HORATIO SEYMOUR TO TILDEN
"Utica, Sept. 25, 1857 (1885).
"Dear Sir,—I have received your letter of the 22d inst. I wrote the note to the Rochester paper, not because you would care for it, but because I felt it was due to myself to correct any such statement. I am aware that you are used to and indifferent to such attacks.
"I am seventy-five years old, and suffer from nervous attacks. I had a sunstroke in 1876, from which I never recovered. It has progressed until it has weakened my body and my memory in many respects. I have not been away from Utica during the past two years, except to visit my sister at Coquemen. I have a man in constant attendance. I leave my farm to drive over to Utica about once in a week. If I get into your section of the State I shall be happy to call upon you. I do not keep track of current events. I went to the convention about our canals. I was nominally its chairman; but I presided only a few minutes, as I was too deaf to hear. My attendance harmed me. I have not been as well since. As I can take no exercise, I grow in weight, which makes me look better and feel worse. I hope I may live to see you again, but it is doubtful.
"Truly yours, &c.,
"Horatio Seymour."