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Creator: Hansell, W.F.
Date: March 11, 1861
Text: [Guilad a] Mar 1 1861 Mr. M. Vassar My dear freind[sic] I just write to congratulate you upon the near consummation of your long cherished place for a Female College. I believe the enteprize[sic] to be one greatly needed to supply one of the most pressing demands of the times and that it will meet with the cordial sympathy of good and wise men and what is [seen] valuable, the approbation of God You have chosen to do this work yourself, rather than to leave it in the charge of executives and,...
Show more[Guilad a] Mar 1 1861 Mr. M. Vassar My dear freind[sic] I just write to congratulate you upon the near consummation of your long cherished place for a Female College. I believe the enteprize[sic] to be one greatly needed to supply one of the most pressing demands of the times and that it will meet with the cordial sympathy of good and wise men and what is [seen] valuable, the approbation of God You have chosen to do this work yourself, rather than to leave it in the charge of executives and, I am persuaded it will be vastly better done Yourexample too, will not be without its influence upon others who wish to do good but who accordig[according] to common custom propose to do it when are dead. Like David you have chosen … your own life to serve your generation by the will of God. The generation to come after you will be the better served thereby. I trust that God will spare you to witness the practical & successful operation of the plans you have so generously devised I suppose you have received many suggestions as to the kind of training to be given in the Institution, but I cannot refrain from submitting this to your Consideration, that a depart--ment[department] of instruction in household duties should be established. It is lamentable to think that while custom prescribes a cause of instruction adapted to fit young ladies to perform their [act] gracefully in society, it demands almost nothing to qualify them to preside over the domestic arrangements of the family. I believe that grater[sic] discontent in occasioned in households by the wane of practical knowledge in this aspect than in any other Let us have if need be a little less knwledges[sic] of Latin & Music and a little more of the mode of taking care of a household I bid you God speed my friend in this laudable under-[taking]taking[undertaking] It is a high [brow] to have your name associated in future times with such an enterprise With my kindest regards to Mrs Vassar I remain with great esteem Yrs[yours] etc Wm[William] F. Hansell
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Creator: Huntley, Olive L.
Date: December 5, 1862
Text: New Woodstock Dec. 15th Mr Matthew Vassar Dear Sir It is not often that I venture unintroduced, into the presence of an entire stranger; but in consideration of the magnificent gift you have recently bestowed upon the women of our land, I am encouraged to address you upon a subject which, for years, has been to me, one of absorbing interest. I am the third of four sisters, between the ages of twenty two and thirty, in a family of twelve children- ten of whom are still living- who from our...
Show moreNew Woodstock Dec. 15th Mr Matthew Vassar Dear Sir It is not often that I venture unintroduced, into the presence of an entire stranger; but in consideration of the magnificent gift you have recently bestowed upon the women of our land, I am encouraged to address you upon a subject which, for years, has been to me, one of absorbing interest. I am the third of four sisters, between the ages of twenty two and thirty, in a family of twelve children- ten of whom are still living- who from our childhood have for (…)writing to you is to ascertain upon what terms we may become members of this Institution. It has ever been our intention to devote ourselves to teaching, if we can secure a thorough education to prepare us for that important work, and we feel that no place could be found more desirable for obtaining that preparation, than the Vassar Collegiate Institute. Pardon me for taking so much of your time; my earnest desire to secure this object is my apology. Will it be too much to ask you to answer the question I have proposed? Whether we can enjoy the advantages of this noble Institution or not, permit me with all fine women of our land, to thank you warmly for the kindly interest you have manifested in the intellectual and (…) training of our sex; assuring you that thousands of the sons and daughter of our land will yet bless the memory of him whose Christian kindness has prompted this noble enterprise. On behalf of my sister and myself Yours very respectfully Olive L. Humtleyhoped at some future day to enjoy the educational advantages, we so highly prized: but although poverty has never been our portion, yet our parents have never felt able to incur the necessary expense. The advertisements of the different institutions of learning, which have roughly met our eye, have been perused with a longing to share their benefits, which only those, similarly situated can fully understand. Some time since, a matter of the Vassar Collegiate Institute, when in process of erection, attracted our attention, and (…) new hopes; but, ignorant of the plans upon which it was founded, we supposed its advantages were far beyond our reach, and relinquished it with a sigh: hoping a way might yet be opened for the accomplishment of our long-cherished desire. Last evening an Article in the Female Advocate and Guardian caught our eye, which led us to hope that here might be found that which we had so long sought in vain. My object in1862 Olive L Humtley New Woodstock Madison Co. NY Decb 5th Answered 21 Decb wishes to enter as pupil
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Creator: Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Date: August 2, 1867
Text: August 2d 1867 Doct. Nathan Bishop L.L.D My dear Sir Some time ago I called your attention as Chairman of the Ex. Board of Trustees of " Vassar College " to a suggestion made by me of the propriety of the latter furnishing at their own expense thier respective half lenght potraits for to be hung up in the Art-Gal- lery, and more especialy do I desire this in as much as my Likeness in Oil & soon will be added the Marble Bust, and then perhaps a Bronse Statute,—a lavish ex-...
Show moreAugust 2d 1867 Doct. Nathan Bishop L.L.D My dear Sir Some time ago I called your attention as Chairman of the Ex. Board of Trustees of " Vassar College " to a suggestion made by me of the propriety of the latter furnishing at their own expense thier respective half lenght potraits for to be hung up in the Art-Gal- lery, and more especialy do I desire this in as much as my Likeness in Oil & soon will be added the Marble Bust, and then perhaps a Bronse Statute,—a lavish ex- penditure I think of Vanity, & that without a Single member of eithur Board to indorse or sustain me in it! Will you please to lay this matter before your Ex. Committeeat your next Meeting. I intended to have Spoken to you yesterday on this subject, but other mat- ters engrossed my thoughts I forgot it &c—besides I was rather out of tune in point of health &c Yours truly, &c M. Vassar—
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Creator: Anderson, Kate M.
Date: May 14, 1864
Text: … … May 14th 1864 For Matthew Vassar Dear Sir Seeing something of your College, … … opened in September, in … lady’s book I have determined so adress you asking information concerning the seems & …. I have a … sister who is exceedingly anxious for an education. But we are not near a good school, and we are not very able, so can not send her to an … schoo. If the terms of your school are liberal we would like exceedingly to send her there we think hoping to hear more concerning it soon. I...
Show more… … May 14th 1864 For Matthew Vassar Dear Sir Seeing something of your College, … … opened in September, in … lady’s book I have determined so adress you asking information concerning the seems & …. I have a … sister who is exceedingly anxious for an education. But we are not near a good school, and we are not very able, so can not send her to an … schoo. If the terms of your school are liberal we would like exceedingly to send her there we think hoping to hear more concerning it soon. I am yours with … From Matthew Vassar. K H Anderson Please address Miss Kale M Anderson … anne Somerset … Maryland1864 Miss Kate M. … … SOmerset … Maryland May 17 …
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Creator: Perkins, Sarah M.
Date: December 11, 1862
Text: Winchester N. H. Dec 11. 1862 Mr. Vassar Dear Sir I have just been reading of the Female College at Poughkeepsie founded and endowed by your liberality. I thank God that he has put it in your heart to do so noble a thing. You will be happy through all eternity for it. But just now I want to ask a few questions concerningit. Will it be open to young ladies out of New York? What age may they enter? How far must they go in their studies to fit for it? My husband is a clergyman with small salary....
Show moreWinchester N. H. Dec 11. 1862 Mr. Vassar Dear Sir I have just been reading of the Female College at Poughkeepsie founded and endowed by your liberality. I thank God that he has put it in your heart to do so noble a thing. You will be happy through all eternity for it. But just now I want to ask a few questions concerningit. Will it be open to young ladies out of New York? What age may they enter? How far must they go in their studies to fit for it? My husband is a clergyman with small salary. We have three children, all daughters. Our eldest is in her fourteenth year, a good scholar for her age, and intends to teach as a profession when qualified, and old enough. We would like to give her the advantages of just such a school, where the accomplishmentscould go hand in hand, with sterner studies. Would she come within the rules? If so please enter her name, Mary Frances Perkins, as a pupil, when the right time comes. If she is shut out, I shall still think of you with gratitude and thank you in behalf of the sex. New York is my native state, and when I remember my own meagre opportunities, I shall rejoice that a better time is coming. Yours Respectfully (Mrs) Sarah M. Perkins.P.S. Will you please reply soon. S.M.P.
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Creator: Gould, Julia A. M.
Date: May 21, 1864
Text: To Matthew Vassar Esq … May 21rd 1864 Sir Mr Hallenbeck spoke Vassar to Mr Vassar sometime since respecting my … the getting a situation in Vassar College to … … … open. He thought I wished her to obtain a position is teacher, but was mistaken. I am anxious … he should have the advantages of the institution as a … for one year. The had a … good … in the common. English Brothers and … given some attention to …, has been assisting her mother in teaching 2 years, in a … Mr Vassar is aware that...
Show moreTo Matthew Vassar Esq … May 21rd 1864 Sir Mr Hallenbeck spoke Vassar to Mr Vassar sometime since respecting my … the getting a situation in Vassar College to … … … open. He thought I wished her to obtain a position is teacher, but was mistaken. I am anxious … he should have the advantages of the institution as a … for one year. The had a … good … in the common. English Brothers and … given some attention to …, has been assisting her mother in teaching 2 years, in a … Mr Vassar is aware that the … lost all he was worth in “578 “58 and that we have struggled to give our daughters the … of supporting therefore since that time. We were … by Mr Vassar’s … announcement sometime … to make this appeal if it is … with his plan and all the … not filled he would be conferring a … on her … for which the will be … grateful. Yours … … A. M. …Mr Julia Gold May 21/64
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Creator: Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Text: Poughkeepsie September 15th 1860 Dear Miss Cleveland Your note of this morning is before me which among many others like [impart] I have carefully filed away as a testimony of the numerious[sic] wants of an Institution as that contemplated by the “Vassar Female College” etc. If in the good Providence of God my life and health should be shared untill[sic] next spring I hope to commence building, but considering the magnitude of the work it may require some two years from this time before it...
Show morePoughkeepsie September 15th 1860 Dear Miss Cleveland Your note of this morning is before me which among many others like [impart] I have carefully filed away as a testimony of the numerious[sic] wants of an Institution as that contemplated by the “Vassar Female College” etc. If in the good Providence of God my life and health should be shared untill[sic] next spring I hope to commence building, but considering the magnitude of the work it may require some two years from this time before it can be opened for practical uses. Be assured dear Miss Cleveland your name will be early enrolled upon its records for admission etc. With much regards I subscribe myself Yours very Respectfully M. Vassar
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Creator: Booth, Mary L.
Date: February 22, 1864
Text: (…) Madison Ave. New York, Feb. 22/64 Gentlemen, I have been requested by a friend to procure a prospectives of the Vassar Female College for a gentleman from South America, who is desirous of placing his daughter in that institution when it opens. If you will be kind enough to send me one, with any particulars of interest, you will greatly oblige. Yours respectfully, Mary L. BoothMary L Borth July 22, N. York Application for pupil

Creator: Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Date: June 18, 1866
Text: Springside Monday June 18th, 1866 My Dear Stilson The printer (Mr. Osborn) of your beautiful little gem compositions “Hill of Jekyl” was delivered me (200) copies on Saturday evening, but too late to send them to you. I forward the same this morning by the “College post Boy” I think you will be pleased with the typographical & mechanical executions. I only regret their tedious delay, I trust you will meet with ready patronage in this first effort for literary fame. I remain dear Miss G....
Show moreSpringside Monday June 18th, 1866 My Dear Stilson The printer (Mr. Osborn) of your beautiful little gem compositions “Hill of Jekyl” was delivered me (200) copies on Saturday evening, but too late to send them to you. I forward the same this morning by the “College post Boy” I think you will be pleased with the typographical & mechanical executions. I only regret their tedious delay, I trust you will meet with ready patronage in this first effort for literary fame. I remain dear Miss G. Your friend &c Matthew Vassar P.S. I have retained 25 copies for distribution among my friends
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Creator: Kelly, William
Date: January 31, 1861
Text: 1st May 1861 Dear Sir: You have done a splendid thing. A Truly splendid thing, because it [shines]: a nice entrance to [mine] Matthew Vassar Esq. Poughkeepsie N.Y.together & tonight into the perfect day. It will [make] for, little difference to you, …, That I glory in a country than, who has done what could really … … the reign of the best

Creator: Stilson, Sarah L.
Date: October 12, 1867
Text: Martinsburgh Oct. 12, 1867 Mr. M. Vassar: Honored Friend, The beautiful book “Vassar College and the Founder” has safely arrived at last and I am delighted with it. I have shown it to a number and the work is universally admired. The particulars you give of the opening of the College year are very interesting. It seems to me like news from home to hear from Vassar. And sometimes when I fall to thinking of it I almost long for wingsthat I might be there. But we live in a practical world, a ...
