(ENCLOSING MR. VAN BUREN'S CHECK FOR $200)
"_Private._
"NEW YORK, _Dec. 3, 1867_.
"MY DEAR SIR,--Take a cool, philosophical view of this note, but
believe every word of it.
"It is very hard for me to do an ungracious thing, and few things are
more ungracious than to reject kindness. I have carried the enclosed
in my pocket a good while, but could not muster courage, when I saw
you repeatedly, to take away from you the pleasure of having done the
kindness.
"No matter tho' none but you and I know it, I cannot go to the club
while _I feel_ that I have not paid my own footing; I have given it a
good thinking, and I am sure I shall never incline to go there until
this is done. So that the very object you desire would not be attained.
You must, therefore, of necessity, take it back.
"It is not because I am unwilling to receive kindness from _you_ that
I return it; and pray do not forget that the balance of favors done is
very largely to your credit as between us. _You_ would have made me
Comptroller if I had not refused; and your intentions with me are just
as much a cause of gratitude as the realization would have been.
"One other thing. I will continue to give you my aid in the State
Committee business, and follow your orders promptly so long as I have
time; but for such work I cannot take pay.
"Yours truly,
"JNO. D. VAN BUREN."
"_S. J. Tilden, Esq._"