"103 FIFTH AVENUE, _Nov. 11, 1876_.
"THE HONORABLE SAML. J. TILDEN.
"DR. SIR,--I did the best I could to elect our candidate.
You beat us overwhelmingly, and you have showed a level head since.
We cannot elect the U. S. Senator; you ought to take that place. It
gives you just enough of time before the spring of 1879[15] to make
useful acquaintance, but not enough to create personal irritations
and jealousies.
[15] When Mr. Pierrepont evidently expected him to be inaugurated as
President.
"_No man_ can be two years Governor of New York without destroying
many ambitious hopes and making many bitter enemies.
"Tho' these suggestions come from a political opponent, they are not
the less genuine.
"Yours truly,
"EDWARDS PIERREPONT."