Show moreMartinsburgh Oct. 12, 1867 Mr. M. Vassar: Honored Friend, The beautiful book “Vassar College and the Founder” has safely arrived at last and I am delighted with it. I have shown it to a number and the work is universally admired. The particulars you give of the opening of the College year are very interesting. It seems to me like news from home to hear from Vassar. And sometimes when I fall to thinking of it I almost long for wingsthat I might be there. But we live in a practical world, a “working-day would” and wings are not given us till we change this practical for the etherial. And oh! how much there is to be done in the world! What a mighty mission for every one! It seems sensitive, if one spends a life from without harming any one or doing one wrong act, still if he be simply negative and silently idle when life has such a million calls, then great is his crime, in the eyes of angels and God. May you live long to enjoy the fulfillments of your life-hopes. With the best wishes I am Your young Friend Sarah L. Stilson
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Creator: Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Date: September 29, 1862
Text: Poughkeepsie September 29 1862 Benson J. Los sing Esq Dear Sir The bearer MFH. Boyd is engaged in getting up a City Directory and wishes to have an article inserted therein respecting our College enterprise and to have the same headed with a Stereotype view of the Edifice will you please to suggest to him such information as may be adviseable &c I am Dr Sir Yours very truly M Vassar I cheerfully return this letter to Mr, Boyd for his collection of autographso Benson J Los sing Sept. 29, 1862

Creator: Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Date: June 28, 1865
Text: Vassar Female College Poughkeepsie, N. Y. June 28th, 1865 Martin B Anderson … My … Char Pr It is my … to be … at the Junary Meeting of the Board of Trustees on the 9th …, but for fear my health may not permit, I take this … … to ask through you of the Board as special favor to myself and kind friend Rev. … Cekrow. pastor of the first … … … of this city … of the honorary degree of D. D. I am perfectly aware that these distinguished testimonials are too frequently confused where they are the...
Show moreVassar Female College Poughkeepsie, N. Y. June 28th, 1865 Martin B Anderson … My … Char Pr It is my … to be … at the Junary Meeting of the Board of Trustees on the 9th …, but for fear my health may not permit, I take this … … to ask through you of the Board as special favor to myself and kind friend Rev. … Cekrow. pastor of the first … … … of this city … of the honorary degree of D. D. I am perfectly aware that these distinguished testimonials are too frequently confused where they are the least … and most … to one denominations favorite, but occasionallyOrig in Rush Rhees library, Univ of Rochester From the M B Anderson Collectionit may be policy to depart a little use no principle in compromised — I am certain that … as a demon nation of this city at least have word .. … many … that honor was confused upon the Rev. A. M. Manard, M. M. … is the successor of Doct Manard and … over the … & most …enticed congregation in this county, and such a apnt would be much to … the further influence of that … … portion of this community to … College intrust. It therefore no formable objection are raised at the meeting of your word it would be gratifying to one to have this confer the honor, With regard to the “Minimal Cabinet” of … I have had my mind … more … to the subject since the meeting, and especially since have seen the … left with Prof. M. P. Jewett — nothonored professing much expressed in that department of natural service … … be … to … my judgement, … is to say that I regard your … as very raw and such as cannot … command attention from the committee on … “ and I would those for advise this early … I remain dear for yours very respectfully M Vassar Orig in U. of Rochester Rush Rhees library Cop in cat set from the M B Anderson Collection
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Creator: Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Date: n.d.
Text: Hiram Veltman Esq 145 Duane Street NY Dear Sir, yours of the 19th (…) is read and in reply would remark that our College Edifice is drawing near completion and will be finished & furnished by fall next, and at which time or soon thereafter we hope to open. The Board of Trustees hold their annual meeting in June proximo, after which circulars will be sent to the public setting forth times of instruction &c in the College and in fact all other matters pertaining thereto that may be...
Show moreHiram Veltman Esq 145 Duane Street NY Dear Sir, yours of the 19th (…) is read and in reply would remark that our College Edifice is drawing near completion and will be finished & furnished by fall next, and at which time or soon thereafter we hope to open. The Board of Trustees hold their annual meeting in June proximo, after which circulars will be sent to the public setting forth times of instruction &c in the College and in fact all other matters pertaining thereto that may be necessary- If your friend wishes to place her daughter in Institution perhaps an early application will be advisable, as many have already applied. I will place her application on file Yours truly &c
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Creator: Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Date: June 11, 1868
Text: Poughkeepsie June 11th 1868 Professor Chs. S. Farraf Dear Sir Enclosed please to find accompaning this note 42 Continental currency Bills of different valuations amounting to some £206.500 with $3t¥o New York & Spanish curency, which I were presented with last Eve- ning by Mrs. Sarah Robinson & Miss Martha Forbes for the use of the Vassar College. Time is gradualy wearing away these land Marks of by-gone days & therefore the importance of preserving the scanty few in some of our...
Show morePoughkeepsie June 11th 1868 Professor Chs. S. Farraf Dear Sir Enclosed please to find accompaning this note 42 Continental currency Bills of different valuations amounting to some £206.500 with $3t¥o New York & Spanish curency, which I were presented with last Eve- ning by Mrs. Sarah Robinson & Miss Martha Forbes for the use of the Vassar College. Time is gradualy wearing away these land Marks of by-gone days & therefore the importance of preserving the scanty few in some of our public Archives,—You will please to give them a place in Vassar. Your8 Respectfully &c M. Vassar.
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Creator: Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Text: Copy of M. Vassar Seniors Letters on College business --A Anderson Prof: M.13 page 2, 83, 86, 91, Allibone Auspines Dr. 29 --B Babcock Rufus page 11, 12, 46, 64 65,66, 67 Boorman Hans Jr. page 17, 27, Barnard [Honbl] Henry 88. Beecher Henry Ward 97, 99, Bird W.S. 108 Bishop Nathane 121 Blair J L 123 Bragg Miss E E 124 Branstrip Mr J. E 125 Bayard Geo D 125 Brigham Mr Susan C. 128 --C Corning Hon. Erastus page 16, Childs Geo M pag. 26, 48, Coppee Professor W. 32, Clark Alvino[fonso] 35, 36, 37...
Show moreCopy of M. Vassar Seniors Letters on College business --A Anderson Prof: M.13 page 2, 83, 86, 91, Allibone Auspines Dr. 29 --B Babcock Rufus page 11, 12, 46, 64 65,66, 67 Boorman Hans Jr. page 17, 27, Barnard [Honbl] Henry 88. Beecher Henry Ward 97, 99, Bird W.S. 108 Bishop Nathane 121 Blair J L 123 Bragg Miss E E 124 Branstrip Mr J. E 125 Bayard Geo D 125 Brigham Mr Susan C. 128 --C Corning Hon. Erastus page 16, Childs Geo M pag. 26, 48, Coppee Professor W. 32, Clark Alvino[fonso] 35, 36, 37 Church Miss Emma 58. 66, 69, 74. 76, 100, 105, 107. Cuddehy L. A. [fo] 94,95, --D Drexel A.J page 27, Dreer F G 27, 33 Davidson David 39, 41, 57 Daniels H 60,63 Dean Gilbert 63, --E --F Fisher D.R. a fo 89. , -- G Gregory Sam page 21, 71, Germond [Soll] B 119 --H, Hale Sarah J page 85, 91, 92 , 1, 13, 131, 93, 95,96-98-101, 104,115 116 117 120 121 Harris Honbl [Ira].36 Hatch + Partridge42 Hopkins Erastus131 ---I --- Ingersoll Honbl page [38] ---J --- Jewett Prof: page 6. 23, --- K --- Kelley Hon . M. page 4, 102, Kemp Agnes 39, --- L --- --- M --- Meade Revd Hiram page 15 Malcom Rev Howard pag 39 Mitchell Miss Marian pg 57, 59, Morse S. F. B Prop pg 72, 118, Magoon Rev E L DD 72, 74, 76, 78. 103,106. 108 110, 111, 112, 114 115 McKay Miss Mary 113. McColl C E 124 McClure S S 127 --- N --- --- O---- Osborn J.W. Albany pg. 45. ---P--- Porter Prof: John page 9, 22, Pierce Hon G.T 20 Plumb N 42 Pierson Rev Geo 130 ---Q--- ---R--- Renwick JS page 15, 18, 25, 32, 33, 34, 35, 39, 40, 44, 52, 61, 64, 64, 65, Raymond Rev Chs page 42, 52 55, 68, 70, 90. Robinson Luther 44, Raymond Ino H 97, 102, Raymond J.P 126. , --- S --- Swan Cyrus page 7. Stowe Carrie Jr. 41 ---T--- Thompson Hon Ino: page 24. Toffey Anne S page 72. 73, Tytus Rev: A J 127 --- U --- --- V --- Vassars Family in England page 26, ---W--- White John Gpage 5. 19. Wilkinson John 53-56, 60, 61, 62 Willard Anna M 132 Willard E. N 133, ---X --- ---Y--- Youman Professor. Page 1, 2: 8 + page 9, 10. ---Z--- 1 Pokeepsie May 8th 1860 Mrs. Sarah J. Hale Philadelphia My dear Madame Having been temporaly indisposed Since the receipt of your favor of the 30th [Ulto.] with Encloses must be my apology for delaying my answer to the very Kind term in which you are pleased to adverts to my efforts for the promotion of the Education of the young Women of our Country. I am honored in finding my own views So much in harmony with the Sentiments found in Editorials of the Lady s Book and will avail myself of an early opportunity to Secure the Biographical Dictionary [+ca] to which you have alluded, to aid me in the more enlarged Sphere in that department of Knowledge In regard to details respecting the plans, organization for of Vassar College, I deem it premature to present to the public any thing further than what was already been commented on in those articles furnished you by our mutual friend Professor Jewett now in your hands I shall be very glad to see in the Ladys Book to which you refer me Such Suggestions as your mature reflection and practical Knowledge of the Subject may from time to time prompt you to make Very respectfully PoKeepsie March 8 1861 Professor Edward Youman My dear Sir Some weeks Since when you were in our City and at my house I personally made my thanks to you for those books, and wished to know the price [+ ca] you earnestly replied that if I would read the first chapter in Education headed What Knowledge is most worth, you would be compensated. Taking you at your word, I am entitled to withhold my thanks even, for I have read the whole book, thereby more the cancelling of that debt, and if my appreciation of the value of the work could be reduced to money, the author of it might too soon for the Educational public good retire on a compentense. The views and Sentiments therein inculcated are 2 plain demonstration practical ones, such that any common Sense minds might adopt, and just the ones most needed at the present time to counteract the pernicious degenerating principals that are being instilled in the minds of the rising generations of both sexes, dignified by the name of Education. What is generaly taught in Schools tends about as much towards Discipline, self Knowledge, Self preservation, or complete living as the fact My Neighbors Cat Kittened yesterday a laughable but excellent illustration It was my intention and purpose to have acknowledged your Kindness ere this, but my continued ill health with pressing business claims in the matter of my College enterprise have taken up every moment of my Spare time. I shall allways be very happy to hear from you on any Subject especially upon that of Educational progress + development. Yours [+Ca] March 22 1861 Professor E. L. Youman Dr Sir Yours of yesterday is just received and in reply I think you have presumed on too much to ask permission of me to insert in a public way any extracts from my private correspondence with you, not that I am unwilling to confer the benefit of my pen to your Service, but I fear it would be looked upon as a sort of burlesque by the literati of our Country, a humble obscure citizen presuming to intrude in the ranks of polite literature, yet I am So extremely flattered with that idea that I consent willingly if you can derive profit from its publication. [Yours very truly] May 7th 1861 M B. Anderson LLD Dr Sir I have enclosed to your address for Mail this P.M. a Copy of the Proceedings of the Trustees of the V.T.College at 3 their first meeting 26th February last, also a Sample Sheet of Letter Circulars, both of which we think handsomely executed. We are taking all the preliminary Steps to commence the College buildings, have enclosed by fencing in an area of some 6 acres of ground for the [Cite], made one Contract with the builder, and architect, the former in the Sum of $178,200 and $3300, this last includes all plans & drawings and superintendence of the work until completede. We propose to carry up the foundation walls to the first tier of beams this Season, the following to enclose the building, the third season finish ready for occupance in the fall of 64. Some delay have occurred on account our national troubles, impairing Seriously the market value of our assets. The most depressed of these we propose to lay aside, and use only such as will result in the least Sacrifice. Were it not that our expenses for salaried officers [+ca] has been incurred amounting to some $5000 per annum and our Contracts for the Buildings made (alltho the time of Commencing them is discretionally at the option of the Committee) we might reasonably halt. I think according to the present market value of our assets we may place to profit flop account up to the present time $75000 We can put up the first Story of the building at a Cost of about $23000 including first tier of beams. To meet this expenditure we shall have an income from interest account this year of $24000 Less Salaried Officers [+c] 5000 $19000 Leaving a deficit on this years [a/c] $4000 A Crisis is now upon us, whether to halt until the issue of our national troubles are Settled, or to proceed, in One respect the turn of public affairs will be to the advantage of the Contractor, enabling him to buy his materials at reduced prices, also labor will be cheaper, and we may also avail ourselves of a cheap rate of interest by hypothecating our Securities (instead of Selling) to the amount Sufficient to put up the buildings, these and other considerations we have duly weighed, and final resulted in our determination to proceed the work. How are you progressing with your University Buildings? What proportion of the inside or interior work is completed? Does these stirring 4 times disturb the patronage of the Institution? I predict that after our national troubles are amicably adjusted, our northern educational establishments will be better Sustained by our Southern friends than ever. Please let me hear from you Yours respectfully May 13th 1861 Honbl Nm Kelley Dear Sir You may perhaps have learnt thro Some of our Executive Committee that we have completed our building Contract with Mr. Harloe, and which will be finaly executed the present week, but the work will be pushed forward no faster than our available means at fair prices will admit, alltho it is and most probably will be for the interest of M Harloe to proceed more rapidly. At our last figuring of our assets we passed to Profit & Loss account some $60,000 mostly Southern State Stocks, of course we would not think of disposing of them just now, nor in fact any of our securitys at the present market value. Our policy is to hypothecate so much as we may require from time to Time with N. York Life & Trust Co at 6% Interest which rate will insure to us the the loan until our national troubles are once more Settled. When you next visit our City I should like to see you on Some Important matters pertaining to our College affairs. I know that the attractions of your beautiful grounds at this Season of the year Summons up a large degree of courage to leave home, but should your business or pleasure call you here, I should be happy to see you. Most respectfully May 17th 1861 Honbl Nm Kelley Rhinebeck Dear Sir Your kind note of yesterday is just received, while I should be very happy to meet you On Monday next, it so happens that my engagements I fear will deprive me of the pleasure, I will therefore briefly state the chief object of the personal interview. As you are already apprised that our College Ee: Committee have concluded their Contract with the builder M Harloe and will probably 5 expend Some $6 to 7000 over the income in Capital this year and proceed thencefor, as rapidly with the work as good policy may Suggest, it has occurred to me whether we could make an arrangement with the N.Y. Life Insurance Trust Co to furnish us funds as we may from time to time