"FORT WASHINGTON, _February 10, 1875_.
"MY DEAR GOV. TILDEN,--Your favor of the 8th is this instant received.
I have never met the Mayor but once. I then discovered that his prime
object seemed to be the removal of Green. This is the prime object
of all the swindlers, whatever political banner they sail under. Our
friend Marble is also hostile to him. _They_ are determined to get him
out.
"I drew the impeachment of the counsel. As drawn it contained what
more prudent men than myself might pronounce an injudicious paragraph
against the appeals majority. In a council, consisting of Marble,
Burton N. Harrison, and perhaps others, this was stricken out, and
perhaps rightly. The keystone to the arch imparting favor to Tweed
was the story of the substitution of Curtis and Porter for Barlow and
Peckham. But I had to acquiesce in omitting that. The letters on _this_
subject are in the New York papers about 30th and 31st December.
"The Mayor sent to Barlow, Peckham, and myself for our suggestions on
the council's answer. Peckham's and mine contain all that is needful on
this subject. Mine, unwisely, you will say, opens fire on the judicial
majority, and states with suitable words of characterization the Porter
and Curtis substitution. This you will probably not disapprove.
"To understand this branch of the case precisely you should know a few
facts. I had all my life greatly aided and befriended this man. But
this was not strange; I always aid the needy and never strike any one
willingly. He thought me very amiable, but took good care to keep out
of my way from the moment he took office until he was accused. Then
he could scarcely believe his senses; so, near midnight, he visited
me, cried, implored, etc., etc. I gave him no hope, and to his face
condemned him, observing courtesy to be sure in the choice of words.
I commented in terms as apt as this duty would permit, on his Porter
and Curtis affair. This will serve to account for his _subsequent_
attempt to reinstate Barlow and Peckham. No more need be stated. I have
requested Peckham to send you a copy of his reply to Smith; a copy of
mine will reach you as soon as it can be made.
"I am quite sure the _power_ that is bent on removing Green will not
improve the Corporation Counsel's office; consequently, I cannot desire
that the Mayor should be free to fill it.
"I suppose you know that the only political sentiment in which I
indulge is hostility of official thieves. This, like my hostility to
the negro war, places me almost alone. Some degree of circumspection in
my movement is therefore necessary; and, perhaps, some little caution
on the part of political men how far they permit themselves to be
seen in my company, or to be suspected of being influenced by me, is
desirable to _them_.
"Hence I doubt the expediency for _either of us_ of my putting up at
the Governor's mansion for a day or two.
"I may say very little, and will probably do very little to testify my
dissent; but I will see better reasons than have yet been exhibited
before I will in any way assent to Judge Allen's standing as the law of
the land.
"Were I Governor I would not assent to Smith's removal without an
assurance as to the successor. But this, of course, should have no
influence with you; for, as far as you have indicated a choice to me,
you have not named any one who would impart to that office the needed
vigor. At least such is my belief.
"I am morally certain that the majority in the 'hybrid body' will on
some impalpable technicality defeat any civil suit that can now be
brought against the Ring. Nothing but the clearing up bill now in your
hands will draw their teeth."