Poughkeepsie July 9, 1859
M B Anderson L.L. D
My very dear Friend
You doubtless have learned thro1
some Channel of my ill health, soon after your visit to Po, last
January I was seized with a slight attack of parilisis and without
going into the details, suffice to say that its effects still remains
in my system especialy in the mental organs.     1 have placed myself
under the care of the ablest Physicians in our State (Messr Doct
Packer, & Clark of the City of N York) but cannot say that 1 have
yet derived much benefit from their advice or treatment, the fact is
the chief difficulty lies in the brain, which is beyond the power of
medicine to reach.     My general health is good and if it continues to
hold out a year or so I may yet regain my mental strenght.   I leave
home on Monday with ray Nephew for the sea shore, either Newport
or Long Branch.    It would afforded me much pleasure to have attended
your Commencement, seated near at hand, but that is impossible as
my mind and body requires repose.
My dear friend & former Pastor of our C B Church of this
City has written you in behalf of Henry H. Fay wishing the bestowment
of the Hon^ degree A.M. Master of Arts and have solicited me to address
you on the subject.    I have no claim upon the University Bord for this
.Hi
July 9,  1859-2
favor, nevertheless it would gratify me much if your faculty could
consistently confer such degree at your present annual term, you
doubtless, are acquainted with him as he visited your Institution
several times while his Brother William was at Rochester.
Please to say to your Hon.   Mr Sage that I paid my note of
$1000 with interest given to your Bord a year or so ago.            With
my most sincere desire for the prosperity of the Institution which
you have the honF to represent
I remain dr Sir
Very truly        Yours in haste
M Vassar
X 4 4~ '