(PROJECTS A POLITICAL HISTORY)
"'The Sun,' New York, July 24, 1884.
"Dear Mr. Tilden,—What I wish is to enlarge my studies of the politics of the last fifty years by going over it all in your relations to it, and in its relations to you.
"Perhaps the best beginning would be made if you could lend me your printed letters, speeches, reports, messages—in short, your published documents of whatever nature and character. I would keep them in my safe and only take out one at a time, so that they would be very little exposed to accident.
"When I have thoroughly studied these papers a great deal will have been accomplished, and I shall then be ready for the next step. My ultimate purpose is to put myself in a situation to write the political history of this half-century between 1835 and 1885.
"It seems to me that in our day there have been three statesmen who have had the genius to rule men through their intellects. I mean Bismarck, Disraeli, and Tilden.
"I remain, dear Mr. Tilden,
"Faithfully yours,
"C. A. Dana."