"GREYSTONE, _July 27--86_.
"DEAR MR. MANNING,--Your letter of the 26th is received.
"I have thought much of the nature of the communication which you
wish to make, but have written nothing. Do you wish to say anything
further than to announce your final purpose, and your reasons for
it? The letter, it seems to me, will be short.
"I will try my hand on a draft and send it to you.
"No further intelligence has been received from our friend in Europe.
"I have been busy all the morning answering a letter from Mr.
Fairchild.
"By what route do you intend to go to Watch Hill--across the country
or by way of New York?
"Very truly yours,
"S. J. TILDEN."
* * * * *
On the 4th day of August, and only eight days after the date of the
preceding letter, I received the following telegram from George
W. Smith, then Mr. Tilden's private secretary, and by his will to
become one of his executors and Trustees:
"GREYSTONE, _Aug. 4, 1886_.
"Mr. Tilden died this morning at 8."