Poughkeepsie  July 4""1 1855
Prof. M. B. Anderson
My dear Sir
I have this moment received your kind
(private) note of the 30.   ultimo, urging my attendance at the coming
Anna^ Session of the Bord of Trustees of the "University of Rochester"
on the 10""1 inst, to which I hasten to reply and to say, that, it will be
utterly impossible under existing circumstances to he present on that
occasion without serious loss and inconvenience.          In the midst of
an unusual press, of private engagements which requires my personal
attention at home at this time, there are other special causes (com-
mencing their work this day) which renders my presence doubly indis-
pensable.   Of course I refer to the opperation of the imfamous "Pro-
hibiting Liquor Law" upon our large extended Companys buisness,
which has overtaken us in such a summary manner, and with such
sweeping distruction to that interest (if ultimately enforced) as to
paralise at least.for the time being all further efforts of a public  bene-
volent character-----   I deeply regret the neccessity of this appology,
but the time has now come to watch more closely our secular rights
and legaly protect them from the grasp of (as Daniel Lord Eqr and
other eminent jurist of our state have said)  "a despotic unwarrantable,
unconstitutional & arbitary Law" which enactment since the last sitting
/yf-
July 4, 1855   -   2
sun has deprived its citizens of millions of dollars of their hard
earned property, without compensation,-   Declaring by a judicial
stroke of the pen that on this bright day morn of the 79 year of our
national Independance a business which has had the sanction of ages
as part of the trade & taxed paying property of the world and recog-
nised as moral, lawfull, and respectable, and stamped with Divine
authority, now this morning declared not only not property, but a
public nuisance, and a misdemeanor in traffic, subject to*seisure,
confiscation & destruction & that without remidy followd by fines &
imprisonments --              Pardon me my dear sir for this digression
from the subject of your esteemed note.   The excitements of this day
with its consequences must be my appology.
Please to deliver the enclosed ($50) check to my esteemed
young friend Wi^W. Fay, with my best wishes for an hoir. testimonial
in his closing collegiate course.
With much Respect I remain Yours &c
M Vassar
JS