TILDEN TO FRANCIS S. THAYER, AUDITOR OF CANAL BOARD
"Personal.
"New York, June 25th, 1875.
"My dear Sir,—You are quite correct in assuming that no action of mine on any bill or item has been inspired by anything but kindly disposition towards you.
"1. The canal extraordinary repair bill. When I found that I must veto this I at once communicated with you, and expressed the opinion that it would not prejudice your position as to the $15,000. That is my opinion now. I do not see any reason to doubt that you can pay that sum out of ordinary repairs. Tho' as an original job it may have been extraordinary work, when it came to be left in a condition to interfere with the current use of the canal, the removing of the obstruction, and putting in order the bank of the canal, is ordinary repairs.
"You may get the money at once on this theory. You could not get it under the extraordinary repair bill.
"2. The Hudson River improvement bill. The Comptroller informed me that there would be no money to pay for this object or the soldiers of 1812. The veto certainly had no reference to the commissioners.
"3. The supply bill was finally disposed of on information that had gradually been collected in the last two days of the period allowed by the Constitution, and while I was disabled by boils, so that I could not sit up. I should have communicated with you about the item of $750 if there had been time. I supposed I had sufficient and correct information from a gentleman to whom I had referred a portion of the supply bill for the investigation of facts.
"His report to me was that this item was in conflict—by inadvertence, I presumed—with two clauses of the amendment to the Constitution.
"Certainly I had no idea of unkindness or disrespect towards you. I shall be happy to look into the case, and if there is power to make this provision, to favor it.
"I have on several occasions manifested favorable sentiments towards you and your brother. I mentioned him favorably in the special canal message, and you on some recent occasions.
"I gave up my judgment as to the $150,000 for the aqueducts and 16 locks to your joint opinion and wishes.
"I desire to treat you with consideration, and to co-operate with you for the public good.
"Of course I have defined views of duty in respect to the policy to be pursued as to the canals, in which I should be glad to have your concurrence as far as is consistent with your judgment.
"I have dictated this hasty answer to your note in order to avoid delay.
"Hon. Francis S. Thayer."
FRANKLIN B. DEXTER TO MR. TILDEN
(MR. TILDEN RECEIVES THE DEGREE OF LL.D. FROM HIS
ALMA MATER)
"Yale College, New Haven, Conn., July 5, 1875.
"Sir,—I have the honor to inform you in an official way that the president and fellows of this college, at the recent public commencement, conferred upon you the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws, and in connection with that act enrolled you with the academical graduates of the college in the class of 1837.
"In thus recognizing the eminent public services which have so abundantly deserved the honorable regard of all public-spirited men, the corporation are especially proud to recall the fact that the foundations of your educational training were in part laid here, and to claim you, in virtue of this former connection, as an alumnus of Yale.
"Very respectfully,
"Your obedient servant,
"Franklin B. Dexter,
"Secretary.
"His Excellency Gov. Tilden."