"DEAR MR. BLAIR,--If I seem slow in replying to your letter of the 10th inst., you must ascribe it to the difficulties presented by its chirography which have not been surmounted until this morning. As your productions always repay a real perusal, a third and successful attempt to read that letter was persisted in. "In this connection I must tell you a story. Mr. Cambreling wrote Mr. Van Buren a long and argumentative letter in favor of the annexation of Texas while the latter was preparing his letter upon that subject. It was written in an ink which stuck the pages together, and Van Buren was foiled or gave up in the attempt to decipher it. I have a vague impression that he afterwards thought that letter might have modified his own view. Possibly it might have changed the course of events. "Mr. Smith has brought up some photographs of three sorts. I send herewith three of each kind. "If a man can afford the slightest pleasure to friends who have been so partial, so kind, and so faithful by a photograph, it is a real delight to comply with their wishes. "I have not yet gone down to the city for the winter, and probably shall not until next week. "My health is gradually improving, and I intend to persevere in living a purely physical life, alternating between out-of-door exercise and rest until the experiment shall have been fairly and fully tried. "With best regards to Mrs. Blair, and to the other members of your family, "I remain, very truly yours, "(S'g'd) S. J. TILDEN. "I return Mr. Fox's letter." JOHN C. THOMPSON TO TILDEN "BOSTON, MASS., _Dec. 25, '80_. "DEAR SIR,--The night before Mr. James F. Starbuck, of Watertown, New York, deceased, he completed an article intended for the Albany _Argus_ entitled 'Political Cowardice,' a copy of which (the original being retained by his family) I am requested by his daughter, Miss May Starbuck, to place in your hands, with the request that if upon perusal you recognize the power and logic of the intellect that penned the article, you will please forward the same to the Albany _Argus_ for publication. "I am the son-in-law of Mr. Starbuck. Will you do me the honor to acknowledge receipt of this and oblige, with great respect, "Your obt. servant, "JOHN C. THOMPSON." JAMES F. STARBUCK TO TILDEN ("POLITICAL COWARDICE") "The following facts are instructive: In 1876 Tilden majority was 32,818 In 1879 Robinson's vote was 375,790 and Kelly's vote was 77,566 ------- Total Dem. Vote in 1879 453,356 Cornell's Vote was 418,567 ------- Democratic Majority 34,789 But the votes for Cornell being 418,567 and Robinson's Vote 375,790 ------- gives Cornell his plurality of 42,777