"3. Asking for a test of the constitutionality of the measure. "It will do no good, except making up a record. I look for nothing but hostility, but I shall do my duty, and demand my rights, and let consequences take care of themselves. I feel no uneasiness. "Truly y'rs, &c., "HORATIO SEYMOUR." "_Hon. S. J. Tilden._" J. VAN BUREN TO TILDEN "_Private._ "LINDENWALD, _Sept. 4th, 1863_. "MY DEAR TILDEN,--My father left to the col's son Martin a bust of himself by Powers; Smith and I have ordered two copies, or as they are to be executed by Powers, they will in effect be originals. The cost will be about $500; something under. They should arrive in October or November. The value of a bust by Powers as a work of art exceeds the sum named. It would be more convenient for me, I am sorry to say, not to take this bust, and I know nobody to whom I would offer it except yourself, or who would prize it so highly. Please drop me a line to let me know if it would be agreeable to you to take it. I need hardly add that this is a confidential matter between us. "What have you been doing this summer, and why have you not looked in upon me? Thanks to a good farmer, I am promised fair crops and, thanks to the war, they should command fair prices; but I find I have upon my hands an establishment very much beyond the strength of Anna and myself, and so distant from my office as to cut me off from my profession. I shall be obliged, therefore, to change my arrangements. "I was glad to see you helped the Tammany Democrats to keep the 4th of July, and trust you united in the sound war spirit that seemed to animate their proceedings. We hope to be back in 4th Ave. by or before the 1st. Novr., and shall be glad to see you there if you do not look in on us here before. "Truly y'rs, "J. VAN BUREN."[39] "LINDENWALD, _Sept. 4th, 1863_." HIRAM KETCHUM TO TILDEN "29 WILLIAM ST., _Sept. 9, 1863_. "MY DEAR SIR,--I spent some time last evg. with Mr. Reverdy Johnson at the 5th Avenue Hotel, where he will remain two or three days. He would be gratified to see you. The object which he seeks to accomplish--the continuance of the _Nat. Intelligencer_ until after the close of the next Presidential election--is one, in my judgment, of great importance. Should that paper be permitted to go down there will be a very large number of respectable and influential persons in this country left as sheep without a shepherd. They will have lost the leader which they have been accustomed to follow, and whose voice they know, for many years. "I pray you put forth vigorous and prompt efforts to prevent such a result. I like the views you are reported to have expressed the other day, of uniting _all the opposition to the present administration_ in selecting our candidates for the next Presidency.