"BOSTON, _Augt. 28, 1876_.
"DEAR MR. TILDEN,--I am much concerned touching the matter
about which Messrs. Avery and Collins and myself conferred with you
a few days at Albany.
"Although the Fenian sympathizers seem disposed to oppose the
nomination of Mr. A.,[10] I think their opposition can be
controlled; but a certain candidate, who has hitherto expressed
himself willing to waive any claims he may have for the nomination
in favor of our man, has now changed his mind and wants it.
[10] Charles Francis Adams, our minister to England during the Civil
War.
"We fear he will cause such discord in the convention as to prevent
our offering the nomination to Mr. A. upon the terms upon which
he consents to accept it. These are, that it should be made with
reasonable unanimity.
"We can carry the convention for our candidate, but not, probably,
with such general consent as would be required.
"We have had several interviews with the party causing the trouble,
and tried our best to impress upon him the importance of nominating
Mr. A. for the sake of our cause _outside_ of Massachusetts, but to
no effect.
"If we fail in this matter I shall feel that we have lost some of
our chances for success.
"Congratulating you upon the auspicious outlook elsewhere,
"I am, very truly, y'rs,
"F. O. PRINCE."