'violated pledges.' I expressed great doubts whether its contents had not been exaggerated, and when he said he had not seen it, and it was not intended for him, advised him to get it and read it. The warmth of these communications I vindicated as true representations of public feeling, expressed in honest freedom; though this part of the subject came up when the interview was forced to a close, and I could not do full justice. Some explanations, which it was not prudent to make in the danger of exoneration, I have since made to his intimates with kindness but clearness and coldness, and shall to him if circumstances solicit. Am not I a lucky fellow? Soothed all day by the fiery Southerns, and then sitting quietly, as in a summer shower, when the storm is beating fiercely on those imprudent young men, Butler, Dix, O'Sullivan--even, while refreshing myself, putting up my umbrella to protect them! I only _talked_ treason. "He felt deeply the warm letter of his old friend Hoffman--an honest man. He would swear by him, live by him, die by him. I added Mr. H. was a true-hearted man--he was the last man almost from whom I parted; I had a long conversation with him. He fully concurred in the indispensable necessity of removing Van Ness--in the earnest and strong convictions expressed by the others on that subject. The Pr. replied not. I think it was he that told me, and then that there had been letters saying that Hoffman would make his own acceptance conditional on V. N.'s removal. No, it was Cave Johnson afterwards. "The President expressed great sorrow that he could not see Silas Wright for an hour and have his advice. As to what, I did not certainly understand." JOHN A. DIX TO TILDEN "_Private._ EAST HAMPTON, _June 21, 1845_. "MY DEAR SIR,--I wrote to you some time ago in relation to the N. Y. collectorship. Since then the matter has been disposed of; but in such a way that I naturally feel a curiosity to know, as far as it is proper that I should, the ground taken by the President in declining to appoint Mr. Coddington. I have seen a letter designed as a justification of the Cabinet in the matter; but there is no allusion in it to assurances given to others as well as myself that the appointment would be made in accordance with the wishes of Mr. Wright and his friends. "My letter, I presume, reached you; but as I have heard nothing from you in relation to your visit to Washington, it has occurred to me that there might have been some mistake about it. I am, Dr. Sir, Yours truly, "JOHN A. DIX." TILDEN TO HON. CHARLES P. BROWN "NEW YORK, _October 13, 1845_. "HON. CHARLES P. BROWN.