"I regret the narrow limits to which a letter confines the interchange of sentiments between us, but I need hardly assure you that I shall always be happy to hear from you, and that your counsel, whenever you are disposed to favor me with it, will not be wasted upon me. "With high esteem, I remain, "Very truly yours, "(Signed) S. J. TILDEN. "_Hon. John A. McClernand, Springfield, Illinois._" THEODORE P. COOK TO S. J. TILDEN "UTICA, _April 6th, 1880_. "MY DEAR MR. TILDEN,--The Seymour movement is assuming a shape which must draw from him, in a few days, a more positive declination than he has yet made--unless he is really looking for a nomination, and I am positive that he is not. I think he talks with me more, and more plainly, than he does with anybody else. The misunderstanding of his position (which perhaps you share) grows partly out of the talk of his family and friends, and partly out of the impression that he leaves on the minds of those with whom he talks, that he is not particularly friendly to you. He is fully and firmly resolved to go out of public life and remain out. But he would like to take his contemporaries out with him. That is all there is to his opposition. I have made a careful study of this matter, and I am very confident that I am not mistaken in my conclusions. A few days, however, will show. Our district convention will probably adopt a resolution urging Governor Seymour for President. A letter from him, defining his position, will then be in order. The _Observer_ is floating in the local current, hopeful of directing it when the time comes. Mr. Spriggs will probably go to the State convention. He is with us, as you know. Mr. Grannis, of the State committee, and Mr. Birt, of Bridgewater, are talked of for the other two places. Of these three, Spriggs will be the controlling spirit. "Faithfully yours, "THEO. P. COOK." BENJAMIN H. HILL TO TILDEN "_Private._ "UNITED STATES SENATE CHAMBER, "WASHINGTON, _April 12th, 1880_. "HON. S. J. TILDEN, NEW YORK. "SIR,--I have not the pleasure of knowing you personally. I have never sought to make myself consequential in your estimation, nor have I annoyed you with visits or opinions. I am no politician, nor given to tricks nor to pretentiousness. Without asking your pardon for doing so, I take the responsibility of writing this letter.