require at a low rate of interest, hypothecating with them ample Securities for Such loans payable at our convenience, and I had hoped my letter would have reached you on Monday last before your departure to the City, however we are in no Special haste, and should you be going to the City again would do us a favor to call on the New York Life & Trust Co and ascertain what arrangement can be made Yours most respectfully 21st May 1861 John E White Esqr Albany Dear Sir I address you first as an old friend, Secondly as a business man & thirdly as President of the Bank of the Capitol. Under the first division allow me to say that our acquaintance has been such that if there were any man on Earth whom I regarded worthy of my esteem & confidence it was yourself. Secondly. Your business qualifications through a long course of years fully confirmed me of your capacity for the faithful and honest discharge of all the duties connected with the Bank, and thirdly your position as Director & subsequently its first officer gave it a character unsurpassed by any other Institution. It was these considerations that induced me mainly to take & hold its stock, and if among the various assets which I transferred over to the Vassar Female College I had been asked which I regarded best among them all, I should have placed the Bank of the Capitol the first on the list, but Since its suspension a Shock has come over me obliterating all confidence in human Institutions and discourages me to proceed with our Enterprise at present for fear that others may also soon share a similar fate, the Corporation having lost up to this time by Southern StateStocks and 1st Mortg: Rail Roads Bonds [+ca] nearly $100000 of their fund & that within the short space of 90 days. May I 6 take the liberty to ask you the question as to the ultimate prospects of the Bank paying its Stockholders_ Please to let me hear from you Soon, So that I may lay the matter before our Boards. Yours respectfully June 14th 1861 Profes: M: P Jewett Dear Sir My engagements of this morning necessarily presented a further exchange of views with you & Matthew upon the matter of our College Salaried officials which were incidentally alluded to this morning, it having previously been hinted but with no especial application to any one, that some line should be drawn constituting the proper charges coming within their especial duties. At the first meeting of the Board of Trustees on the 26th February it did not occur to me that the Salary of any Officer would then commence, nor were I ever consulted or been apprised in any way that such would have been the case, it was therefore asked of me at that time by some present if the Committee recommending your Salary had consulted with me, to which I replyed in the negative, but the act of the Settlement of your Salary having passed the Vote of Bord, Somewhat hurriedly, I said to my friends. I suppose it was all right, as your duties would be both expensive & laborious, to which answer all seemed acquiesce & the presendence of paying Salaries having once began, ground had been broken & opened the way for others to put in their Claims. At that time however, we all expected the work of building & other preparations incident thereto would go forward without delay or as soon as the necessary preliminaries could be made to justify, therefore nothing further was said or done. Since that time great changes in our national affairs effecting our plans & financial means have taken place, and which it were not in the power of the Bord to forsee or reasonably anticipate. In view of these considerations it becomes a question of Enquiry & which will be doubtless instituted at the next meeting of the Bord how far the Executive Committee can be justified in their doings [+ca] 7 I will also here remark that up to the day of the Organization of the Board nothing had passed between you and me with regard to the amount of your Salary and So I expressed myself at the meeting and when the matter was hastily hinted I remarked I supposed it all right under the impression that the $2000 Pr annnum included all incidental expenses that might be incurred by you until the College was opened for pupils. Now you Know me well enough to know that it is far from my purpose to recommend any thing short of a generous & liberal Construction of those early proceedings at the Same time I much desire that nothing should occur to cause dissatisfaction to you or any of our Official Bord. I send you this brief exposition of my views in order that a fair understanding may be had at next meeting in regard to what constitute proper charges to the College. Yours truly June 23rd 1861 C. Swan Secretary to Vassar Female College Dear Sir I am just in receipt of your note of this morning transmitting an official resolution passed by the Board of Trustees of Vassar Female College at their meeting yesterday requesting me as the Founder of that Institution to sit for a full length portrait by the distinguished artist Charles L. Elliot Esq of New York City which portrait is to be preserved in the College Edifice. In reply I would most respectfully return my thanks to your honorable Board for this distinguished Compliment, personally I feel myself unworthy of such marked respects, and can only consent to the request in consideration of the object and source from which it eminates. You will please inform your Committee Professor Jewett, Dr Nathan Bishop and Revd E L. Magoon whom have the same in charge, that I will be prepared to sit at the Artist Studio at any time most convenient to himself. I remain Yours Truly 8 31st August 1861 Professor Edward L. Youman Saratoga Springs My dear Sir The time is near at hand when we shall be ready for the imposing Ceremony of laying the Corner Stone of the V.F College 1st Oct proximo, and as our views of Female Education are so much in harmony and my health and time are both unfavorable to devote myself in making Suitable preparations for that occasion, I have a desire to avail myself of your thought on that Subject, am to request the favor of soliciting the Outline of an address to be read by me on that interesting and important crisis in the Colleges history. I am happy, very happy to find public sentiment so favorably impressed with our plan & Enterprise. When our plans were first made public they were met with many discouraging objections, Suggestive as to its practicability on so extensive a scale as we proposed, but time & reflection have I am rejoiced to find won for us numerous friends & that from the circle of the most highly educated minds in this Country. We are daily in receipt of Communications from the most distinguished gentlemen & Ladies of both hemespheres soliciting information of our System & the period of the Colleges commencement Nothwithstanding the financial crisis we have so managed our funds as be enabled to carry forward the College building to the Commencement of the Second Story and will with part of the Second tier of beams completed by the 15th Novb. The first tier is now being placed thereon. We leave a Space open in the Centre ingress or main front door of the building for to place the Corner Stone which on closing up leaves the Edifice Walls Completed to the 2nd Story. I shall be happy to have your honor us with your presence on the occasion of that Ceremony of which you will have proper notice hereafter. My purpose of addressing you this morning was as above stated to afford you time to throw together a few thoughts upon the subject referred and I will add such of mine as time and Circumstances will Suggest and permit. My general health is tolerable good but am still suffering a little from an attack of paralysis two years ago. Please 9 to let me hear from you very Soon. Yours truly PS: I do not expect to trespass upon your time without some consideration, therefore please allow me the privilege to bear that in mind. Sept. 5th 1861 Professor E.L. Youman Saratoga Springs Dear Sir Your kind note of yesterday is before me, and hasten to reply in the midst of very pressing College engagements. The Committee on the Ceremonies of laying the Corner Stone of the V.F. College have been confering with the Professor Raymond of Brooklyn, Dr Adams and Dr Chapin of N.Y. City to take part in the addresses on that occasion, they had written them without my Knowledge. The Honbl. Edward Everett was invited & expected to deliver the address, but other pressing Engagements after a delay of some weeks of consideration now prevents him accepting the invitations. With reference to the preparatory remarks intimated in my last which I wanted you to supply, they must be confined chiefly to the main Subject. The Female her Education s her Sphere and availability for the greatest usefulness in life, and the best process to impart it [+ca]. I suppose the whole of the entire Ceremonies ought not to occupy over 3 hours, addresses therefore must be short but comprehensive {+c +ca]. With these hasty remarks, I part with you untill your proposed visit to PoKeepsie. Yours truly Sept. 11th 1861. Professor John A. Porter Rochester New Haven Dear Sir Circumstances have prevented an earlier reply to your kind favor of the 28th [Ullo] I fully appreciate the considerations presented touching a visit to Europe by Doctor Fisher our prospective Professor of Chemistry The advantages to the College would be real, substantial and 10 of great value aside from the Eclat therewith attending. Under this view I laid your communication before our Executive Committee which has charge of all questions connected with our finances. After a full discussion, they concluded that they are not at liberty at this point in our Enterprise to Employ any portion of the College funds for the purposes Suggested at the same time it Seemed to be the opinion of the members, that after the Professor has been actually appointed, Say next June; or at the latest, in the following February _ then the desired aid may be properly rendered. Permit me to ask would it not be better for Professor Jewett to defer his visit abroad untill the 1st of July next. If the College does not open before Setr. 1864, as is now contemplated he would then have two full years in Europe, could avail himself of the latest discoveries up to the time of Entering on the duties of his Chair; and could attend to the purchase or manufacturing of such apparatus as must be procured from the old world. Thanking you for your Kind interest in our institution, and trusting that Doctor Fishers wishes will be gratified in due time I am respectfully Octr 11th 1861 Professor E. L Youman Saratoga Springs Dear Sir I am just in receipt of your favor of the 4th current, but ill health has not permitted an earlier reply. I now would beg to remark that the paper you left with me last month for perusal have been received Since you read it over to me, at which time my mind was quite occupied with recent family afflictions and other exciting interests which rather disqualified me to judge of its merits at that time. Upon further examination I do not think it a Suitable document for the Laying of the Corner Stone of the College it is too elaborate and lacks pithiness & points for such a ceremony, it would more Suitable for the Opening of the Institution. By referring to my letter of the 31st August you will notice that I merely asked you to throw 11 together a few thoughts on an Outline on Female Education, which would perhaps be suggestive of interest in my opening address on that occasion adding by P.S that I would ward you some consideration therefore However without further preamble I desire to do what is right in the premises, and now ask whether you could reduce this charge within the Compass of the Circumstances which called for the Same Yours truly 23d Octr 1861 Rev. Rufus Babcock DD Patterson J.J. Dear Sir I have been considering over the Suggestions you were so obliging as to make in relation to the internal organization of the educational departments of Vassar Female College, the hints so happily expressed as a preparatory Measure ere the institution is fully completed, meets my entire approbation. The idea is a good one viz: as soon as possible prepare a few teachers ready for the dutys of instruction at as early a day after the building is enclosed as possible. In the matter of day pupils I am more and more convinced by reflection, that it will never answer. It is just as important that we have our Scholars under our own control as the Colonel of a Brigade when going into battle _ there furloughs & passes are never granted without absolut necessity. What I regard as an essential element of our Institution is the perfect Control of the pupils during the period of their instruction in the College, any thing Short of this is a yielding up of our immediate guardianship, while the responsibility remains, happen what may to these young thoughtless creatures in a moral point of view the College must incur the Odium As to the Economy of the two plans there cannot be a doubt, and it is this very feature in our bording System that will largely augment the profits, when our large public Hotels Secure a certain number of regular borders to furnish the table, further addition is dear gain. I would even go further and insist upon a Uniform Costume for all the young ladies to be furnished by the College and here again we make a Savings to the patrons. I will leave it to your own reflection how easily this can be accomplished by employing Suitable persons to 12 contract for the work. I received this morning a letter from Dr Hague apologizing for his inattention to my letters, absence & other Engagements prevented he expresses great interest in our enterprise Professor Jewett is still absent, he gives a glowing account of our College enterprise throughout the Country he has visited it is too long and too flattering for me to relate _ Suffice to say it meets with highest [enconuin] among the Literati With much regards I remain Yours truly_ Octr 31st 1861 Rev Rufus Babcock DD Patterson N.J. My dear friend I was duly favored with your kind note of Saturday 26th Current, and even hoping to discover that our views in the matter of college discipline were so much in unison. While the wisest of us are but relatively perfect in the most Simple things of human life, it is not Strange that new and untried experiments should tax our energies to the utmost and after all prove failures. In the management of our Scheme it might be well to diverge a little from the Common track even if nothing is gained but novelty. Speaking of tracks reminds me of a Capital arrangement adopted Some years Since on your N.J.R: Road where we can learn the extraordinary fact that since its organization 36 Millions of persons have ridden in their cars without the loss of life or limb while occupying their seats Such fidelity to duty on the part of the Employees has been owing to a liberal bonus paid every three months to such of them whose rout- no accident has happened but with a fine or dismission if any thing goes wrong for want of diligence. Let us make a note of this and emulate the carefulness of the very oldest R.R Co in the nation, and the only one who pays a bonus to fidelity, not that I would over Stimulate young brains for I do not believe with the majority of Parents that the more hours their children study at School the faster they learn no more than the larger quantity of food they eat the fatter they grow, or that every hour taken from sleep is one gained Such are not my views, nor would I contend because the dirtiest children in the Street, are the most hearty and healthy, 13 therefore cleanliness is a Superfluity, - but I do go for mental stimulus of some sort and for daily exposure to the pure air in joyous unrestrained activity in spite of rags & filthe. And it is with reference to these exercises that I chased the spacious grounds at Mill Cove, but waving further Suggestions on modes of discipline I would briefly in my closing remarks say, that my visit to Mill Cove yesterday enables me to inform you that our Workmen will all be discharged from College buildings on the 5th proximo, when the 2nd Story or Basement portion will be completed. The Artists Messrs Elliot and Wright have furnished their pictures and we are now engaged placing them temporaly up in the C. B. Church. Prof. Jewett is still absent in his professional tour at the East, his last letter under date the 26th Current was written from Boston, having visited all the Institutions of learning in that City, his next visit is Providence to Browns University, Mt. Holyoke Female Seminary and other Institutions. Yours very truly. November 13th 1861 Miss Sarah J. Hale Editor of the Godeys Book Philadelphia Dear Madame I am just in receipt of your esteemed favor of yesterdays date and it gives me great pleasure to notice the deep and continued interest you take in our Enterprise the V. F College, and more especially as its incipient beginning has fallen