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i94 BETWEEN THE OCEAN AND THE LAKES
money to be made out of it; and, third, that you
will not seek to reduce the amount of my compensation
and that of my associates."
Barlow demurred to the second preliminary, " jokingly,*
During this time, and up to the 22cl of February,
Barlow must have been corresponding with London
he said (which was not the opinion of on his own responsibility, for he telegraphed O'Do­
O'Doherty), but finally agreed to all three. Then herty from Washington, D. C, on the latter day as
the plan they had formed of inducing the resignation follows:
of certain Directors, as stated in Lane's circular, was
revealed to Barlow.
London entirely confident of success. I am perfectly satisfied
we can arrange to your satisfaction. Will be home to­
He pondered over it a day or
so, and on the 19th concluded to take a hand in the morrow night.
Barlow.
negotiations. He answered McHenry's last dispatch
to O'Doherty as follows:
Then O'Doherty heard no more from London for
several days. He discovered, in the meantime, that
Have seen O'Doherty. Receivership, through action of the General Sickles had transferred his attention from
Board, impolitic, useless. Lease now equally so. In future
this may be arranged. What is offered is ten members of
Albany to New York, and that Crouch was suspiciously
the present Board named by you. Immediate withdrawal
active in Erie affairs. Both were evidently
of Gould's power. His resignation to be forced afterward.
on the ground
Lane's resignation given. Vastly important if money can be
by authority, and on March 3d,
raised. No payment until majority of Board elected by you. O'Doherty cabled these ominous words to McHenry:
Barlow.
Beware. Present plans will result in loss of money and
To this McHenry responded next day, the 20th :
disgraceful failure. Save yourself.
O'Doherty.
If McClellan is made President we may arrange it. Impossible
to negotiate, leaving Gould in. McHenry.
The cable was kept hot all the rest of the day as
follows :
Scheme entirely without knowledge of Gould. If McClellan
is put in his place, with Treasurer and majority of Board, can In his response to this O'Doherty was firm, but
money be put up at once, subject to payment when accomplished?
Barlow.
cautious :
Opinion unchanged. Choice of agent and present programme
ruinous. Cannot cable particulars. Addendum—Your last chance.
O'Doherty.
O'Doherty.
To this the response came:
Translate your telegram to mean Gould resign with nine
directors, and that we nominate ten, including President. On
this basis we are ready to act, butif not inconsistent with
your negotiations, would like to have Sickles's opinion.
AIcHenry.
The above message was addressed to Barlow, but
This seemed to be satisfactory to O'Doherty, and
it aroused O'Doherty, who answered it thus:
the events of the approaching crisis and its brilliant
I will not communicate, or allow of communication, with
climax were tersely recorded in the appended cable
Sickles. Day knows all.
O'Doherty.
bulletins of March 9th, 10th, nth, and 12th:
Da}', who "knew all," was Charles Da}-, who
expected to be in the new Erie Directory.
This
utterance from O'Doherty called for conciliation on
the part of McHenry, and he hastened to cable it in
these agreeable words:
I have too much regard for you to communicate directly, or
indirectly, with any one against your opinion. McHenry.
It did not seem to be exactly clear to the London
negotiator as to what O'Doherty meant, and he
cabled on the 4th as follows:
Further suggestions will be gladly received. AIcHenry.
McHenry pondered on this for three days, and
then cabled on the 8th:
Your advice much appreciated, but depend on you aiding
Sickles's campaign, for whose success I am responsible. I
arranged programme after serious survey of the whole field,
and will take care of your interests.
McHenry.
Board meeting is arranged for next Monday. By 1 o'clock
on that day you shall have your wish. All now depends on
how wisely you use your victor}'.
O'Doherty.
Thanks for your dispatch. You may depend on our appreciation
of such momentous events.
McHenry.