t you, as of old, with hearty good will and respect, and
will give no further credence to the stories I hear. You can have
no knowledge of the extent of the accusations that have been made
against you.

"Very truly yours,
"John Sherman.
"Hon. Charles Foster, Columbus, Ohio."

With this letter I sought to divest myself of all feeling or
prejudice growing out of the recent canvass.

At the close of the fiscal year and the preparation of the usual
statements made at that time, there was a period of rest, of which
I availed myself by taking an excursion along our northeastern
coast. The quiet of the voyage, the salt air, and the agreeable
companions, were a great relief from the confinement and anxiety
of the previous months. Upon my return to New York from this
outing, on the 19th of July, I found two letters from General
Garfield, both relating to the progress of the canvass, and asking
my opinion of his letter of acceptance. In reply I wrote him:

"New York, July 19, 1880.
"My Dear Sir:--Your letter of the 16th was received by me this
morning. When I left Washington, about the 1st of July, I felt
very much debilitated by the heat and by the long mental struggle
through which I had passed. I have had the benefit now of three
weeks quiet and rest, mostly on the ocean, avoiding, whenever
possible, all political talk, and feel, in consequence, greatly
refreshed and invigorated. I take the outward voyage _via_ Fortress
Monroe to Washington, arriving there on Thursday.

"I received the telegraphic invitation to speak at Chicago but
could not accept, as I must give some relief to French and Upton
upon my return.

"I have received letters and telegrams from Nash about his proposed
canvass, and highly approve it. I do not see, however, how it is
possible for me to prepare a speech during the present month. I
now propose to write a political letter in response to one from
Chicago, which I believe will have a wider circulation than a
campaign speech. During the latter part of August or the first of
September, which is as early as the active campaign ought really
to commence, I will be prepared to make several speeches in Ohio,
and, perhaps, in other states. This is my present plan. I regard
Indiana and New York as the pivotal states, and there the struggle
should be.

"Your letter of acceptance I approve heartily, although I thought
you yielded a little too much in one or two sentences on the civil
se