amidst our great national troubles which absorbs all the other minor interest, under these Considerations your kind Co=operation to aid my Scheme come, with peculiar Satisfaction all this time. On the 5th Current the Contractor completed the two first sections of the Edifice (Cellar & Basements) including the Second tier of Beams, which is one section or story more than we anticipated to do this Season, we hope to. finish the building by the Spring of 1864 or sooner Our President M. [P] Jewett returned home last Saturday from a Professional tour of a months absence among Eastern Colleges 14 & Schools with reference to the Modern improvements of Instructions [+ca +ca] during which time he visited Dartmouth, Harvard, Yale & Amherst Colleges Browns University, the most prominent Female Seminaries in New England including Mount Holyoke, the Boston Schools for Girls, the City Library & Athenaum of Boston, the Athenaum of Providence and the Astor Mercantile & N York Historical Society & Libraries of New York. The Libraries of Colleges and Literary Societies with Special reference to the Library of V:F: College. The Trustees are also availing themselves of the advantages of these War Times to purchase their Library, Works of Art Mineral Cabinets [+ca]. I send you per this days mail the PoKeepsie Telegraph in which you will find its Columns under the Signature of Cu:T:R: Critisism upon the respective artistic merits of two Life = size likeness on Canvass of your humble Servant, the first executed by Charles L. Elliote, the seconde by J.H. Wright both artist of celebrity of the City of New York, the former was ordered by our Bord of Trustees for the use of the College & Cash of $1200, the latter by myself some year or two ago and only finished a week or two Since. This last I propose for the Bord of Trustees of the Rochester University of which I am a member. I am obliged to Mr Godey for his kindness in sending me the Ladys Book had I received it should have acknowledged the favor, I heard from a friend that you had published an article on V.F: C:. I could not procure the Number here at our Book Stores, but sent to the N. York for One. Please to say to Mr Godey to send me his Book as a regular Subscriber, commencing with the October Number, and for which I herewith enclose $3 in Advance _ the Article enclosed to me in your letter I have caused to be placed in my scrap book with Sundry other articles pertaining to the V.F C: I remain [+ca] 15 March 15th 1862 Revd. Hiram Meade South Hadley Mass: Revd and dear Sir Being informed by President Jewett of the deep interest in our educational enterprise manifested by yourself and the Teachers of the Mount Holyoke Female Seminary, and of the kindness and courtesy with which he was treated on the occasion of his late visit to your institution, I take the liberty to express my grateful appreciation of your Christian Catholic Spirit by forwarding the accompanying volumns as a donation to the Library of your Seminary. With high admiration of the noble aims and distinguished Success of your institution I am dear Sir Very respectfully 1. Copy of Milmans Latin Christianity, half Calf antique dark $16 1 Copy of Macanlays Essays half Morocco gilt..12.00 marked Heiram Mead South Hadley. Mass Secretary of the Trustees of the Mt. Holyoke Female Seminary Decbr 2d 1861 James Renwick Jr. Dear Sir At a Meeting of the V.F. College Executive Bord this morning a resolution was offered and approved that I should address you per mail, Soliciting an answer to the following Enquiries which informations is necessary in order to afford Wm. Harloe the opportunity to make timely Calculation upon his work under his Contract with the Trustees First Is there any advantage to be derived in the goodness of the Structure by an earlier completion than is called for by the Contract, if so please to State the facts. Seconde. If the Walls of the Building are carried up to the third tier of beams next Summer, would any detriment be likely to occur if it Stood over uncovered untill the proceeding Spring Thirde. Do you think it prudent for the Committee to allow the Structure to be completedly enclosed the ensuing Summer 1862 Can it be done so with equal advantage to the building and its 16 Safety [+ca] ?, the Roof timbers & framing being an expensive and important item, would it not be adviseable to take the Summer Season 1863 to execute that part of the work than to hurry its execution through the fall & perhaps winter months 1862? Will you please to consider these questions, and write me by return mail with other Suggestions you may deem essential to Communicate Yours very truly Decbr 13th (19th) 1861 Honbl Erastus Corning Albany Dear Sir Your Personal favor of the 16th Current in reply to my inquirys of the 13th [insl;] is received and I thank you kindly for the valuable Suggestions therein contained, the importance of which advise will Strengthen my previous judgment and shall with more confidence urge our Bord to hold on to the N.Y: Central Stock to the last necessity of the Case. In any view of the Subject 1 I cannot see how the present agitations of the Country can seriously damage its income _ the surplus produce of the West must find market mainly through these Channels and England & France is becoming more & more dependant upon us for breadstuffs, I therefore do not fear any material falling off business from their great arteries of our inland Commerce I have not been from home for a year or two first partly on acct of health & partly from occupation about my College Scheme, but have often that a desire to see my old friends & hope I may have the pleasure of seeing you at PoKeepsie next Spring as soon. Yours truly 1 Debr 13th 1861 Honbl. Erastus Corning Dear Sir I hope the motive for the following enquiry will be a satisfactory apology for making them. Our V.F.College holds among other Aspects some [800] Shares of N.Y. Central Stock 17 The Trustees are not building the College Edifice and of course must convert a portion of these securities into ready money as they progress with the work. Some of their College Assets they wish to retain as a permanent income fund, and the Subject has been up before the Executive Bord on several occasions about selling N.Y. Central while myself, my Nephew & few others of the Bord have advocated the holding one to the entire amount of the Stock. Now my dear Sir, can you with perfect propriety afford me your confidential opinion. Such opinion I shall regard very highly. The information Sought is solely for my own personal use to go no further. Yours very truly, Janry 10th 1862 Honbl James Boorman New Yorke Dear Sir Allow me to tender you the Compliments of the Season may this new period of time find you in good health, and that your life may be prolonged to accomplish all your cherished purposes for further usefulness, and of which it has been so highly distinguished in the past. I was just now thinking over some of the incidents which first brought us together at your domicil in Washington Square to talk over the project of the Hudson RR Road now some 16 years ago. At that meeting there Some One half of that little assembly who have since departed this life. Oh! the fleetness of time, it Scarcely Seems possible for in its rapid flight save here and there have I at least left any monuments to mark its progress, - but to pass over these reminiscences permit me to enquire of you how goes matters with our H:R.R.Roade? what think you of the 3de Mortgage Bonds? The Trustees of our College to whom I assigned these which I first took of you they still hold, and I have recommended their exchanging off New York Bank Blocks at about the Same present market value for more of the Hudson River thirds, - am I right in so doing, do you still hold yours 3de? if so, I feel safe to recommend the Trustees to make the Exchange perhaps however I am troubling you with an enquiry which with propriety you might withold 18 an answer, but my apology is above Selfishness it is for the especial benefit of a public Institution, and shall not be made further use of them to fortify my own judgment in the matter. Do you often visit the City, if so, I should be pleased to see you, either at my Office or House whenever you can make it convenient. I address this Note to you in the City, presuming it will find you more readily at this Season of the year Yours very truly Janry 11th 1862 Jas Renwick Jr. Dear Sir I have had my mind much occupied of late upon the Subject of Heating and Ventilation of the College, and the more I have reflected upon the Subject, the more its importance grew in magnitude, not that both Subjects have not been closely Studied by you in your excellent plans, but whether you have fully considered the Effects of the air after being heated upon the vigor and health of its inmates. We all know that the Normal Condition of this Element undergoes a great change by heat, that its relative chemical Combination is altered and consequently its effects upon the human System more or less unpleasant if not unhealthy, for instance air heated much above its mean temperature (: 65 a 10 deg) and then permitted to cool down (and the same also in the Case of Water) have not an Equal invigorating quality as it had in its natural Condition _ it has parted with or displaced a portion of its vital Constituant properties and Every boor knows this who have been Subject to its influence in apartments that have been overheated and left to cool to an agreeable point of resperation. I am not speaking of air rendered impure by physical causes but the derangement of its properties by artificial causes, and if which we all admit, we feel such effects in breathing the open atmosphere (a particular times from inexplicable natural causes, and why should we aggravate it by allowing an occurrence so sad in our artificial provisions. There perhaps are more minds now engaged in studying the System of heating & Ventilation, than at any former period, and I am informed 19 that in the City of Philadelphia this Subject is in advance of other places, but whether they have arrived at the Ne plus ultra of the matter, I do not know. I think the success of our College depends much upon the reputation it can maintain for the health of its Pupils _ if thro bad ventilation Sickness Should occur it would be ascribed by the public at Once to the unhealthy locality of the College and not to the imperfect ventilation. Is it not therefore important that we Should at once determine upon the best and improved System before we advance further with the building what I could desire is to secure a most perfect circulation of pure air throughout the whole building and that its purification should not impair its vital and invigorating properties _ Can this be done? and how? thats the question, and I want you to give the Subject all the additional consideration that your time will permit, ere we finally and fully decide on our plans of heating & ventilating [+ca]. I have now before me Several plans for warming & ventilating public buildings, all of which and many more you have doubtless seen as they come especially within the scope of your profession. With the Compliments of this festival Season and thanks for your kindness of the Card to visit the Honbl W.H. Asperwalls Gallery I remain __ 30th Janry 1862 John G. White Esq Albany Dear Sir It is an old proverb that there is no use of crying over Spilt Milknor can nor can that which is lacking be numbered . I understand from my nephew M.Vassar Jr who has just returned from your City this morning that you were absent, but he had an interview with Some of the Directors of the late Bank of the Capitol and from all he could learn there would be but little left of the Assetts after paying the Bill holders and depositors, consequently our College fund of $8,000 in that Bank is all entirely lost, were this my own or were it a corporate property for private emoluments, nothing further could be said or done but quietly submit to the loss, but that a charitable institution for the poor and friendless and destitute Orphan 20 children should be thus So Summeraly deprived of so large a Sum is deeply to be deplored, and I would appeal to you and those of your associates in the late Bank wether there is not any means whereby that claim can be saved for the College, God knows the Institution has lost enough by the cursed Rebellion to discourage our Trustees, and had the buildings not be commenced would ceased to have been built for the present, I do hope you will lay this Subject before the gentlemen having charge of settling up the affairs of the Bank, I know Mr Reed, Schuyler and few others will do all they can to save this debt to our College, and I am now confident you will unite your influence in that direction as not one dime of the institution inures to individual benefit, but is entirely benevolent in its Ends and purposes. May I not hope that my old friend Mr. White will write me soon, and give me some encouragement in the matter of this enquiry. I remain February 5th 1862._ Honbl. Geo: T: Pierce Albany Dear Sir! I intended had my health permitted to have availed myself of an opportunity of coming up to your city to have conferred with you personally with reference to an amendment of the Vassar Female College Charter, so as to Secure it from taxation altho Some of its friends are of opinion that it is already exempt under the Revised Statments with references to Such Cases. I am perfectly aware that this is quite an unpropritious time to ask the Legislature for abatement of taxes, when the Country is exercising all its energies to adjust a Schedule of Reverses to meet expenses consequent upon this wicked rebellion, yet it would seem hardly just or proper to tax publish charitable institutions as is the case of the College as not a dollar of its income or its profits inure to private emolument but is strictly and exclusively a Charitable in all its operations, as every dollar of its income after paying expenses of its conductment goes to the gratutious Education of beneficiaries 21 [niorevver] the College fund ($408 000) have Suffered quite a reduction by the depreciation of its assets consequent upon the war of full 33% of its Capital, add to which fact that the Trustees had made the Contact for the building before the Rebellion broke out and consequently have been obliged to proceed with their work, and dispose of the funds at great reduction from par Value so that in every view of the Case it would Seem just & proper that the College should be exempt from all taxation of every kind & nature. M Swan has doubtless Stated all this matter fully to you and therefore will not enlarge further on the subject. respectfully February 14th 1862 Boston Saml. Gregory M D Sec: N. E. Female Med: College Dear Sir Refering to my brief note of the 9th I have now to acknowledge Copies of yours [8th] and 12th. annual Reports of the New England Female Med. College also Letter to [Cadres] in favor of Female Physician [+ca] all of which I have perused with satisfaction and it gives me pleasure to find that my views on the Subject of which they treat are So much in harmony with your published Sentiments. It is a little remarkable that in this enlightened Era how the human mind is haunted with old prejudices, and all efforts in a wide Step at progress denounced as fanatical. Job was about right when he told his poor comforters that no doubt wisdom would die with them. Is there any good reason why females Should not receive as high a standard of mental Culture in certain departments of Knowledge as males enjoy, nothing but prejudice and Custom as you justly observe hinder this _ Woman is capable of higher elevation in these Spheres than the notions of Society has hitherto tolerated, and these deprivations are resulting in her degredation especially in our large cities which have drawn within their vortex So many thousands of young intelligent females Seeking honorable Employments Is it not cruel therefore to impose a large share of intelligence upon any class, and then deny them the possibility of its practical benefits _ does it not aggravate their Condition If ignorance is bliss 22 it were folly to be wise, Knowledge must have its appropriate aliment to Subsist upon. Woman in the Sphere of Medical practice especially among her own Sex is a happy idea and ought not to be denied to her, and I fondly hope to live to see the day when she will occupy also a place in , the refined arts and professions suited to her capacities and moral delicacy as some of her Sex are enjoying in the literary world. It is not the purpose of the Trustees of the V: F: College to establish a medical Professorship but Some arrangements will be provided for Pupils who wishes to become practitioner in that department of Study. I congratulate you as one of the early pioneers in this line of human progress and hope your valuable life will be spared to see your object Secured and its beneficance universally acknowledged. With much respect Febry. 