Hitherto there had been no attempt made at organization. It was generally understood that Ralston, Lent, Roberts and myself owned three-quarters of the properties by virtue of money already advanced and to be advanced. For that there seemed to be ample security in the gems we held. The last invoice alone appeared to be security many times over for our cash outlays, to say nothing of the probable value of the diamond fields. So we prepared to get our affairs into business shape, without further delay, and for that purpose held a meeting at which all concerned were present. The plan of action was to follow these lines: First we were to send a large sample of the diamonds to Tiffany, of New York, then, as now, the greatest American authority on precious stones, and have them thoroughly examined and appraised. If their value were proved beyond peradventure, then Messrs. Ralston, Lent, Roberts, Dodge and myself were to choose a mining expert to whom Arnold and Slack agreed to exhibit the diamond fields and permit a full examination of the same. Nothing could possibly be fairer to all, and Arnold and Slack easily consented to these conditions, without a moment’s hesitation. On the favorable outcome of the valuation and the engineer’s report concerning the diamond deposits, we agreed to take care of the financial end. Not connected with any agreement with Arnold or Slack, was a plan to facilitate the passage of a law whereby a great territory of mining land could be taken up so as to insure to ourselves the entire field, no matter what the extent. The outline of a corporation was sketched, with a capital stock of $10,000,000 and the allotment of shares to each arranged and defined. These preliminaries being settled, we set out for New York without delay. In the party were William Lent, General Dodge, Rubery, Arnold, Slack and myself. It had been arranged beforehand in a general way that Mr. Lent should be president and myself general manager. We first retained Samuel Barlow, a leader of the New York bar, as general counsel. Mr. Barlow’s reputation as a sound business adviser was no less assured than his standing as a great trial lawyer. On his advice we added General B. F. Butler to our legal staff. I had some southern prejudice against Butler on account of the spoon story in New Orleans, but when I came to know the gentleman I found him to be very companionable and quite a social genius in his way. A side reason for employing General Butler was because he was a member of Congress and perhaps able to aid us materially in legislation needed to acquire the diamond fields, as later proved to be the case.