TILDEN TO MONTGOMERY BLAIR
"Greystone, Nov. 29, 1880.
"Dear Mr. Blair,—If I seem slow in replying to your letter of the 10th inst., you must ascribe it to the difficulties presented by its chirography which have not been surmounted until this morning. As your productions always repay a real perusal, a third and successful attempt to read that letter was persisted in.
"In this connection I must tell you a story. Mr. Cambreling wrote Mr. Van Buren a long and argumentative letter in favor of the annexation of Texas while the latter was preparing his letter upon that subject. It was written in an ink which stuck the pages together, and Van Buren was foiled or gave up in the attempt to decipher it. I have a vague impression that he afterwards thought that letter might have modified his own view. Possibly it might have changed the course of events.
"Mr. Smith has brought up some photographs of three sorts. I send herewith three of each kind.
"If a man can afford the slightest pleasure to friends who have been so partial, so kind, and so faithful by a photograph, it is a real delight to comply with their wishes.
"I have not yet gone down to the city for the winter, and probably shall not until next week.
"My health is gradually improving, and I intend to persevere in living a purely physical life, alternating between out-of-door exercise and rest until the experiment shall have been fairly and fully tried.
"With best regards to Mrs. Blair, and to the other members of your family,
"I remain, very truly yours,
"(S'g'd) S. J. Tilden.
"I return Mr. Fox's letter."