16th 1862_ Honbl. [S: a:] Porter Assembly Room Albany Dear Sir Yours of the 14th Current was duly received but at moment of pressing business engagement, which induced me to hand it over to Sectry C. Swan Esq for reply. I have Since understood that the has done so. In the matter of the Exemptive of our College from Taxation under the Revised Statutes, I presume it is emphatically so as you State, yet as the College holds a much larger quantity of Lands (: in a Single enclosure) than might be Supposed necessary for its legitimate uses, a question might arise hereafter with our assessors whether this Surplus might not be taxed, and it is to avoid such questions that we now seek a special exemption at the hands of the legislatures. Be assured dear Sir that not one dime of the V.F College gifts or donation, inures to the benefit of a person or Corporation whatever but is exclusively benevolent & beneficiary in its character Yours very truly 23 February 15th 1862 Professor Jewett Dear Sir Since our last interview I have been considering the matter of your visit to Europe and how far the College interest. could be promoted thereby, and how far our Bord of Trustees would be willing to bear a part of your Expenses. Without any further capacity to judge of the advantages to be derived by such a visit than I now possess, and especially in view of the Bord of Trustees willingness to extend its aid to Professor Fisher for a Similar object, is there not Some fear that both might be defeated. All Such incidental benefits as above referred, would be of little advantage unless the Corporation have funds Sufficient to erect their College buildings & complete its internal arrangements, - failing in these would result in much greater damage to the constitution than the failure of any one intuitimal department, and had I not already suffered So much in my own pecuniary affairs, and my health was sufficiently good to give to it the most perfect Supervision, I would not only advise the trip but would be willing to defray all extra expenses. My maxim in all human policys is viz: whatever you do, do well _ if it is to cut off a limb, do it quickly & thoroughly lasting no more time & no less of it than is necessary for the health and good of the patient, So with our College, if once completed and handsomely furnished, Our grounds tastely & nicely laid out, we can then move forward, slowly perhaps, but nevertheless more safely_ as is the laws of the natural world, rapidity of growth always presension rapidity of decay_ however laying aside these methaphysically illustrations_ I am perfectly willing to afford you the opportunity to make the visit and for keeping up your Salary during your absence and I cannot but think that it would redound greatly to your advantage if you would thus Signify to the Bord your willing- ness to avail yourself of so noble expression of your generosity by bearing your own expenses _ if they would continue your Salary Yours truly 24 March 5th 1862 Honbl John Thompson PoKeepsie Dear Sir Through a Kind intimation from you at the late meeting of our Trustees, I understood that some of your generous and public Spirited friends have the Control of a valuable Collection of Minerals, which they may think proper to dedicate to the Service of the Community. Permit me to Suggest, there is no way in which the present proprietors can confer Such distinguished honor on the memory of the deceased Collector and owner of the Collection: no way by which they can give Such Substantial benefits to the public at large, not only for the present time, but for all future generations, as to the present the Collection to the Vassar Female College an institution which it is reasonable to expect, will attract Students and patrons and visitors from all parts of our whole united and extended Country and even foreign lands. The Surviving friends can build no prouder monument to Science and intelligence of their departed relatives, Can give no higher proof of their own enlightened and liberal views. If the donation Shall be made to Vassar College, I pledge myself as follows: 1st It shall have a conspicous place by itself in the mineralogical Department 2. The name of the Collector am late Proprietors with that of the benevolent Donor of the College, Shall be displayed in letters of gold over the Collective. Feeling assured that you will appreciate the importance of the Suggestions, and that you will be most happy to use your influence in carrying them into effect I am truly Yours [+ca] 25 March 7th 1862 Jas Renwick Jr. New York My dear Sir, Your favor of the 4th Just: is at hand and notice your Several remarks, Comments [+ca+] especially with regard to the policy of the roofing the College Building the ensuing Season and I have only to repeat what I have before expressed this it is my advise So to shape all our arrangements to accomplish that end if possible well knowing it will inure not only to the best good of the Edifice but to the pecuniairy interest of the College funds, - when a vessel is half across the ocean with a fair wind, altho in a leaky condition, it is better to stear for her the first port than to Stand Still or return back for repairs. I am therefore for going onwards with all that energy as prudence will admit. So as to open the institution at an early day as possible & thus change Outlays for income. You will have doubtless Seen Prof Jewett this week ere you left to day for Washington. You had better come up next monday, when we can talk over matters with our joint Committees. Yours [+ca] March 13th 1862 Js. Renwick Jr. Esqr New York Dear Sir We had a meeting of the College Executive Bord this morning, the main topic before them was the Suggestion and request of Mr. Harloe that he might be permitted to push forward the College building faster than the Contract called for so as to complete the roofing the present Season, this being a matter involving not only a question of policy in the goodness and permency of the work, but of its practibility to insure Such results within the time mentioned. We have adjoined the Subject over untill next Monday morning 10 oclock Am at which time please to meet with our borde. Yours very truly 26 March 15th 1862 To the Messr Vassar Families that my be living in East Tuddingham or other parts of the County of Norfolk England. Dear Relatives The bearer Professor Milo: P Jewett, [President] of the Vassar Female College, now in process of Construction visits Europe on a professional turn in behalf of the Coporators of the above named Institution and especially England and Scotland and is desirous to see the native town and borough where the founder (: the undersigned) was born, and if the Old Homestead is Still Standing, to make or cause to be made Some pencil Sketches of the premises for the purposes of Photographing it to be placed among the archives of the College. Any Services or facilities you can conveniently render to President Jewett will be regarded as a particular favor by your relative am Most of humble serv[ice] March 14th 1862 Geo. N Childs 628 & 630 Chestnut Street Philadelphia Dear Sir I am this morning in receipt of your note of the 8th Current addressed to my nephew John G. Vassar whom has requested me to reply, and it affords me such pleasure to do so especially as you Speak in Such warm terms of our Institution the Vassar Female College under Such like encouragements our hands & hearts are greatly Strengthened to push to Completion at an early day our long cherished enterprise, I shall avail myself of an early moment to forward to the addresses of the honbl. Gentlemen you have been so kind to bring to my notice a Pamphlet of the Proceedings of the [Truste &,] With respect PS Since writing the above I have concluded to send by this mail to your address 10 Copies of the proceedings of the Trustees at their first meeting in February 1861 for the gentlemen referred to 27 March 25th 1862 A.J.Drexel Esqr Banker Philadelphia Dear Sir At the Suggestion of George W. Childs Esq. I take the liberty to forward you a pamphlet containing the proceedings of the First Meeting of the Trustees of Vassar Female College I trust you will find these proceedings not devoid of interest to an intelligent and generous mind, fully appreciating the importance of educating the mothers of coming generations. You will perceive I have not followed the example of your townsman, Stephen Girard; I prefer to be my own executor and See my money faithfully and judiciously expended under own eye. If God please to Spare my life, I hope to witness great & blessed results, flowing from these investments. Permit me to express the desire, that other in your great Metropolis possessing liberal means may have hearts of large benevolence. With much respect March 25th 1862 T.J.Dreer Goldsmith Hall, Philadelphia Dear Sir (A Similar letter as the above to A.J Drexel:) March 26th 1862 Honbl. James Boorman Washington Square New York My very dear friend I am this morning in receipt of your Kind favor of the 22nd Current and do not Know which to admire most, the Steady unfaltering hand which wielded the pen or the vigorous mind that directed it. At all events these is evidence of one fact that age nor infirmities have made but Slight impressions upon either. Waving further preliminarys of introduction, allow me to say, that I price your Suggestions in the matter of Stock Investments very highly and shall not be in haste to part with mine or the College H.R.R. Bonds 28 Seeing you Still hold no less on your account than 45000 dollars in the latter, - true as you justly remark All Confidence is greatly Shaken in All Human Securities by the destitution of moral principles in those we have confided, but then the absence of any virtue proves that is does exist Somewhere, let us hope therefore for the best. It was a Singular coincidence that your old friend Peter Cooper Esq Should happen just the time to be talking over the reminiscences of past years and that on the very evening previous, and more especially should have occasion to allude to the trifling incident of Selling me a Woolen Shearing Machine as my thoughts had just then been rambulating over that period of my life. The fact was, that it was my brother in Law Geo Booth an English manufacturer residing in PoKeepsie whom negotiated for the Machine, but as I was interested in the Establishment I paid Mr. Cooper for it. Booth was the first man that up a Woolen Carding Machine in the State of New York. [Slater] of Providence R I. was the first to put up one in America. I think this was about the year (I may be mistaken in the precise date) of the great Eclipse of the Sun 1806). So far at least you were right that I was devoted to clothing Outward Man but my chief business for most part of my life was with John Barley Corn by Joe John and now in my latter days am striving to enlarge the facilities of the Moral and intellectual Man and only regret I did not begin my work sooner. I trust however that the Cistern will not break nor the fountain be dry untill I have accomplished my plans & purposes on earth. It is as you justly remark a melancholy reflection to look over our distressed Country, what a Sad commentary upon human wisdom, what unimaginable depths of misery have a few months of this Rebellion entailed upon this once happy land my heart feels sad in its contemplation and where it not for the truth that the Lord God omnipotent reigneth Should soon be discouraged. You have been pleased to allude Cojointly to Mr. Cooper and yourself and associated my name with you in trying to do something 29 for the good of posterity. M. Girard left a fund of $2,000,000 of which portion (perhaps Say 2 to 300,000 he would have deemed Sufficient) was to be used for the erection of a plain Substantial building void of ornament the interest of the ballance was to support the Institution. All but 8,000 dollars of the principal (: i e: $ 1,992,000) was spent in the erection of a Splendid palace and out buildings (and this item of Expense has Since been increased) fortunately for his design he bequeathed all of his Estate that might be needed for its Execution. In the Peabody Institution of Baltimore vast Sums have been expended in buildings which could (I think) been better used. What a Contrast this with Coopers benevolence (see Sectry. Henrys Report of the Smithsonian institution just published. The Smithsonian Institution, at the City of Washington which was established for the benefit of mankind, is not a national Institution as many Suppose, but the Government is merely a Trustee to carry out the design of the Testator. The amount of that Bequest was (I think) Some half a Million of dollars. It holds perhaps from 1/3 to of its funds in Southern State Stocks, how much of it will be realised time can only determine. John Lowell Jr of Boston profiting by the Errors of others, directed that not a dollar Should be invested in Bricks and Mortar of his bequest, consequently the Capital remains to afford a large income, and rooms are hired for Lectures, - but I will not tax your patience any longer. Should you be visiting Po[:!] I should be happy to have you call and See me, as much so as a Sovereign known as Sovereign Your most obe[dient] March 26th 1862 Dr. S: Austin Allibone care of Geo W Childs 628 & 630 Chestnut Street Philadelphia My very dear Sir I were put duly in receipt of your kind letter of the 21st [inst:] with enclosures, and if there is any one thing more than others to encourage my hands and heart in the enterprise that I have so long cherished and have now begun to execute the Vassar Female College it is just Such generous heartfelt responses of approval from gentlemen 30 holding Such position in life as yourself. I cannot express to you how happy it makes me to receive Such high testimonials of my poor efforts in behalf of humanity, and I beg your fellowship at the throne of Grace that all things will work together for its full and final completion. It is a Sad Commentary upon the Wisdom of man to witness Such wasteful prodigalities of Estates like Gerards & others so ruinously misapplied & lost, and if there is any one fact that will impress our wealthy citizens to become their own Executors it will be Such examples as you have cited. Referring to your enclosed article Robert Chambers in America I have carefully perused the paper. William Chambers I have had the honor of a Short acquaintance as well as of Some Correspondence (: 1838) before I commenced my College, but it so happened to be afforded me but little encouragement, and he took the pains after his return to Scotland to have his reasons put in type, like your Cut me off and pass me round and among other prospectus enclosed of Scottish institutions for the Education of young ladies, one in Moray Place Edingburgh he says was a sample pupils numbering about 120 but it did not succeed well, and then asks would it not be well for me to consider whether any gigantic Collegiate Establishment would not be liable to fall into the common Error! but I will quote the whole of the Second paragraph of this letter. The plan of boarding educating your persons of either Sex in large benificiary establishments has latterly attracted much Serious consideration in Edingburgh, which possesses a number of institutions of this nature. The more closely the working of these institutions has been examined, the less reason is there to be satisfied with the principle of Seclusion inherent in their arrangements and it is now a pretty general belief that it would be a blessing to the Country if they were all abolished, and their funds appropriated to general purposes of education. Such being the case the proposal to establish, somewhere in the United States, an establishment for the board and education of as many as 5 or 600 girls, fills one with astonishment and consternation. 