"Dear Mr. Dana,—I could not but feel much gratified at the interest in my career manifested in your note of the 18th inst.
"It will afford me pleasure to collect such materials for your purpose as I can procure. It may be necessary to have a personal interview to define more exactly what you desire. That will be an occasion for an additional pleasure.
"In the mean time, with assurances of my regards and esteem, I remain,
"Very truly yours."
CHARLES A. DANA TO TILDEN
(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.