Box 2

Draft of letter from Diedrich Willers, Jr. to Henry Stowell, August 31, 1875, concerning delegation (from Seneca County) to State Democratic Convention, "the sentiment is strongly with Mr. Tilden." Also concerns various state appointments. Cross reference: Samuel J. Tilden

Lewis Post to Diedrich Willers, Jr. October 25, 1875. Discusses forthcoming elections to legislature; problems of defeating Republicans in Seneca County; A republican Customs House official "is now in Ovid…" They are swarming throughout the state with money in hand. It will be too bad to tie Tilden up with a Republican Legislature."

Philo White to Diedrich Willers, Jr. November 6, 1875. Discusses election to legislature in Utica; deplores success of the Canal Thieves; but believes the incorruptible Tilden will force them to dis-gorge some of their ill-gotten plunder.

George Pontius to Diedrich Willers, Jr. November 13, 1876, wants Willers to help him be reinstated to the census bureau. Feels he has done good work; but he did not praise the superintendent or play up to his vanity. See also a letter from Pontius to Willers, November 30, 1876, and a draft from Willers to C. B. Benedict, November 23, 1876.

Daniel S. Lamont (from Albany) to Diedrich Willers, Jr., November 30, 1876, "The Greenback, Temperance and Anti-Masonic Tickets gave us much trouble at the canvass. We are very busy on the canvass for state officers and the amendments."

William Terrell to Diedrich Willers, Jr. December 11, 1876, wants Willers help in securing appointment as Military Secretary. "Governor Robinson does not look entirely upon a man's political influence, but character and ability." Willers is highly regarded by Governor Robinson. See also a letter from Terrell to Diedrich Willers, Jr. January 23, 1877. Cross reference: Lucius Robinson

A. C. Niven to Diedrich Willers, Jr. January 22, 1877. Discusses scandals in administration of the state prisons. It isn't easy to unearth such "rascality, but the effort should be made….."

D. C. Robinson (son of Governor Robinson and his personal secretary) to Diedrich Willers, Jr., May 30, 1877, refers to pre-arranged plan by legislature to defeat re-apportionment; this defrauds larger counties of their just rights.

Wilkens ( editor of the Whitehall Times) to Diedrich Willers, Jr., mentions possibility of a new ticket in the forthcoming canvass; see also letter of June 26, 1877 from Wilkens to Willers, Jr., also draft of letter, June 1877, by Diedrich Willers, Jr., in this he mentions the desire of Democrats in Seneca and adjacent counties for a new state ticket.

Ira Aliny to Diedrich Willers, Jr., July 20, 1877, concerns political developments in Farmer Village (Interlaken) and Ovid.