"UTICA, _Sept. 11, 1874_.
"MY DEAR SIR,--I have been confined to my house for some days, so that
I have not been able to see Mr. Kernan. To-day he is out of town.
To-morrow I shall go to the north part of our county to attend the
district convention, which I shall get to send me to Syracuse. I have
to go thirty miles to reach it, as it is held in a remote corner of
our county. As I wrote you before, the State has been scoured by your
opponents. The State officers are hostile, and every canal official is
at work to keep your friends out of the convention. In Oneida we have
more than one hundred miles of canals running into all sections of its
territory. I shall not be surprised if I encounter a sharp opposition
to-morrow. It is not open opposition alone which is to be contended
with. Men are put forward who claim to be your friends who are to be
convinced in due time that it will not be expedient to nominate you,
although they hold you in high regard, etc., etc.
"A high compliment is paid to you by men who have schemes when they
show that they do not want you in Albany. So far as your fame and honor
are concerned, it will be fortunate for you if they succeed, for the
whole press, which will be hostile or silent if you are put into the
field, will be full of your praises if it is held that you are too
honest to be made a Governor.
"Truly yours, &c.,
"HORATIO SEYMOUR."
"_Hon. S. J. Tilden._"