31 Let me endeavor to point out briefly the defects to which all Such establishments must necessarily be Subject He then proceeds to give his reasons, but being too lengthy to transcribe in this letter must omit them. You have been pleased to allude to your making a Visit to Poughkeepsie which I Sincerely hope you will, I Should be happy to have you call upon me my health is somewhat feeble but hope to improve as the warm Season advance I remain [+ca} PS. I return you the Slip Cut from the American Gazette of 22d Septr 1860 as per request. I Should however liked to retain it as it is a better account of the Chambers, than I have seen published. March 29th 1862 Honbl. J.R. Ingersoll I.I.D Philadelphia Dear Sir Alltho your note of the 25th inst: acknowledging the receipt of the pamphlet of the proceedings of the Trustees of the V: F: College did not necessarily imply my troubling your further, yet I could not let the opportunity pass without tendering you my profound thanks for the Kind and honorable manner you have been pleased to Speak of my humble enterprise, i:e: The erection [+ca] of an Institution for a more liberal education of females. I assure you dear Sir that Such testimonials from my fellow citizens greatly encouraging me especially as some of my correspondents in this & foreign lands had expressed doubts of its Successful results based chiefly upon the arguments of its unexampled magnitude, but in most of these instances cited as failures was where the Testator trust had been abused, therefore was not applicable to my own case. Your own Gerard noble Orphan College Institution was Saved with Millions endowment, Simply because the Ballance of his Estate (after its Completion) by his will Should inure to its benefit. I presume however even in this case a large amount of the Outlay would have been saved, had he undertaken it while living I Shall be happy to receive from the Trustee of the late 32 esteemable lady Mrs. Burd a pamphlet of Similar exposition of his charge, at your convenience I am dear Sir with much respect March 31st 1862 Js. Renwick Jr. New York Dear Sir At a Meeting of the Executive Bord of the V: F: College this morning it was Suggested that you inform me at an early day, what materials and Size you would propose for the Tablet over the Front Centre Entrance, whether in Marble or granite, whether the Letters be raised or Sunk, thus: Erected AD 1864 Matthew Vassar Founder The inside Tables on the Front Hall main Centre Entrance to be of pure white marble on one Side the names of the Trustees, on the other Side Architect and Builder with the round Cost of $200,000 Over the Centre Front Entrance would be placed a Tablet of Granite Stone, which Sunken letters & Guilded Vassar Female College. if you have any other Suggestions to make, please to State in your reply. Yours truly P.S The Sketch of the College Office is received, but not actione taken upon it to day. April 2nd 1862 Professor W: Coppee 1826 Pine Street Philadelphia My dear Sir Your favor of the 31st [Ullo] was received this morning, and alltho not especially requiring an answer I would not let the opportunity pass without returning my profound acknowledgment for the kind manner you have been pleased to Speak of my poor efforts in the inaugration of a College for the Education of females, so long as my enterprise is so liberally endorsed in this department by enlightened minds I have no fear of a failure. With much respect 33 April 5th 1862 F: J: Greer Esq Philadelphia 1520 Spruce Street Dear Sir I am this morning in receipt of your kind favour of yesterday, and alltho its contents does not necessarily imply an answer I cannot let the opportunity pass without expressing my hearty thanks for the generous testimony of praise awarded me in the matter of the Vassar Female College Enterprise. It is just Such testimonials as these coming from Such high Sources that have inspired my faith & hopes in its Successful issue. Refering to your remarks of the ruinous results in late S. Gerards College Enterprise, and what might have been Saved had he lived, with Several other instances on record of Similar nature, went far to induce me to be my own Executor. I am very happy to notice that your late partner Mr. George Hayes deceased provided So liberally in his will for Suffering humanity viz: A Home for the indigent & worthy American Mechanics I pray God that many other may be induced by such Examples to benefit posterity. Our President Professor Milo J. Jewett [ I.I.] D leaves N. York this day for Packet Steamer Edingburgh for Liverpool on a professional tour in behalf of the College and K.A. Fisher Professor of Chemistry will also leave soon on like business in his department with the College. They will probably be absent for 12 Months. Yours very truly April 7th 1862 James Renwick Jr. Dear Sir Yours of the 5th inst: Came to hand just after the adjournment of our Executive Committee to day at 12 oclock, waving therefore the benefit of any opinion they could afford me in the matter of the Tablets, I would say, that as to the materials, I would Suggest that of Cast Iron for the following reasons: 1st Cheapness, 2d of equal durability to that of Stone of any Kind especially if the letters are raised. Granite undoubtedly would be more appropriate, but would cost 5 times the price of Iron and I would 34 not dare to trust the wear of time to brown Stone then the great length raised lettering [+ca] would render them liable to be chipped or otherwise injured in getting them to their places, perhaps there is nothing very serious in this objection. The Iron Tablets can be cast thin with 2 or 3 courses of raised flanges to strengthen them. The lettering then could be raised in Casting and either painted or guilded on the face as may be deemed best. I am pleased with your arrangements of the Tablets upon the Central pavillon. Let me hear your opinion of my Suggestions. Yours truly April 9th 1862 Jas. Renwick Jr. Dear Sir After writing you yesterday I called again: on our Stone & marble Monumental Cutter [Nusp] Haxby & Miller and read them your letter on the Subject of the Tablets and after careful investigation and examination of the work required, and where to be placed on the building, they propose to do the whole with Italian Marble for the Sum of $200 or $400 in Common Granite or of Quincy granite at $600 making a difference between the first & last materials $400. They give it as their opinion that a dark shaded Italian Marble would harmonize nearer the Colour for the College trimmings than Granite, be equally as durable and cost much less. They Suggest that the letters be raised and the face of the Tablets be Sunk [Ereolv18]. With a view of a basis for a Contract with them Suppose you enquire of Some of your marble workers in the City, and we Shall then be prepared to give an answer to H & M. They have leasure now to work at it by and by they will be more busy. Let me hear from you soon - Yours very truly April 11th 1862 Js. Renwick Jr. Dear Sir I am this morning in receipt of your favor of yesterday, and notice your Suggestions concerning the Kind of materials to be used for the Tablets in Zuick, this is a 35 new idea, and it strikes me favorably. By refering to my note of last Evening you will find the different Estimates for Granite, Italian Marble [+ca] but Iam not Sure but Zinc would be preferable to any other materials. It is always safe to follow the footprints of experience. You say Zinc is entirely used in France & Belgium for exterior metallic decorations! why not then Should we not adopt it? however let us ascertain the difference of Cost between the different materials & then we can decide with better power of judgment [+ca] Harloe has uncovered the College walls, and commenced laying brick. My time in the Office have been more than usually employed Since our Professor Jewett sailed for Europe. I do hope that the cold windy season is now past and that we will have an early Spring as Mr. Harloe will require a long favorable building Season to roof the college ere the Snow & frost of next fall Sets in. I send to your address per Mail this P.M. a Copy of the Am. Journal of Education., in the pages 52, 53, 54, 554 and 56 you will find a brief Synopsis of my early life [+ca], our Frontpiece an engraved likeness of your humble Servant by H. Wright Smith Boston. I regret to see So poor a print of our College Edifice. The printer and not the Wood Cut was in fault. Please to let the Professor, your honored father, see this number. Other matters have crawled and of mind (for the present at least) the Office preoject; will take it up Soon again. As we began our College building at the beginning of the American Rebellion, it would be quite Significant incident if it Should be finished at its close Historical Emblems of Peace and War AD 1862. Yours very truly PS. You had better come up on Monday April 12th 1862 Alvin Clark, Cambridge Mass: Dear Sir, I have lately seen in a public Journal an acct of your Mammoth Telescope and that in consequence of the war the parties for whom it was made has annulled the Contract and that is was now for sale. In the absence of the President of the Vassar Female College Prof. Jewett who sailed for Europe last 36 week, I have called the attention of our Ex: Committee to the subject, and am requested in their behalf to write you to know upon what terms it could be purchased for the College. Please Send a full description and the lowest price for Cash, placed on a observatory. Yours respectfully April 17th 1862 Alvin Clark & Sons Cambridgeport Mass: Gentlemen Your favor of the 17th Current Came duly to hand and on the same day layd it before our College Ex Committee and whom have instructed me to say, that they were greatly obliged for your prompt and candid reply in the matter of the Telescope and in view of other parties negotiations being in progress for the purchase, they decline further interference, besides our President being now in Europe any may be under Contract with other parties, they have deemed it advisable to waive any purchase untill they hear from him Yours respectfully April 24th 1862 Honbl. Pra Harris Dear Sir My delay to acknowledge your Kindness in Sending me the public documents is not the less appreciated by that circumstance. The Smithsonian Report of 1860 and the Colorado Exploring Expedition [+ca] came to hand by due course of mail, and yesterday I received a Second Smithsonian Number of 1860 which was also under your Signature upon the rapper. These publications will be very useful additions to our V.F C: Library. We are availing ourselves of these peculiar times to buy Scarce and valuable works, and for that object have set apart a fund and placed it in the hands of Special Book Agents in New York and Boston. Our President MP. Jewett was also provided with Some Moneys 37 to purchase rare works in Europe if offered at very low prices. We are progressing finely with the College building, Shall have it roofed in the present building Season say by the 1st Decb and nothwithstanding the deplorable Rebellion So depressing to all Stock Securitys we hope to escape without any very Serious loss and to finish the Edifice within the time contracted for vz: 1 June 1864. We are daily receiving letters from distinguished individuals Commendating our enterprise, and within a few days, the following among others Professor Wm. H. Allen LLD President of Gerard College Professor Coppie University of Pensylvania Honbl Alex: Henry; Mayor of Philadelphia Jos: J. Barclay Esqr Athenaum A.J. Drexel Banker S.J. Dreer ditto Professor Ingersolle LLD Geo W. Childs Publisher [+c +c +c] I allude to these facts to show in what Estimation our Female College is regarded by the public. I shall be pleased to hear from you whenever you can Spare a moment from your pressing public engagements. Yours very truly May 7th 1862 Alvin Clark & Sons Cambridgeport Mass: Gentlemen I am this morning in receipt of your note of the 5th Current, and notice you have mounted a Telescope of 8 inches for your own use & inviting parties intrusted with the business of procuring instruments to call and examine them. Referring to my last letter of the 17 April I beg to inform you that upon the return of our President Professor M P. Jewett from Europe we will avail ourselves of the opportunity of doing so which will be some time next Fall, unless he should in the intermediate time purchase one during his absence, which I think is quite improbabel as he had no Special instructions from the Vassar Female College Bord for that object other than to make examinations [+ca]. In the intermediate time however we may 38 have advices from him on that Subject when we hope to be prepared with your offer before us to give him more definite instructions [+ca]. respectfully May 16 1862 Revd Howard Malcolm DD [Leverington] PA My very dear friend This is truly an age of Wonders and you have contributed to the Stock. I had almost given up ever hearing from you direct, indirectly I have Several times Since we last met some year or thereabout ago, when you officiated So conspicuously with me in the Breaking of Ground for our College, were you present with me now, you would scarcely realize the amount of materials piled up upon that spot. We are about ready for the 3rd tier of beams, but I decline saying more on this point for I want you to come & see for yourself; if you would, the Society for gathering musty Old books [+ca] would be put into the Shades. By the bye, I have quite a lot of Old books, Magazins, pamphlets which I will contribute to your Wonderful Historical Society which I can better spare than money, for this terrible Rebellion have Swept away a large amount of any income, however I will place my name among your collections in some way soon I Send you by this day mail the March Number of the American Journal of Education, where you will find a Steel plate engraving Likeness of your humble Servant, with a brief Outline of his early history with a short Statement made by me on the occaision of the endowment by the V.F. College in February 1861. Our friends Mssr Jewett & Brackett have safely landing the other Side of the Water and are receiving letters from them frequently Yours in haste 39 May 18th David Davidson Esq Dear Sir Yours of the 15th inst: with Statement of purchase of books of Vassar F. College to say 262.69 is received and herewith remit = you my check on F & M Bank payable at the [Phoennix ] Bank to your order for that Sum. The two Cases books p Barge Independence are also at hand, but as we are preparing a room for the Shelving them until the College Library arrangements are ready, we Shall not open the boxes for Some days to come Yours with respect May 25th 1862 Mrs. Agnes Kemp Dear Madame Yours of the 21st inst is received and agreable to your request herewith send you one of our College Pamphlets which is the only Circular issued by the Corporation up to the present time. It would be quite a laborious task to draw you a plan or Model of the building but the perspective will give you Some idea of it. The Edifice will cost when finished some $200,000 exclusive of the grounds & furnitures, of course you will at once see that the plan will be no way adapted for your proposed School House Yours [+ca] May 21st 1862 Js. Renwick Jr. Dear Sir Yours of yesterday is just received and will lay the Subject of your Enquiries before an Exe Board to morrow if we can possibly get a quorum. My own opinion is however against your application. You are aware that my own health is feeble, our President absent in Europe and our Superintendant Mr DuBois will be much occupied this Summer with the farming department of the College & that of his own. Suppose a bare possibility of 40 the illness of Mr. Harloe whom have we to depend upon but Mr. Sands in case of your absence. I do not think our Committee would consent to your application, nevertheless will submit the same & report. Your very truly June 11th 1862 James Renwick Jr. Esqr Dear Sir I was out to the College yesterday but did not see either Harloe or DuBois but I did see somethings which I thought was not exactly up to the Spirit if not the letter of our Contract. viz: I do not think that Donnelly: is sufficiently particular with his bricklayers, they do not fill up the intertices of the brick work with mortar to insure a Strong Wall. Secondly. I find that the Window frames are being put in without being painted. Thirdly They continue occasionally quarter front coarse brick notwithstanding your Caution to Donnely. Now I know you are not disposed to have any work or materials in the building falling short of the Contract, nor do I believe it is Mr Harloes wishe, but it is rather the results of carelessness on the part of the workmen, and I mention these facts not in the Spirit of [Captioness] or fault finding but with a desire to avoid any formal cause of complaint which Such defects might ultimately result in viz: Still larger innovations of our agreement, but the main object of this note is to request that you would bring up the Plan of the Gate House when you next time visit Po- I think we ought to build the Lodge this Summer especially if Harloe can do it It is a little remarkable how the Litterary worlds attention is drawn to our Enterprise these tumultous war times, but Such is the fact, I am almost daily in receipt of Communi= cations from all parts of the Northern States making enquiries about our Institution when it will opened for the reception of Publics [+ca +ca +ca]. Thus you see we are quite a Star in these calamitous times. A gentleman of Some notoriety 41 called upon me yesterday from Washington DC making enquiries & is going out to day to see the Grounds & buildings. Yours truly June 21st 1862 David Davidson Dear Sir [Amereed] please to find Extract of a Letter from Prof. Jewett London to W.F Pool of Boston on the Subject of purchases of books on the V F College a/c Will Mr D. please to take Such actions upon it as directed and oblige Your [oba] Servt June 25th 1862 My dear Mrs. Stowe I am