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885), autograph letter signed to Jesse Root Grant. Nashville, 20 February 1864. AMs 357/16