Lake Erie Seminary, Painesville.

Lake Co. Ohio, Jan 25th, 1864.

Matthew Vassar, Sir, Esq.,

Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

Dear Sir,

Your kindness in answering my letter of inquiry relative to the Vassar Female College, addressed to you from Bowling Green, Wood Co, O. encourages me to write you again.

I would beg, not to be thought presumptive if I venture to make upon brief personal statements. I am now twenty years old, and when the Vassar University shall be opened, I will be in my twenty-second year, but apprehend that I may not be able to enter the school at that time, on account of limited means.

I would be accomplishing, or rather, realizing he “Dream of my life,” to be a successful student in this great school, since from childhood it has been my constant desire to acquire a thorough, and liberal education, and, until recently every avenue to the partial or final attainment of this desire, has been closed.

My father thinks it is one of the greatest evidences of both moral and intellectual progress, that such a University has been founded for the education of young ladies, and often hers he remarked that he would send me there, if he could only obtain the adequate means. It is this want of means, which will probably defeat my hopes of obtaining and education.

Pardon me,

for pursuing details so closely. I have a brother who would gladly assist me, but will not be able to do so, at the opening of the University. Under existing circumstances I can think of no greater or better resource, than to appeal to your magnanimity, so striking by demonstrated by that unequaled gift, bestowed by you upon the young women of our land, and here it may be proper to add, that I am only one of the multitude whose hearts overflow with gratitude to the Founder of the Vassar Female College.

If my father should be able to return an advance, (with interest,) made by you to him, in two years from the time of the advance so made, would you favor him? I have heard my

father suggest such a proposition. I have entered the Lake Erie Female Seminary, for one year, so that I may be better prepared for an entrance into the University at Poughkeepsie, if I should ultimately go there- the board and tuition is $90 dollars per year. This school is conducted in the Mount Holyoke system. Taking pardon for trespassing upon your time, also for the freedom with which I have given so many particulars,

I am,

Very respectfully Yours,

Mary C. Raymond.