just in receipt of your Kind favor of the 21st with Card Photograph, I have read your communication with deep and sympathetic interest, I would be most happy to do all in my power to aid you in your plans & purposes in the matter of your young daughter, and Shall register your name on our College books, and upon it early opening you may depend upon her having a place among the benificiary of the Institution. You my dear friend must excuse the briefety of this note, my heart prompt me to write more fully, but I am much exhausted from Yesterdays proceedings, it being the Annual Meeting of the Bord of Trustees of the College where Some 20 of the number assembled yesterday to hear the reports of the Several Committee [talked] to the election of Officers for the ensuing year. The day was extremely unpleasant being raining & that without interruption, nevertheless we finished up our Executive business in good time, Dined & then took an Excursion to the College grounds. At a more Convenient opportunity I may review your letter and reply more fully. Yours in haste 42 11 July 1862 Messrs Hatch & Partridge Gentlemen [foot] of West 22 Street N.Y. Yours of the 3 inst. Came duly to mind, have waited a few days to see our builder M. Harloe on the subject of your letter and who informs me to day that he had given his Order for the flooring plan of the College to his agents Dudley & Thompson Lumber Merchants of this City, nevertheless in the absence of any Contract by them up to the present time he will receive your proposals to furnish the entire Hall flooring planks of the Edifice of the best quality of dry Ash and not over 3 inches wide 1 inch in thickness, and wishes your answer immediately Respectfully. July 11th N. Plumb Hamilton Colorado Teretory Dear Sir Your favor of the 24th [Ultimum] is just received, and in reply would observe that in reference to your Cabinet of Minerals we are not prepared in consequence of the absence of our President on a Professional tour in Europe to give you a definite answer at this time. We have bought a large Collection in Rochester, but nevertheless may wish to make it more complete, and if you do not dispose of yours before our President return next Spring will write you again on a Subject in the mean time (if it suits your convenience) you may send us a Catalogue of your Specimens. Respectfully July 30th 1862 [Rec.] Charles Raymond My dear friend I thank you very kindly for your valued favor of the 15th Current. Your Suggestions concerning the plan of organization of officials in the V. F College are deserving much attention and the more I have reflected and studied them the more they have commended themselves to my judgment and approbation [+ca] I now Specially allude to the Office of Vice President, but hope 43 that the discussion of this question or any other between you and me on the Subject of the organization of the College or its discipline, may be examined and freely discussed independent of any Sinister motives, and candor impels me to say and acknowledge that thus far you have evinced the utmost impartiality and unselfishness. It is now however a proper time for me to express my private thoughts, therefore I assume the authority to express them that I know of no man whom in my judgment could fill the place of the V: P better than yourself nor one in whom I could most cheerfully concur in that appointment and after writing out my views Somewhat in detail on this Subject to our President Proff. Jewett in my last letter I thus Signified my opinion and my wishes. However this matter must now remain open for further reflection and action untill Prof. Jewett returns when we shall take it up again and within the present year may be able to make you a proposition that will meet your entire approbation my reasons I shall assign for advocating your appointment to that department in the College That the Suggestion of such an office first came from you, Secondly that your large experience in Female Education entitles your opinion and judgment to more than ordinary consideration. There is a philosophy common to us business men, never to loose a good paying Customer, we often Classify on our Ledger our patrons, to the poor paying ones we are always short of the article, to the good paying ones never. Now apply this rule to our College working plans of Teachers there are those who are not only qualified to teach but can exert an influence in the Institution more than equivalent to the compensation they may receive, for I hold it to be a demonstrative fact that if our College rise to meet the public largest claims and expectations it will be through its more and religious aspect rather than its intellectual, for as you justly remark, we have had experience enough in the latter Good general theories of education are good as far as they go, but we want more practical life invigorating Knowledge specimens of which may here and there be seen altho not a graft or scion from a College or a University Stock. I need not however [entered] my remarks on this Subject your experience of 18 years to the Profession of teaching Young ideas how to shoot will amply qualify you to judge collectively about Such matters, and I am happy to think that my friend W Raymond 44 have not only a Supply of the Comodity (of good Tuition) but know how to impart it. Now, I am ready for a Barter of your [Names] they will allways be needed and you have an abundant Supply, and the College has the means for exchange of Comodities with you, besides they have Scites on which to erect comfortable residences for their Professors this last suggestion I am also indebted to you for, by the adoption of which much room would be saved in the College buildings for Subordinate Instructors, Pupils [+ca] besides Surrounding the College and Grounds with a Cordon of defences both of ingress and egress against intruders on the premises, but I have already extended their remarks beyond my original object, which was Simply to acknowledge your favor, leaving all comments for a private interview. We shall be happy to see you when convenient with your friends. With my best regards to Mrs R. and the new Stranger. I remain dear Sir Yours truly 30th July 1862 Js Renwick Jr. Esq Dear Sir I have received this afternoon a Letter Circular from Smith Spelman NY on the Subject of something New and economical in State Roofing, which perhaps would be well to examine. As our Roofing is now going forward, there is no time to be lost in your seeing him or his partner viz: Smith Spelman 168 Front Street Charles Wanzer 143 Avenue C S.S. Parson 211 West 13th Street Yours in haste August 7th 1862 M Luther Robinson Dear Sir Yours of the 29th Ulto with enclosures came duly to hand and avail myself of the earliest opportunity to reply which have been delayed in the want of a quorum in our Executive Bord for a few weeks past. In the matter of your Ventilators it seems that our Committee with Mr. Renwick could not agree upon their adoption at the present time whatever conclusions they may come to when 45 the roofing is completed which latter is now the pressing object with our Bord, when that is accomplished we shall have more leasure to deliberate upon their adopting. We have just commenced the roofing Yours respectfully August 20th 1862 Mr J. W. Osborn Dear Sir Yours of the 15th Current came duly to hand and thank you very kindly for your Suggestions in the matter of Slate roofing, your large experience entitles your opinion to our Serious considerations and as far as possible Shall avail ourselves of them personally I could have wished that Mr. Harloe could have found it to his interest to have accorded you the Job, altho I believe the present parties intends to give us a most perfect piece of work and it is Mr Harloes design & purpose to have it executed in the best possible manner without reference to Cost. I felt it my duty to show your letter to Mr. Harloe who at once conceded that it was an important consideration in so large a roof as the V.F College to Settle the fact of the relative durability of each kind of nailing. Here are some advantages in each. The Copper & composition unquestionably are least subject to corrosion, but their brittleness. in putting on, compared with the galvanized Iron names would seem to be an equal Set off against the latters liability to rust. The galvanized Iron nails are stronger, and will hold to the wood better than either the former, this I know from my own experience having for many years [experimented] on these nails in our Brewery [Vessels] for over 30 years past. If the Iron Nails are well galvanized I should prefer them at the same price. I presume you nor any Slater in America is prepared to decide the merits of the question of their respective durability on a fair & equal trial of exposure for 30 40 or 50 years past Yours [+ca] 46 August 30th 1862 (sent As Spt 1862) Rev Rufus Babcock DD My very dear Friend I received your Kind note dated at Rustic Point R. I yesterday PM. and notice your pleasant instructions with your family for the past two weeks upon the Seabord, many of our Citizens of Po have been enjoying these Summer repasts, it is reported that all the Watering places [+ca] have been full to overflowing. A few days Since Mr Swan Amanda & Self took a run up to the Columbia Springs, on our arrival found all full to overflowing we then started for the Cattskill Mountains house by private conveyance and to our great surprise found some 150 guests waiting for their turn of accommodations, Some had been patiently or rather impatiently waiting some 2 or 3 days for apartments, we had our own private conveyance and therefore could return at our pleasure, others were dependant on public conveyances, and must wait their turn availing ourselves of our own wise provisions made our way back to Hudson, and thence home by Railway, only absent some 4 days. The above will be the Key to the versions of a good friends report of our visit to the Saratoga Springs I have noticed your purpose visiting Maria Mitchell the great Astronomer with reference to her engagement in the professional Capacity in the V. F College, and will report results after your return to Patterson. Also notice your intentions of visiting the University at Cambridge remarks on the Miss Plummers professorship [+ca] all of which information may be a negative if not a positive benefit to us, for there is as much benefit derived in Seeing defects as perfection in any System: It is our purpose to start from the latter point then advancement is improvement. There are copyist and there are originals in Literature and in Mechanics. As our College buildings looms upwards to the Sky, its architectural beauties attracts attention. The peculiarity of the materials and Style of arrangements gives Solidarity and chastity. 47 Every pleasant day brings its Scores of visitors, and I may also add every mail brings letters of inquiries for post or places in the institution. About a month Since a gentleman friend of mine met me and in brief conversation about College matters says, that it was the Current report that the Bord of Officials in V.F.C: were all appointed, and that from Baptist ranks, this I at once contributed there was but two appointments made, the President and a professor in Chemistry. It is remarkable how disposed the public are to make the College Sectarian. I do hope therefore that whatever may be peculiar results of the organization of the College board of professorships [+u] it may not be prematurely announced as all the disappointed will be but lukewarm friends, if not a step further in advance, open [envings]. I started to hve V. F. College Catholic in the widest Sense of the term, we are closely watched by denominational School interests in Po Some catch every movement of the Board that they can twist into line to [Snkserve] their own ends. The Methodist with all the Sectarian elements are hardest to coalesce. Letters from Prof. Jewett last advices are dated Wiesbaden Germany August 3rd. Brackett Still accompanies him, the latter has never written me Since he left home. Mr J: leaves nothing unseen thats worth Seeing that will be of benefit or interest to the College. Prof. Fisher is with them, has wrote for funds $500 to purchase chemical Instruments, our Board has agreed to furnish it. Chs A Raymond made a visit to Hamilton last week, has conditionally taken the large Academy Edifice (females) of that place, engagements if consummated will be just the place for him. I must now close my remarks as our Executive Board will be Soon in Session. At your convenience please to favor me with a line My best regards to your family (whom I presume are near you) I remain 48 Poughkeepsie Septr 20 1862 Geo W: Childs Esq no 628 & 630 Chestnut Street Philadelphia. Dear Sir In reply to your Circular note received this morning, I would remark, that we have no Catalogue of the V.F. College as yet published, nothing further under the direction of the Bord than the Statement of the Founder at the first meeting of the Trustees February 1861, which I sent you. The President Prof: M. P: Jewett left home on a professional tour to Europe last April to be absent some 12 or 18 months but will most probably return this fall on account of the political State of this country. He has visited all the most prominent Institutions of Learning in England, Scotland, Ireland, France & Germany and may yet extend his researches in that department. Italy and the Holy Land were contemplated as part of his programme. His Letters are very descriptive and highly interesting. I should like it if I had permission to send you some specimen. Our College Edifice is now in process of rooming, will be completed Roofing early in November and the whole building finished in June 1864 ready for the reception of pupils the ensuing Fall. No pains or expenses will be omitted to make the Institution all it claims, useful, attractive and efficient in every department, material and intellectual I send you answer to all your circular interrogation as far as published or Known. Yours very briefly Name of College. Vassar Female College. Date of Organization. 26th February 1861. Name of President. Prof. Milo P. Jewett LLD Date of his accession 26th February 1861 Amount of Endowment $4080,00 Estimated value of buildings & grounds $240,000 Aggregate number of columes in College Libraries , In process of collecting Date of Commencement. 1 Septr 1864 49 Septr 22: 1862. Rev. Rufus Babcock DD My dear Friend Your highly esteemed favor of the 8th and 10th Current Came duly to hand and would have received earlier acknowledgement had not the intermediate time been occupied almost exclusively by hourly calls of Visitors from abroad to See the founder and the Edifice of the V F College, which must be my apology for deferring an answer to your Kind and intelligent notes above referred to, and which I have just taken up again and reviewed this morning & with primitive freshness of interest. Your visit to Nantucket, Howard University, the Plummers Institute Cambridge, with the high testimonials accompanying your letters in behalf of Miss Mitchell as a teacher of Astronomy [+ca] in our Institution with the appreciated prospects of Securing his Services in that department with other valuable information, obtained through your visits for the benefit of the College will be laid before our Executive Committee at their next regular meeting. Enclosed please to find $10 bill of the Farmers & Manufactrs. Bank of this City no. which I send you to cover expenses incurred on acct. of your visits as above Stated in behalf of the College. I would extend my remarks, by quotations from Prof: Jewetts late letters also from our Nephew J. G. Vassar, our friend Rev. Chs. A. Raymond now at Hamilton, with some account of visits from Miss D Emily Blackwell N.Y, Editor of N.Y. Evening Post Home Journal, Miss Doctr. Harriett R. Hunt of Boston [+ca +ca], the latter had addressed me a very respectable, dignified and sensible letter upon the Education of her sex [+ca]. I have at last received a letter from Mr. Bracklett but have not leasure to comments this morning. Your good wife calld. upon twice last week have not as yet seen your Daughter Harriett Our family health Continue much as usual. I remain dearfriend PS Amanda wishes to be kindly recommended to you M. V. 50 Octr 2d 1862 Rev. Chs. A. Raymond My dear friend Your very highly esteemed favor of the 22nd to the 25th Ultimo incl: with enclosures came duly to hand and have given the Same a careful perusal which it justly demanded. Passing over the introductory portion which chiefly relates to my personally self I proceed at one to notice your wise practical Suggestions concerning the peculiair feature of our College organization and its management and in getting on to this ground I am perfectly aware of my ignorance to lead, and perhaps my folly even to Suggest any thing new yet relying upon a long life observation and experience in the Common business