"HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY CORPS,
"FORT MONROE, VA., _7 Sept., 1862_.
"_My dear Sir_,--Your letter by some mischance got among those
intended to go by flag of truce to Richmond, and I only received it the
day before yesterday. Yesterday I wrote to Judge Pierrepont, saying
that I cannot relinquish my position in the field. There is only one
condition (and that an impossible one)--a call from the people of New
York on me to be their Chief Magistrate for the purpose of carrying,
if possible, greater vigor into the conduct of the war. I say this is
impossible, because I see clearly that the Republicans will not relax
their hold on anything they possess, and that the Democrats are taking
the field under their old and everlasting office-seekers. I see no good
to the country from such a contest, and I cannot go into it.
"Sincerely yours,
"JOHN A. DIX."
"_Saml. J. Tilden, Esq._
"Consider this confidential."