r into it in detail. It is sufficient to
say that it resulted in the counting of the votes of Louisiana,
South Carolina and Florida for Mr. Hayes, electing him President
by a majority of one vote. I took an active part in the debates
on the questions involved and gave in detail my view of the action
of the returning board of Louisiana.

During this period I received a number of personal letters from
Governor Hayes, some of which may be of interest:

"Columbus, O., December 25, 1876.
"My Dear Sir:--I have your esteemed favor, and have also met Judge
Taft and Governor Dennison. There will not be the slightest
difficulty growing out of the matter you refer to. You know my
general course of conduct. It has always seemed to me wisest, in
case of decided antagonisms among friends, not to take sides--to
heal by compromise, not to aggravate, etc., etc. I wish _you_ to
feel authorized to speak in pretty decided terms for me whenever
it seems advisable--to do this not by reason of specific authority
to do it, but from your knowledge of my general methods of action.

"Sincerely,
"R. B. Hayes.
"Hon. John Sherman, etc., etc."

"Columbus, O., January 5, 1877.
"My Dear Sir:--I have your note of the 3rd. I do not wish to
influence the action of our friends, and do not volunteer opinions.
But _you_ have a right to my opinion. I believe the Vice President
alone has the constitutional power to count the votes and declare
the result. Everything in the nature of a contest as to electoral
votes is an affair of the states. The rest is a mere ministerial
duty. Therefore it is not right, in my judgment, for Congress to
interfere.

"Sincerely,
"R. B. Hayes.
"Hon. John Sherman, U. S. S."

"Columbus, O., February 15, 1877.
"My Dear Sir:--I have two letters from you since I last wrote. It
if becomes my duty to make a cabinet I want your views fully and
specifically. If possible a personal interview would be extremely
desirable. Boynton writes to Smith that an assurance of my views
on the southern question, which are truly set forth in my letter,
with such additions as I could properly make, would be useful. I
prefer to make no new declarations. But you may say if you deem
it advisable that you _know_ that I will stand by the friendly and
encouraging words of that letter and by all that they imply. You
cannot express that too strongly.

"Sincerely,
"R. B. Hayes.
"Hon. John Sherman."

"Colu