"_President's Office, Erie Railway Company, cor. 8th Ave. and 23d St._
"NEW YORK, _Feb. 11, 1870_.
"S. J. TILDEN, Esq.
"DR. SIR,--Feb. 24, 1869, I paid you retainer for Erie R. R. Co.
$10,000. Subsequently, on March 5, at your request, I bought Flagg's
bonds, with the understanding that he will co-operate with us in A and
G matters, paying him $3038.29/100, being the face of the bonds and
accrued interest, compounded. At the same time that I paid you the
$10,000 I paid you also $1000 for Flagg's services to date as trustee,
for which you returned me voucher signed by A. C. Flagg for his
daughter.
"I wish to ask you whether, in view of the foregoing, we are not
justified in being surprised to find you against us _without notice_?
"Please reply and oblige,
"Yours truly,
"JAY GOULD."