[After giving up farming Grant engaged in the real estate business in
St. Louis, with a Mr. Boggs as partner. The girls referred to are his
three sisters. Simpson is the brother next in age to himself.]

St. Louis, Mo.,
March 12th, 1859.

DEAR FATHER:

It has now been over a month, I believe, since I wrote to you last,
although I expected to have written again the next week. I can hardly
tell how the new business I am engaged in, is going to succeed, but I
believe it will be something more than a support. If I find an
opportunity next week I will send you some of our cards, which, if you
will distribute among such persons as may have business to attend to
in the city, such as buying or selling property, collecting either
rents or other liabilities, it may prove the means of giving us
additional commissions. Mr. Benton was here for some time and used to
call in to see me frequently. Whilst he was here I submitted to him
some property for sale, belonging to a Mr. Tucker. Since Mr. Benton's
departure, Mr. Tucker has called several times and wants me to submit
his propositions again, and say that if he is disposed to buy, and pay
considerable cash, he will make his prices such as to secure to him a
good investment. I enclose with this a list of the property, and
prices, as first asked, one third cash, balance one and two years.
Please tell Mr. Benton if he feels like making any proposition for any
part of this property to let me know, and I will submit it and give
him an answer.