"My dear Governor,—Ever since my return home in December, the cashier of our bank has been absent—ill of pneumonia—and I have been doing double duty. Until he returns, I cannot leave the city. We expect him at his desk early next week.
"Mr. Cleveland intends to go to New York on, or about, the 1st of February, to remain a week, for the purpose of giving everybody who wants to see him an opportunity to call on him. Either before, or after, that time (probably after) he will go to Greystone, and he wants me to go there with him.
"No committals have been made, nor will any be made, until after those visits have occurred. The situation remains just the same as when I was last with you.
"Will you want to see me before we make our proposed call?
"M."
SMITH M. WEED TO GEORGE W. SMITH[31]
"Personal.
"Plattsburg, N. Y., Jany. 25, 1885.
"Geo. W. Smith.
"My dear Governor,—I saw C. (Cleveland) on Saturday (yesterday) A.M., and talked from 10.30 to 12.30 with him. He was just as he was when I saw him last, and talked very freely to me. He is absolutely with our friends in sentiment. Has some queer ideas, which can all be talked out of him, I think. I told him what you said about his civil service letter, and it pleased him immensely. I told him about your financial work and talked over that subject with him, and it made an impression, and he seemed very anxious about it and thankful that you sent J. on to W. He spoke of anticipating seeing you in N. Y., but I did not say anything about his going to visit you. He will not give B. (Bayard) anything but Secretary of State, and, I think, thinks he better stay in the Senate at that. He is very set on Whitney, and I think has no one else but that could be changed. He spoke of regretting both B.'s and G.'s leaving the Senate. He talked very freely and frankly, and I do not think it has hurt him to let him alone for a couple of weeks, as he has been.