"Spring House, Richfield Springs, N. Y., July 11, 1876.
"My dear Sir,—Your kind expressions of me when at your house yesterday have induced me to make a suggestion to you in confidence.
"If uncommitted on the question, and if you could do no better (of course) as Secretary of the Treasury, I venture to submit that in that important [post] I might be able to command confidence to a large extent where I am known.
"With your views as expressed, one word from you at St. Louis would have given me the nomination for the 'second place.' I suppose the place above mentioned is of more importance to the public in a 'reform' point of view than the second place. These things, Govr., are only for your consideration, with neither claims nor representations on my part, only asking that if not approved they will not further be thought of.
"When I left St. L., Gen. Preston, of Ky., and other influential friends from other States requested permission to use my name for the V.-P. shd. Govr. H. on any account decline, etc.
In much haste,
"Your frd. & obt. St.,
"C. H. McCormick."
TILDEN TO S. S. COX
"State of New York, Executive Chamber,
"Albany, July 22, 1876.
"Dear Mr. Cox,—Your note of the 15th came several days ago, but I have since that time been so exceptionally occupied that I could not give any attention to my correspondence.