Smith M. Weed visited South Carolina. On November 16, without the use
of cipher or _sobriquet_, he telegraphed Henry Havermeyer: "Board
demand $75,000 for two or three electors." Later in the day he added:
"Looks now as though $75,000 would secure all seven votes." The next
day he wired: "Press everywhere. No certainty here. Simply a hope." On
November 18, he announced: "Majority of Board secured. Cost $80,000.
Send one parcel of $65,000; one of $10,000; one of $5,000. All to be
in $1000 or $500 bills. Have cash ready to reach Baltimore Sunday
night." Pelton met Weed at Baltimore without the money and both went
to New York to secure it. Meantime, the canvassing board reported in
favour of Hayes.

Pelton also corresponded with one J.N.H. Patrick, who telegraphed from
Oregon: "Must purchase Republican elector to recognise and act with
the Democrat, and secure vote to prevent trouble. Deposit $10,000 to
my credit." Pelton replied: "If you will make obligation contingent on
result in March it will be done." Patrick said fee could not be made
contingent, whereupon $8,000 was deposited on January 1, 1877, to his
credit, but too late to complete the transaction.

When these telegrams, translated by the New York _Tribune_, were
investigated by the Potter Congressional committee in January, 1879,
Marble testified that he transmitted them simply "as danger signals";
Weed admitted and attempted to justify; Pelton accepted the full
responsibility, intending, he said, to get the money of Edward Cooper;
Cooper testified that the telegram requesting $80,000 sent to
Baltimore was his first knowledge of Pelton's activity; that he
immediately informed Tilden, who recalled his nephew and put a stop to
negotiations. Tilden swore that "no offer, no negotiation in behalf of
any member of any Returning Board was ever entertained by me, or by my
authority, or with my sanction.... There never was a moment in which I
ever entertained any idea of seeking to obtain those certificates by
any venal inducement, any promise of money or office, to the men who
had them to grant or dispose of. My purpose on that subject was
perfectly distinct, invariable, and it was generally assumed by all my
friends without discussion. It may have sometimes been expressed and
whenever the slightest occasion arose for it to be discussed, it was
expressed. It was never deviated from in word or act."--Testimony in
relation to Cipher Telegraphic Dispatches, pp. 200-274; s