"My dear Sir,—Your card of this morning confirms my opinion that the defeat of the Democratic party is due measurably to the manipulation of inexperienced or overconfident directors. I hope you will insist on Chandler's exhibit, now they have made all possible mischief out of your account. There has been too much willingness on the part of the Democrats to compromise, and Senator Kernan to say the least of it has acted unwisely. Patrick Kennedy's[20] testimony fully substantiates my views in regard to Louisiana—Wells has been unskilfully handled. But there is no use in crying over spilt milk.
"The 'occasional correspondent' in the Herald of this morning overstates the case in reference to dissatisfaction in the party. But of its existence no one can doubt. Not so much South as here and in the West, and from a totally different cause from that assigned in the Herald. I had opportunities [of] observing it, and exerted my utmost power to assuage or avert it. There is no necessity now for adverting to the cause, but I will simply remark that the old Hunkers considered themselves ignored to give prominence to Barnburners and new men, personal favorites—and that feeling at one time came near losing you this city and Brooklyn. I have never doubted the feasibility of obtaining a fair and honest return of the vote in Louisiana, if the proper means were resorted to which in no wise included pecuniary consideration. It was a political question and political consideration was desired as testified by P. I. Kennedy, who is a very different man from Dr. Hugh Kennedy, whose name Wells offered as the fifth man on the Returning Board, and had laid on the table for future action. Whenever I mentioned the subject to those in authority here, I was met with the information that Genl. Taylor was here looking to Louisiana. Genl. Taylor is a very estimable gentleman, but most cordially hated by both Wells and Kennedy. When I reflect on the management 'here,' I can only say you were slaughtered in the house of your friends: not from design, for I believe they were honest and true, zealous and uncompromising, but conceited from the want of experience in politics; not the want of capacity, but an overweening confidence in themselves and the justice of their case. In the name of Louisiana, I unhesitatingly repudiate the assertion of the Herald's occasional correspondent of an indifference towards your election. She cast her vote for you, and it would have been so returned if your lieutenants here had not overestimated their powers.
"Very truly your obt. servt.,
"Thos. Cottman."
N. W. HAZEN TO S. J. TILDEN
"Andover, Feb. 28, 1877.
"Hon. Samuel J. Tilden.
"Dear Sir,—I hope it is not too late to make some use of the views stated in the paper enclosed, which seem to me so obvious that I have constantly hoped to see them presented from some one of many sources.
"Very respectfully,
"Your obt. servt.,
"N. W. Hazen."
Whenever it appeared to Congress that no person had a majority of the electoral votes, the whole subject of the election of President, by force of the Twelfth Amendment, passed into the exclusive jurisdiction of the House, and no proposals for joint proceedings, or for any action by the Senate in relation to it were in order.