"MY DEAR SIR,--I send some specimens from various locations in Lake Superior country on which I desire information and your judgment. "No. 1. Hematite is claimed to give 61 1/3 per cent. of iron. They call it granular hematite. I should like to know whether it will produce so much in order to judge whether it will bear very distant transportation. I should like your judgment of it in all respects. "2 and 3 are of the same general character. "_Next._ I want to know whether No. 6 has any admixtures which may affect its value in working. It is called specular and slate iron. "_Next._ I want to know about No. 4. The analysis given me is 41.885 metallic. "31. ox iron manganese. "It is called massive hematite pyrotistic. "I should like to know about its working character and its availability. "5, I believe, is similar. 7 and 8 are specimens of slate iron. "8 claims to be 43 per cent. "7 claims to be 57 per cent., with traces of manganese. It feels too light. I should like a test of it. "I should be glad of your ideas on the subject at as early a day as practicable. Send me results as they can be obtained without waiting to complete all. "Truly, "S. J. TILDEN." "_Mr. Kent._" C. EAMES[40] TO TILDEN "_Thursday 10th, 1/2 past 11_, "_May 10, '64_. "MY DEAR TILDEN,--I want you, _as a very great favor_ to Mrs. Eames and myself, to give me your time from _1/2 past two to-morrow, sharp_, at which _moment_ I will be here to take you up to 84th St. to look at some lots and houses, and see how they can be divided in four equal or nearly equal parts and values--differences of value to be settled by payment or receipt of money--so that division of same among the co-heirs may take place by agreement without the fuss of partition suit. Your help in this will have a great weight of authority with us all and will carry the thing through. Fanny has set her heart upon it. Please do not refuse. I fix day and hour so sharp because I _must_ go back to Washington Thursday, and am told _not_ to come till this is done. The brothers will go with us to look at the property. "Yours very truly, "C. EAMES." "Thursday 10th, 1/2 past 11. "_May 10/64._" J. VAN BUREN TO TILDEN "39 NASSAU, N. Y., _May 20th, 1864_. "MY DEAR TILDEN,--I have had no opportunity to inquire about the Kaska William Coal Co. stock, but have such confidence in your knowledge and judgment that I will take of you the 200 shares at $4250, and feel obliged by your letting me have them. "Please let me know when you require the money. "Take care of your health, and believe me, "Truly y'rs, "J. VAN BUREN." "_Mr. Tilden._" GENERAL J. S. WHITNEY TO TILDEN