"N. Y., _May 19, '60_, EVENING."
"MY DEAR SIR,--Your letter inviting me to act as a vice-president of a
meeting to be held at the Cooper Inst. was recd. yesterday, but I was
so busy in a trial that I had no chance to answer it earlier.
"Having elected a delegation in which we have confidence, it is
contrary to my personal disposition towards them, as well as to my
notions of what is most conducive to their power and usefulness in
their conference with the other representatives of the Democracy of
the Union, to interfere by any public meeting before they shall have
completed their trust. Without questioning the judgment of those who
think differently, I must decline your invitation.
"Very respectfully,
"Your friend,
S. J. TILDEN."
_"Hon. John Clancy._