Poughkeepsie     March 22d 1864
Prof M0P. Jewett    Dear Sir.     Yours of the 17""1 inst is before me
and I have delayed a reply thus far hardly conceiving that one was
necessary or perhaps expected-   Upon reflection I have satisfied
you for the right
myself that one is due touthorough understanding of our present
position and to prevent any possible misconceptions.              You
speak of being nencouragedn by the Hon Mr Kelly to renew the assur-
ances of your regret &c-----I do not of course know to what circum-
is
stances that encouragement is due and it but fair to you to say that
our positions are in no respect altered from what they were when I
wrote you on the 2** inst, at least for the better as I have since heard
(if true) much to widen our difficulties
It is impossible that we shall ever again occupy the same
relation to each other hereafter, and a sense of self respect require
me in honesty & canodr to leave the expression of them just as I
have already written them to you as I cannot nor would not disguise
ray feelings.
I subscribe myself Respectf^ &c
jMatthew Vassar }
Z05 e
J3*V