"_Personal._
"NEW YORK, _June 25th, 1875_.
"My dear Sir,--You are quite correct in assuming that no action of
mine on any bill or item has been inspired by anything but kindly
disposition towards you.
"1. The canal extraordinary repair bill. When I found that I must veto
this I at once communicated with you, and expressed the opinion that
it would not prejudice your position as to the $15,000. That is my
opinion now. I do not see any reason to doubt that you can pay that
sum out of ordinary repairs. Tho' as an original job it may have been
extraordinary work, when it came to be left in a condition to interfere
with the current use of the canal, the removing of the obstruction, and
putting in order the bank of the canal, is ordinary repairs.
"You may get the money at once on this theory. You could not get it
under the extraordinary repair bill.
"2. The Hudson River improvement bill. The Comptroller informed me that
there would be no money to pay for this object or the soldiers of 1812.
The veto certainly had no reference to the commissioners.
"3. The supply bill was finally disposed of on information that had
gradually been collected in the last two days of the period allowed by
the Constitution, and while I was disabled by boils, so that I could
not sit up. I should have communicated with you about the item of
$750 if there had been time. I supposed I had sufficient and correct
information from a gentleman to whom I had referred a portion of the
supply bill for the investigation of facts.
"His report to me was that this item was in conflict--by inadvertence,
I presumed--with two clauses of the amendment to the Constitution.
"Certainly I had no idea of unkindness or disrespect towards you. I
shall be happy to look into the case, and if there is power to make
this provision, to favor it.
"I have on several occasions manifested favorable sentiments towards
you and your brother. I mentioned him favorably in the special canal
message, and you on some recent occasions.
"I gave up my judgment as to the $150,000 for the aqueducts and 16
locks to your joint opinion and wishes.
"I desire to treat you with consideration, and to co-operate with you
for the public good.
"Of course I have defined views of duty in respect to the policy to
be pursued as to the canals, in which I should be glad to have your
concurrence as far as is consistent with your judgment.
"I have dictated this hasty answer to your note in order to avoid delay.
"_Hon. Francis S. Thayer._"