"NEW YORK, _March 28th, 1872_.
"MY DEAR SIR,--I rec'd your letter, but find it difficult to get a
moment in which to answer it.
"I cannot at present leave my duties to go to Kentucky.
"If I have a team, I want: 1. That each horse should be healthy (of
sound constitution), a good feeder, and tough. I have had enough of
horses which lose in whole or in part their feed after being driven, or
which have to ____ or a medicine. I do not want a horse that needs care
all the while to keep him well.
"2. I want each horse to be of natural good temper and disposition.
"3. I want each to be free from all tricks, and perfectly sound.
"4. I want the two horses to be well matched in size, appearance,
temper, and action. The color is of less importance.
"5. I want them to move and act together as one horse.
"And if the horses you offer are such, and if you choose to bring on
the horse 'Morris Miller' at my expense and risk, and the other horse
at your own expense and risk, I will take 'Morris Miller' at $5000;
and if the other horse shall prove satisfactory to Mingo and me on an
opportunity of trial for a week or two, to be determined with reference
to the weather and my being in town, I will give $5000 more and the
pony for the other horse.
"Of course, I do not want to try one horse alone, and in doing so rely
upon your representation that the other horse will suit, and that the
two will work together as you say.
"I enclose check for $5000, which you can take if you approve these
terms, but are to return without using it if you do not affirm these
terms.
Yours,
"S. J. TILDEN."