"Now, my dear sir, it is in just this matter that I regret to lose your co-operation. _You_, if present as a delegate or as an outsider, could help largely in the selection of members from all parts of the state. For this city--if the bar were to control as it now stands--they would unite on Rappallo, but whether he can get any political support or not remains to be seen. He has been one of Vanderbilt's counsel, but I have often put him with you when I have said that, with the best quality of men, that consideration could be wholly disregarded. "Can you extricate yourself from the embarrassments to which you allude--or be neutral on that case--and come and help as to others? "Remember that for your time as well as mine this occasion is not likely to recur. "I sat down to say this, and must beg you to excuse me for the long letter I have poured out upon you. "Very Truly, "Yours, &c., "S. J. TILDEN." "I have omitted to speak of Church. If he becomes a candidate, as is probable, though not decided, he will be a strong one before the convention." TILDEN TO GEORGE W. CASS (JAY GOULD'S RETAINER) "NEW YORK, _June 2d, 1870_. "MY DEAR SIR,--You will recollect that some time ago I requested you to give me a statement in respect to the circumstances attending an arrangement communicated to me by you in the winter of 1869, by which the Erie Railway Company paid me a retainer of $10,000 in connection with the Cleveland and Pittsburg Railroad Company, a majority of the stock of which was then owned by the Erie Railway Company. You deferred it, in consequence of the pressure upon time. I should now like to have you furnish me the statement.