"I send Mr. Pierce to see you because I think he can put a great number of travelling merchants and tradesmen at work. They go into any part of the State and can learn what is going on. While the regular State committee should do its work, you should have in your own hands and under your own direct _private_ control agencies which will cover the ground outside of the old political machinery. If the other side do not hold meetings we should not, at the outset. There are many leading Repub'c's who do not wish to go to work in the harness if they can keep out of the canvass. "I am, truly yours, &c., "HORATIO SEYMOUR." CHARLES O'CONOR TO TILDEN "_Sept. 29, 1874._ "DEAR SIR,--I wrote Miller a short note [of] congratulation. The reply recd. last evening is herewith. Can you watch the progress of things and summon me '_to the front_' when the apprehended movement is made in the association? I will cheerfully go to the meeting and oppose it. "I cannot doubt but that an effort will be made to move the lawyers in Johnson's favor. If it be done a counter-movement to stir the reformers against him may be needful, or at least expedient. "It will hardly be possible to keep the swindler issue out of the campaign. "In a note from Frank Barlow, recd. yesterday, a decided opinion is expressed that Delafield Smith means to quash the Ring prosecutions. "It really seems to me that things are ripe for a pounce upon him and the offending majority. "I have written Miller to print what he pleases, but not to use my name. If it should become necessary to make the pounce just above suggested my name should appear there for the first time. Or at least it should not be worn out in previous skirmishes. "I was in town yesterday and tried to see Jno. McKeon, but failed. I would go again to-day but for two reasons: first, it rains, and, secondly, the hope of controlling him in anything by friendly advice is always so slight that little inconvenience should ever be suffered for the sake of offering it. "Y'rs, "CH. O'CONOR." GOVERNOR TILDEN TO WILLIAM PURCELL "_Dec. 8, '74._ "DEAR MR. PURCELL,--Will you accept a place on my staff, with the rank of Brigadier-Gen., with nominal duties and without pay, as indeed are all the offices, except the strictly military ones? This offer will not interfere with the gentleman whom you recommended, for the reasons that the consideration I mentioned to you will dictate my looking for a new man in your part of the State." WILLIAM PURCELL (DECLINING STAFF APPOINTMENT) "OFFICE OF THE 'DAILY UNION AND ADVERTISER,' "ROCHESTER, _Dec. 10, 1874_.