Poughkeepsie        June 8th 1868.
J. P. Giraud TunF EsqF
My very dear Friend,        I address you thus not without good
cause, for if any person is entitled to this eulogy shurely, it is my friend
Mr Giraud, and this mornings light disclosed to me further testimony3 of
your friendship and kindness and discerning forecast in making secure
your future purposes & intentions to add to your already generosity another
evidence of your good will that you entertain for "Vassar College" &c$     I
have not the power of language to express the inward feeling I entertain
for your good works for our Institution--they contrast so widely from any
precedents by any individual connected with the Founder at any period of
the Enterprise.   During the darkest days & foreboding of the late War, when
our as setts were dwindling down to half their par value, our Contractors
failing, and new measure3 adopted at enormous cost to carry forward the
building, ^ h^ij^, and having at that time already given to the College about
2/3 ds 0f my whole estate, and the great work still unfinished, left me no
alternative, but to stop or go forwards, I resolved on the latter, sink or
swim, and an all wise good Providence has signified his approbation by his
continued blessings upon the Enterprise, and it is a remarkable fact that
this decission has been overruled to make you Mr. Girauld the first among
the many professional friends to demonstrate a practical testimony of this
fact.
The full developement of the enterprise is not by any means yet
rnarkr out, or completed, nor will it be untill there is a special Gallery of
i> 3b ^
June 8, 1868 - 2
Science h Art for the respective Donors & contributors erected or pro-
vided for in the buildings on a larger scale, and I have great pleasure to
know that the name "Giraud11 will stand first and foremost on that honor-
able List.
You will excuse me my dear Sir in not calling to see you, but
health does not admitt of much fatague but I intend to call and see you and
your wife soon, and thank you both for your generous gifts & purposes &c,
I remain dear Sir, Yours truly Ike
M. Vassar*
# Refering to your last Letter to MVJunr
P,S,   Mrs Vassar having just entered my office and learning that I were
writing you wish** particularly to be remember^ to you & Mrs Giraud.
M.V
53& i~