February 29
Robert E. Lee was a simple man. When the Civil War was over he was approached by an insurance company which offered him $50,000 for his endorsement. $50,000 was a gigantic sum of money in those days [ by way of comparison, it was twice Lincoln’s annual presidential salary], and when Lee enquired further into this unusual offer – more in keeping with the 20th or 21st than the 19th century – he was informed that he did not, in fact, have to do anything to earn that money beyond giving his endorsement. He turned the offer down precisely because it required nothing from him; a kind of unjustifiable gain after having done nothing to earn it.
Ulysses S. Grant was a simple man. When the Civil War was over he was offered a very fine, luxurious home free of charge by friends who assured him that they were acting on behalf of a nation grateful for his having been so instrumental in winning the war. Since, in his view, he had been so instrumental in having won the war he gratefully accepted the house.
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