M. BLAIR TO TILDEN
"Aug. 19, 1868.
"My dear Tilden,—Y'rs of yesterday has come to hand. Mr. Welles is now at the Kittery Yard in person, and will not be here for a week perhaps. He has probably done what Shaw and friends ask. If not, 'twill be too late to act, I fear, on his return. Welles is very earnestly with us now, and I have no doubt will do anything he can. My accounts from the West agree with yours as respects political prospects there. But Able, who is not of a sanguine temperament, writes that our friends are going to carry Missouri by 20,000 majority.
"From Maine, Mr. Clapp, former M. C. from Portland, a brother of Mrs. Woodbury, who is also a cautious man, is very confident of gains in the State.
"If my father can go on to New York I am sure he will do so, to see Bennett. The truth is, however, that Bennett looks to position, and there is no getting him without assurances of it. It was in this way that Lincoln got him. He could have been nominated to Paris undoubtedly if he had not himself declined accepting the mission, because he would have been rejected. Chase got his support, I am sure, by promising him this mission if he was elected. The negotiation with Lincoln was carried on through a fellow of the name of Bartlett, who was the same man who got the Herald for Frémont. I had no part in either negotiation, but I knew of both and sustained Lincoln in keeping his bargain with Bennett. His inclinations are with our side, I am sure, and he told my father and myself he would have supported Frank's nomination earnestly.
"I would not hesitate myself in supporting him if he would give us the power of his press to elect our ticket. I regard him as every way a most reputable man, and one of far greater ability than Chief-Justice Chase. I said this to one of Chase's hangers-on one day when he was turning up his eyes at Lincoln's appointment of Bennett.
"If Seymour could support Chase for the Presidency for his doings about impeachment I cannot see why he could not appoint Bennett for helping to save the country.
"Seymour ought not, under any circumstances, to be approached on this matter. But I think we might legitimately hold out hopes to Bennett and keep our promise of support in good faith. I would, for myself, unhesitatingly offer to do my utmost to get the President to appoint him, though I would not offer that Seymour himself should come under any promise about it, or indeed be approached on the subject directly or indirectly.
"Of course, I would not be so explicit on this subject with any one else. But with you I talk freely, so that when the old man comes on, if he should, you will be prepared to take ground on the point in question.
"Y'rs truly,
"M. Blair."
"Wash., Aug. 19, '68."