"N. Y., _Sept. 29, 1871_.
"MY DEAR SIR,--I have given the best attention in my power to the
matters mentioned yesterday.
"1. My mind is fully and conclusively made up as to the convention. I
will not attend it for this single reason. The post of duty on these
occasions is _that_ in which one can be most useful. In my opinion this
little use of my nativity is the proper _venue_ for my action. Appoint
me, if you like, give me a respectable alternate, and I will write
_him_ a letter.
"2. I think it would be very inexpedient to take Mr. Green out of the
city for 24 hours. He ought _not_ to go to Rochester.
"3. I have little knowledge of Connolly, and no access to him, nor
would I be willing to have any. Consider:
"1. Must you not in resolutions, etc., body forth the determination to
compel robbers to disgorge and even to inflict punishment, etc.?
"2. Will 'Slippery Dick' stick to his integrity steadily for weeks, in
the face of a hazard like this?
"Therefore,
"3. Is it not desirable to strike whilst the iron is hot, get a
resignation and the appointment of 'Handy Andy,' as I perceive the slow
wits of the opposition begin to call him? It is not a bad name, and
might do a man good who sought preferment, if he could get it to stick.
Handy Andy blundered, to be sure, but he was faithful and honest in
the last degree, and his blunders were true Irish bulls; they excited
merriment, thus doing good to the souls and bodies of the observers; a
certain _naïve_ wit hung around each erroneous conception that evinced
a good motive; besides, there was in each a singular approximation to
cleverness and a kind Providence always effectively gainsaid any actual
evil in the results.
"Yrs. truly,
"CH. O'CONOR."
"_Mr. Tilden._"