"During the past eight years my memory and health have been impaired by a sunstroke. "I am obliged to live in a quiet way at my farm; all excitements are hurtful. I have not been away from home, save to make a short journey to see one of my sisters in Madison County. I know but little about current events. I think over the past or speculate about the future. "Now and then a reporter calls. As my views upon public [sic] are vague and vaguely expressed, they give such interpretation as they wish, so that I am frequently surprised by my opinions as they are given in the press. "I wish I could visit New York again, but I fear I am too weak to do so. With my wishes for your health and welfare, "I am, truly yours, "HORATIO SEYMOUR. "_Hon. S. J. Tilden._" GEORGE BANCROFT TO TILDEN "NEWPORT, ON THE WING FOR WASHINGTON, D. C., "_18 Oct., '85_. "MY DEAR MR. TILDEN,--I thank you very much for the volumes of your writings, which you have been thoughtful enough of me to send me. I am one of those who have always held and constantly avowed the opinion that you were duly elected President of the United States; it would be instructive if some one well versed in our public law would look through the laws enacted in the period for which you were chosen, and mark such of them as would have encountered your veto. That should be done while you live to confirm the result of the inquiry. "I remain, dear Mr. Tilden, "Yours very truly, "GEO. BANCROFT." S. J. TILDEN TO BANCROFT "GREYSTONE, YONKERS, N. Y., _Oct. 21, '85_. "DEAR MR. BANCROFT,--I have received, through Mr. Bigelow, your note acknowledging a copy of my _Writings and Speeches_ edited by him. "I observe that in your note to him, you mention that the copy sent you does not contain my autograph. "If the idea that you would desire it had occurred to me, I should have been particular to add every homage of esteem and regard for you in my power. "Very truly yours, "S. J. TILDEN." TILDEN TO PRESIDENT CLEVELAND "GREYSTONE, YONKERS, NEW YORK, _Oct. 21, '85_. "To His Excellency, GROVER CLEVELAND. "MY DEAR SIR,--Mr. D. A. McKnight, the law clerk in the Patent Office, is the author of a book of great ability entitled _The Electoral System of the United States_. "Without adopting all of his views, his independence, integrity, and conscientiousness are shown by the fact that his masterly analysis of the doings of the electoral commission, in which he exposes the inconsistencies of their decisions, and condemns them as illegal and unconstitutional, was published in a volume printed in 1878, with a preface dated March 10, 1877. At that time Mr. McKnight was holding his present office under the administration of Mr. Hayes. "I understand that his resignation has recently been requested, in order to give the appointment to some other person.