Poughkeepsie March 25, 1861
Miss Kate Dinhart,
I am just in receipt of your note of the 23^ current and
hasten to reply.
numerous
With many^other applications breathing the same spirit as
yours before me my proposed College is designed to meet to wit,
a gratuitious education to respectable but poor young Girls and I
have only to regret that the Institution is not now ready for their
reception
It was only the past month we obtained a Charter from our
State Legislature, and we (the Trustees) are now occupied in making
a Contract for the College Edifice which from its magnitude will
require some 2 to 3 years to complete, but I will place your letter
on file, and if not in the intermediate time your application is not
withdrawn or needed you will be offered an opportunity to enter the
Institution
[Matthew Vassar3
.13*