"_Personal and confidential._
"NO. 15 GRAMERCY PARK, NEW YORK, _April 22, 1881_.
"DEAR MR. DOWS,--I recollect that some time ago you
casually mentioned that you were a considerable holder of N. Y.
Elevated R. R. bonds, and I replied that I held all I ever had;
whereupon you reminded me that you knew how many I collected
interest on in January.
"It seems to me appropriate to the cordial friendship existing
between us that I should tell you that my situation in respect to
that investment has changed. I desired before I should go into
the country, and especially if I should decide to go abroad, to
revise my knowledge in respect to that investment; and before I had
completed my investigation it seemed prudent to reduce my interest
or dispose of it altogether. I have substantially done the latter.
"I called at your home last evening, but not finding you, and not
liking to leave word asking you to call upon me this morning, I send
you this note.
"Very truly yours,
"S. J. TILDEN."