N. B. Sweitzer, the immediate successor of Colonel Hatch. Had Major Merrill been promoted he would soon have been retired, with the increased rank and pay of a Lieutenant-Colonel. As the case now stands, he will be retired as a Major, and the next Major below him, Maj. John K. Mizner, Fourth Cavalry, will receive the promotion.

The following is a portion of the correspondence in relation to purchasing a house for Mrs. General Hancock. Having been a member of Major-General Hancock's staff, I drew up a petition and called on Mr. W. W. Corcoran, one of the leading citizens, requesting a subscription in order to purchase a house in this city, knowing that he was a great friend of the General's. He stated that he had just sent $2000 to New York in order to purchase a house wherever the committee might select, but if I could induce Mrs. Hancock to make this her home he would head the list with $3000, and that I would be able to have the other $2000 he had subscribed already added to it. Hereupon he immediately signed the petition and put down the amount of his subscription as $3000. I then called on Mr. B. H. Warder, a substantial citizen, who subscribed $5000. Mr. H. G. Dulaney of Virginia, a very liberal and generous young gentleman, subscribed $2500, and Senator Fair $3000. Within ten days after starting the list I had $45,700 subscribed.

30 East Sixty-third St., New York City, March 12, 1886. Mr. G. A. Armes,

Washington, D. C.:

Dear Sir—I have yours of yesterday. I do not know that I can add anything to what I stated in my last letter concerning Mrs. Hancock's future. It is a matter in which I have no authority to speak, and, in fact, no information to speak from.

I know of no way in which the contribution made by Mr. Corcoran could be withdrawn from the fund of which it has become a part and which is in the custody of the treasurer.

Referring you to my last letter for points not touched in this, I am, yours truly, (Signed)

JAMES B. FRY.

March 2, 1886.

Had a large meeting of the Shellabarger Stock Car Co. last

evening at my office.

March 5, 1886. Closed a sale with Mr. Roesselle of the Arlington for Sixteenth street lot for $7150.

March 18, 1886.

Called on Father Dulan last evening, who agreed to give me a commission provided I could sell his villa on the Tennallytown road, which is offered for $25,000. Met Senator Sabin at the Holiday House at 10 o'clock this A. M. Senator Bowen introduced a bill for me today in regard to my cattle car.

March 19, 1886.

Senator McPherson authorized me to put his name down for $5000 to Hancock fund; also Mr. Galt for $500 and Senator Sabin for $1000. I lunched with the latter today.

March 30, 1886.

Called last evening on General Cutchen, Stilson Hutchins, Senator Fair and Judge Swett, who subscribed $1000 each. General Davies subscribed another $1000 for Mrs. Hancock's house, and Mr. French of New York $500. He talks some of purchasing a residence here.

March 31, 1886.

Colonel Bugher, Hon. Washington McLean's son-in-law, came to my office today to explain his reasons for not wishing to purchase property or have anything further to do with Mr. B. H. Warner, requesting me to show him a house he could purchase for from $20,000 to $30,000. I spent most of the afternoon showing him property.

April 4, 1886.

Called on Dr. and Mrs. Bispham and Senator McPherson last evening; also Judge and Mrs. Fields. He called at my office today in regard to Senator Jackson's house. Had a long talk with Mr. Patton in regard to real estate this afternoon.

April 15, 1886.

Secretary Sherman made me an offer of $20,000 cash for Judge Jackson's house, which was declined. I finally got Senator McPherson to add another thousand and closed the sale.

May 1, 1886. Sold four houses on Fifteenth street to Mr. Mills for $8000 cash. I saw General Logan, who offered me twelve and one-half cents for the building lots of Mr. Taylor on Meridian Hill. Mr. Taylor declined to take less than thirteen cents, and General Logan would not pay that, so the sale fell through.

May 8, 1886.

Attended the funeral of General Paul at 11.30. He was buried at Arlington; also attended the funeral of Lieutenant Hunt, the son of General Hunt of artillery fame, who was buried at Soldiers' Home at 5 o'clock P. M.

May 9, 1886.

Last evening called on Senator Sabin and Congressman Gay. The latter went out with me today at 11 o'clock, and we went by the Chittenden place on Pierce Mill road and Mr. Green's place, which he wanted $25,000 for. Mr. Gay told me to make an offer of $15,000 cash.

May 10, 1886.

After breakfast this A. M. I called on Mr. Green, making him the offer of $15,000 cash for Mr. Gay, which he declined. I then called on Mr. Lamont, President Cleveland's private secretary, giving him a description of the property, stating that the owner was anxious to sell, and recommended that he take the President to look at it.

May 13, 1886.

Mr. George Green came into my office today to see if I would give up my option on his property. I declined on the ground that I expected to make a sale of it within a short time, as I had mentioned it to several, among them Mr. Lamont, for President Cleveland.

May 14, 1886.

After spending a short time with Stilson Hutchins about the Hancock house matter, I met Mr. Samuel Maddox at the Ebbitt on business. During the day Mr. Green called at my office and offered $100 cash if I would give up my option on his place. Not wishing to deprive him of his sale and not having had a bona fide. offer, I accepted the $100 on condition that if any one of twelve names became the owner of it within the next thirty days I was to have my full commission, which he agreed to in the presence of witnesses and in writing.

May 17, 1886. Mrs. Bayliss gave me her I street house to sell at $23,000. Took Col. A. H. Bugher through it this afternoon, and he decided to take it at her price, paying me $200 down to bind the bargain.

May 18, 1886.

Yesterday afternoon, after calling on Stilson Hutchins, I drove out to see Oak View, George Green's place. I also went to see Mr. Nourse, who gave me fifteen acres of his land to sell at $9000.

May 19, 1886.

Having been informed today that the President had purchased Mr. Green's place through A. A. Wilson, I called on Mr. Green for a statement, but could get no satisfaction from him.

May 20, 1886.

Last evening met General Wagner of Texas, and was with him until after 12 o'clock. Called on Mr. Henly today and told him how Mr. Wilson was trying to get a commission out of Mr. Green for the selling of his land to Mr. Cleveland. Mr. Nourse called today to withdraw the option on the property he had given me to sell, and I declined, as there appears to be some underhanded work going on with Mr. Wilson and one or two others of his ring. The commission is still due me.

May 21, 1886.

Mr. Ellison called at my office this A. M., offering to sell me his twelve acres for $20,000. I offered him $10,000, which he declined, but said he would be back in the afternoon. Upon his second call he agreed to split the difference, and I finally closed the transaction for $15,000.

May 22, 1886.

After dinner last evening I took Mr. Chambers of the New York Herald on a drive out to the Green place, containing twenty-eight acres, which I have sold to the President for $21,500; also over to the place on the Grant road, which I have just bought from Mr. Ellison.

May 23, 1886. Spent last evening with Gen. Philip St. George Cook, my old Department Commander, at the Ebbitt House.

May 26, 1886.

General Berdan called on me today in regard to a house; also Mr. Ellison, who came with all the papers and deed for Fairfield,

After breakfast I invited Col. A. B. Mullet, Mr. Evans and Colonel Moore to drive out to Col. S. T. Suit's place. He entertained us in fine style, dining and wining us until late in the evening.

July 6, 1886.

Cumberland, Md., July 26, 1886.

Left Washington at 10.15 last evening on my way to Chicago. Our train was so heavily loaded with pasengers that it required three engines to pull us up the hill. Dined at the Grand Pacific Hotel, Chicago, at 4 o'clock P. M. Met Mr. Eastman and took Captain Grant, with eight others, from the depot in two carriages. We had a great reception this evening. There are 125 in our party, who clubbed together and chartered a train for thirty-five