"I am passing the winter at a country home perched upon a cliff overhanging the Hudson four hundred feet above the tide. I send you a picture of the place. "With best regards for yourself and Mrs. Bancroft, "I remain, very truly yours, "S. J. TILDEN. "P. S.--Since writing you, I have received the _Evening Post_ of this afternoon. It is a 'Mugwump' journal. I send a cutting from its editorial columns upon your _Plea_." HIRAM SIBLEY TO TILDEN "ROCHESTER, N. Y., _Feb. 6", 1886_. "HON. SAMUEL J. TILDEN. "MY DEAR FRIEND,--This is _my_ birthday, and, as I remember, _yours_. I see in the papers they say you were born on the 9th of Feb. But I dare not place much reliance on what some newspapers say of you. "Seventy-nine is not eighty. Eighty is considered _old_. While it is unsafe for us at this age to make plans for the future, we may contemplate the past, and that is what I am doing to-day. "Among those who took active part in the _Free-soil_ movement of 1848, you were an able leader. Your associates, _Wright_, _Gardner_, _Van Buren_, and many others from whom I took counsel, are gone. You among the larger, myself among the less important of that band of noble patriots, are left to enjoy the consolation of doing what we could at that early day to check the growth and extension of slavery. "The _present_ I regard with fear and apprehension, and I have recently written to, and received an answer from, our _inaugurated_ President, whose administration I heartily approve, and I now address the _uninaugurated_ President to say one word of approval to him also. "You should encourage, by word and deed, our President to hold fast to the pledges in the Democratic platform, to _Civil Service_ especially. "The times are trying the metal of our President. The army on whom the people rely for defence are greatly demoralized. "The _veterans_ are nearly all _dead_, the _regulars_ are _skirmishing_ for votes, and recruits are _few_. "Pardon me for this rambling letter. Don't trouble yourself to answer me. "The times, the time (Feb. 6"), all conspired to move me to write you. "May you live to see many a birthday, as I hope to. "With great respect, I am, "Your friend and obt. svt., "HIRAM SIBLEY." TILDEN TO JOHN F. SEYMOUR "_Telegram._ "GREYSTONE, _Feb. 13, 1886_. "HON. JOHN F. SEYMOUR,--I learn this morning the sorrowful intelligence that the mortal career of your illustrious brother is closed. Convey to his relatives, and when a suitable occasion arises, to Mrs. Seymour, my warm sympathies at their loss. We have the consolation of knowing that he passed away without suffering, in the fulness of years, and amid the largest homage of public esteem. "S. J. TILDEN." GEORGE BANCROFT TO TILDEN "1623 H STREET, "WASHINGTON, D. C., _February 15th, 1886_.