"DEAR GOV. HAMPTON,--I have just emerged from ten days of exceptional intensity of pressure in occupations, which at best were not light. During this time your letter of the 22d Jany. arrived. It does not seem to me more than two or three days since I first saw it, but my count of time may have been imperfect. "Certain I am that I take my first interval to acknowledge it and to reply. "One only of the newspaper publications which you mentioned had come under my observation; and that I had cursorily looked at rather than read. "It is enough to say that none of these criticisms has made the least impression on my mind unfavorable to your perfect good faith in your political actions or relations, or to my confidence in your friendly disposition toward me. You were quite right in thinking, as you say, that an explanation was unnecessary, though for great caution you have chosen to write to me on the subject. I have not only faith in you, but great admiration for your personal bearing under difficult and trying circumstances. I have no element of suspicion in my nature, and have looked on the recent contest in no selfish aspect, not even in that refined form which thinks of the honor of being associated with the right in so great a cause. And I appreciate the wrongs to which the people of your State have been subjected. "I beg, my dear sir, that you will excuse my great haste and believe me, Very truly your friend, "S. J. TILDEN." THOMAS COTTMAN TO S. J. TILDEN "343 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, _Feby. 22d, 1877_. "GOVR. SAML. J. TILDEN. "MY DEAR SIR,--Your card of this morning confirms my opinion that the defeat of the Democratic party is due measurably to the manipulation of inexperienced or overconfident directors. I hope you will insist on Chandler's exhibit, now they have made all possible mischief out of your account. There has been too much willingness on the part of the Democrats to compromise, and Senator Kernan to say the least of it has acted unwisely. Patrick Kennedy's[20] testimony fully substantiates my views in regard to Louisiana--Wells has been unskilfully handled. But there is no use in crying over spilt milk. [20] The testimony of Kennedy referred to by Mr. Cottman follows: WASHINGTON, February 21.--Patrick J. Kennedy, of Jefferson Parish, testified to-day to an interview with Governor Wells, in which the latter said that he thought he had done wrong in throwing out 1,100 votes in New Orleans and 1,400 votes in the Parish of East Baton Rouge. He also asked what guarantee Kennedy supposed would be given him if he so arranged the returns as to protect him and secure him his property and standing among the people of the State of Louisiana.