"_Strictly private._
"SUNDAY, 5-1/2 P.M.
"MY DEAR TILDEN,--I regret to inform you that there is a great deal
of bad feeling abroad among _our_ friends respecting the arrest of
Connolly,[55] and _you_ and Mr. Havemeyer are blamed and denounced for
it, and for deserting him in the hour of his need.
_Of course, as far as you are concerned_, the sentiment I speak of is
baseless and unfounded, and I have endeavored to set you right, and I
think have succeeded; but as to Mr.
H., there is but one feeling, and that of universal condemnation.
Mr. Connolly is still in duress, and I am afraid he cannot get the
required bail. What's to be done?
I mean to stand by him and sustain him now, for under my advice
(together with the urgent appeals of Mr. H.) he resigned, and the
result is imprisonment; and as Mr. Peckham says on his affidavit, they
were awaiting only his resignation to accomplish what has been done.
"I write this to you in strict confidence.
"I think you ought to know what is going on. I am your true friend, and
do not intend to have you placed in a false position.
"I am going to New York Hotel (room 131), where Connolly is. Unless you
see some insuperable objection, I think you ought to call this morning
and see him.
"Truly yours,
SAML. G. COURTNEY."
"_Hon. S. J. Tilden._"