Poughkeepsie   March 1, 1864
Revd Wm Hague    D.B
My dear Sir,      My friend Mr Swan, will explain to you
the embarrasing duty with which he is charged,   I have exonerated
him from everry personal responsibillity - with such a position
as he has occupied towards me for 20 years past he could not have
done otherwise.              I am sure you will also pardon me when I
ask of you as a personal favor to me and to the College that you
will allow these letters, if indeed they are address^ to you to remain
in my hands were they are.
-- I esteem this event grievous as it is to have been Providential.
I enterpose myself moreover between you and every possible cen-
sure.
I regard you as one of my most efficient co%sellors and friends &
pray that both of us may be strong in the emergency to do our whole
duty both to the present and the future.
I remain D- Rev*1 Sir Yrs &c                   M. Vassar
204 f
.35'