affairs of the world I may have gathered up some Knowledge that may have escapted thro their apparent insignificiency, the minds of the more learned. Not wishing or expecting to anticipate your views intimated in your letter before me I will merely remark that the more I have reflected upon the employment of an organized salaried Corps of Teachers the more decided and conclusive have my mind been convinced that it will be the identical Shoal our College [baot] will strike and if not opening a Seam wide enough to Sink her, will at least So much impair her Seaworthiness as to demand frequent repairs with this nautical illustration (which please to excuse) I proceed to say that in my judgment every Employee from the highest to the lowest grade should in some way or other be dependent for Stipend more or less upon their own exertions, and the only complexity of the Case is the mode of its arrangements. Without something of this Kind is done the V: F: C: begins and ends just where all its educational predecessors have and that very frequently disastrously. The first instinct of our race is Self make the promontory of that the chief object and there is no difficulty of finding Energy & talent. Now then, who have we amongst us to draw up a programme on an just equitable Sliding Scale, so that every labourer get the equitable reward of his toil, thats the Problem to be solved, can Mr. Raymond effect this ? if so, I should like to secure his Services. I have had not little experience in the philosophy of adjusting remuneration for labour. On one occasion I employed a man by the month to Sell Ale in N.Y: for the Company, but as the pay was sure there 51 was no [stimular] or incentive for exertions, I then tried the System of Commission pr barrel, then they made money and I lost, as they gained bad debts, I then made a new bargain viz: gave him a Certain percentage on all the Ales sold and money collected and paid over, this nail was a chucker, and from thence forward all went well, he was careful to sell only where he could collect, and collect just when he wanted it. If I give a man my farm to work on Shares, I am very sure he will do the best he can for both of us it is his interest, and that the conclusion of the whole matter and which is just the substance of your views, the reciprocate System. Set apart from the Endowment fund, a specific Sum to keep the buildings in good repair and for the gradual improvement of the College grounds & furniture, Library & philosophical apparatus, the interest of which annually to be expended, a professorship & Teacher Fund graduated by the Success of their own efforts in appropriate proportion Set apart a fund to be known & distinguished as the Beneficiary fund for respectable poor but promising talented young girls whom will do honor to your Institution. Specific Appropriation Funds. for improvements of Grounds Building & repairs Furniture fund. Library & Philosophical Apparatus fund Professor & Teachers Fund Beneficiary Fund but after writing all as above I find on reading over your letter I have Suggested nothing new, it is much the same as your own plan. Let me have it from your pen elaborated. I now come to that part of your letter under date the 25th [thursday] It is needless for me to say that I am heartily glad to learn that your good wife and children (or Babys as you call them) have all met with you in safety. I say all, I presume you have not omitted to count & chalk as they arrived. You Speak of the agreable shock the (PoK) Check afforded you, if your case needs another of the Kind, frankly write me and it shall be forthcoming, if I have the funds on hand. Amanda has read over your letter to me at least three times. 52 and wants another chance, She takes a deep interest in your welfare, and wants me to promise you a visit the next festival season. Now for the last three days I have been laid up with a severe cold I have made out to scribble off the foregoing, but was so unintelligible that I got our Mr Schon to copy it. I shall leave a little Space for Amandas remarks, so I . take my leave of you this afternoon. God be with you my friend and prosper and Keep you & yours during his good pleasure is the prayer of your friend. M.V: P.S: We have Some friends and relative from Auburn visiting us this morning. which will prevent Amanda from adding anything to this note, but she wishes me to say that she is looking for that long promised letter as she is anxious to know if there is any Bathing facilities like those at V: F College Institution. Amanda sends her love to your good wife and Laura, and was disappointed in not Seeing them before their departure, but hopes to make you a short visit next summer when I come out to meet with our Bord Trustees of Rochester University Anniversary. Yrs. M.V. 20th October 1862 Js. Renwick Jr. The short time I had with you yesterday with other engagements prevented my going so fully into the matter of Heating & ventilation of the College buildings as I intended, but take this opportunity to make up the deficiency. It is quite evident that we have now before us a very & perhaps the most important matter in our College buildings viz: Ventilation & Heating and should we fail in either it will not merely be a matter of dollars & cents but may result in damaging us to an irretrievable amount in patronage of our institution. We have Started upon the basis of not only expanding the mind but the health of the pupils, and we cannot do the latter unless we hit upon the best System of ventilation & heating. The more I have reflected upon this Subject the more I am convinced that the heating process must begin outside of the main building, and the heat imparted to be economical & pure should never be heated much over the temperature you want to use it adjusting the degree to the distance 53 it has to be distributed for use, there are the organic laws of the Universe ever to be consulted, and we must work in harmony with them or we work to loss both in pocket and health. Now let us consider how many Cubic feet of heated air we want at 70 degrees, and how we can get it to the place needed, this looks simple, does it not? and yet it will require much scientific Skill to effect it, Now I propose that we manufacture our warm air to a temperature that when placed in our building shall be from 60 to 70 degrees, that is shall pass from one apartment to another by Cut off valves as may be needed & those valves or Stop Cocks to be at Command in the several apartments. The like process or plan to be adopted in Ventilation, fresh air current allways at command by turning a valve. Can all these be effected and that outside of the main building in the ravine were we yesterday, and temporarily look, think of it study the matter closely and report at an early day. Let me say, that if our furnaces are in the College Edifice, there is first great danger of fire consequently large cost of Insurance. Secondly increase of contingent Expenses to keep up repairs thirdly Your Steam & heat going up in the Same Stack of Chimneys will soon destroy the adhesive quality of Cement or Mortar and thereby requiring Soon, very Soon to be rebuilt which will be quite expensive & other minor objections I have to making the Steam or hot air for heating inside of the building or making our Gap inside of the main Building, but will leave all these things for a private conversation Truly Yours 22d October 1862 John Wilkinson Esq Baltimore Dr Sir Your very highly valued letter of the 13 Just was duly received and would have been acknowledged Sooner but for some temporary ill health. The Subject to which it refers (heating & ventilation) is of the utmost importance, nay it will one way or the other decide the success or unsuccess of our great enterprise should a mistake be made here impairing the inmates health it cannot be compensated by any amount of school Knowledge we can impart. You have well said therefore in your introduction that our interview was both interesting & agreeable indeed it was especially So to me. You also add that the matter of heating that Immense Structure the College building will be more difficult to do economically & thoroughly than any buildings of ordinary dimensions this is certainly true and thus is becomes us to 54 consult with the most experienced & scientific men in that department that are to be found in the Country. I have read & studied your letter thoroughly and have sent a copy of it to our architect J. Renwick Jr. Esq who is to examine the Subject and report next week. We have also laid the matter before our Executive Committee and who recommends an interview with your Messr Haywood, Bartlett & Co and in fact shall consult with all the best & most celebrated men in the departments of heating Buildings in our Country before adopting any one plan. the first and most important consideration that it be a Simple Construction, Second Economical third effectual Keeping within organic laws of atmosphere & fluid is there not some Simple way of Keeping up the temperature for comfort in dwellings, than by hot air & high Steam. This can be done in two ways naturally & artificially; by the first is to avail ourselves of certain natural laws which is always ready at hand, the Second is the making use of certain mechanical methods of admitting good air and expelling bad air Now it is a natural law that air when warm, is lighter than air at ordinary temperature which is caused by the atoms composing it [+ca]. Now get your warm at the basement of your building it will ascend by its own Specific light up and displace the heavy or foul air at the bottom of the Rooms above where it is generated thats all how can this but be done. We have our immense cellar under the whole building, can we rarify the air therein if so it would rise, throughout the Buildings in Suitable Openings to the Several apartments as wanted, by having shut off Valves [+ca] If we warm the basement air to about 60 or 70 degrees & keep it up to that point, the whole interior will be equally warm. After the next meeting of our Executive Board next monday will write you again and then advise or request one of the members of the firm of Haywood Bartlett & Co to accompany you to see the Edifice to be heated & I am dear Sir Truly Yours, 55 Oct 25th 1862 Rev Chas A. Raymond My dear friend Your valued favour of the 4th Current would have received earlier attention but temporary illness and many claims upon my time in consequence of the late fire of our Malt House Buildings [+ca]. I have taken the earliest opportunity to look over and examine your letter Setting forth your plan of the working process of our College Institution and while in the main I highly approve of it, yet it admits of Some modification on the Sliding Scale upon which the respective compensations are based. As it now Stands it possibly might carry the Salaries of President & Profssr entirely too highe take for instance the first Officer [y:] President at 200 pupils his share would be $4,166.66 suppose there is 400 pupils then his portion would be $8333.33; now while I grant that the operation of the plan is an incentive to industry yet the self interest principle Should not all inure to the Employers benefit but rather be reciprocal or divided between them and the College. But I have not time this morning to Suggest a better plan if I could, shall therefore leave the Subject for further reflection. Allow me to thank you for the present very kindly for your valuable Suggestions, long before our College goes into operation I hope to have the pleasure of seeing you when we can talk over more fully all matters connected with the working of the Institution. At present I am much engaged in scheming and planning for the warming & ventilating the building it has taxed our Architects & all our Building Committee ingenuity to the utmost. Some goes hot water, others Steam, others hot air, all has more or less their intrinsic merits, none quite as perfect as we wish. I consider that upon the degree of this Success (heating & Ventilation) depends the Ultimate popularity of the Institution, Once the reputation establishes of being unhealthy (not matter from what came) we greatly suffer physical well Being must stand foremost no matter how good otherwise the Institution. I do not expect to make [Wistlis] out of pigs tails or to give new constitutions to organic invalids but one of the chief objects of our College is to impart health while we impart Knowledge only adding that I think your system is somewhat if not entirely original, at any rate it meets my views and I think it will our Presidents although striking a the roof of Endowments for Professorships. As Amanda have received (Yesterday) your kind letter she will answer it shortly, in the mean while please to accept our united thanks. Truly Yours 56 Oct 27th 1862 John WiIlkenson Esq Baltimore Dr Sir. Referring to mine of the 22d [inst:] I would remark that our Building & Executive Committee were in Session this morning to consider over the matter of Heating & Ventilating the College Edifice, when I laid before them Mr. Renwicks Special report on that Subject and that portion of your letter relating to both Subjects. After much consideration & reflection they concluded to appoint a Committee to visit different localities and examine the most approved methods of warming & ventilating buildings and they will visit your City for that object Some time in January and confer with your Messr Haywood Bartlett & Co and which may result in the adoption of their plan or something like it. It is not very probably we shall do much with laying out grounds this Fall as it is getting late. However if you Should be coming on here I would like to see you & confer further about those matters for which you will be compensated for the time. I have a plan for a pond both useful & ornamental on our grounds which is Simple, very practicable, and no expensive viz to enclose the foot of the ravine where the Mill Streams unites with or near that, of the Stream running North & South just east of the College below the Embankment, where you proposed making a dam & Drive. Now upon more mature reflection it will not answer to stop or embank that Stream in any Sense, as there are Seasons of feshets when it comes down with great violence, overflowing for Several feet the entire Ravine and there is no time that the flow of water is pure or clear as it passes over clay ploughed lands & through brick yards. Moreover the Stoppage of such waters would be any thing but pleasant to the eyes and besides would greatly inure to prevent the clean Swap of the whole of the College excremtitions, privys, waste water [+ca]. We must confine ourselves to the upper Stream and make our Lake or dam at or near the terminus where it joins the Stream coming north as above stated, something thus: [DIAGRAM WITH LABELS] North Stream East West Proposed pond, Lake or Dam Mill race (upper Stream) North Mill College 57 The above Sketch will give you Some Idea of my plans altho not as clearly expressed as I could wish - Truly Yours Oct 29 1862 Miss Maria Mitchell [Lynn] Mass Dear Madame I have on Several occasions had the pleasure to hear your name mentioned at the Annual Meetings of the Bord of Trustees of V. F: College as the most Suitable person to fill the important Office of Professorship of Astronomy and an increased interest has been manifested Since your interview with Dr. Rufus Babcock, whom has been quite desirous that our Institution should avail itself of your valuable Services in that department. You will please to excuse me when I say as the Founder of the College that I feel the deepest anxiety for the Successful occupancy of that Professorship, and believe there is no one in our Country can better inure it than yourself. No official appointments in the Institution has been made other than the Presidency & Professorship of Chemistry nor will there be untill Professor Jewitt return from his professional European tour next Spring. We are progressing finely with our College building it is receiving its roof and the whole Edifice will be completed within the time contracted viz 1 June 1864 In a few days will Send you a Copy of the New Englander containing an article on our College Enterprize: I have not seen it as yet, but have heard it well Spoken of by others I am dear Madam Yours very respectfully Novbr 8th David Davidson Esq Dear Sir Yours of the 3 [Inst] with enclosure came duly to hand and enclosed please find check on Farmer & Manuf Bank for the amount of $317.37. In comparing the last Invoice with a previous received in July last I find that you have provided Beography of Washington by Irving 5 vol. [Sparke] 1 : Marshall 2: 58 and on the last invoice appears Works on Washington 12 Vols: As the boxes has as yet not been opened can not ascertain if there is any Similarity with these different works with reference to the authors. I also find on the Invoice of 10 July page 4 of the catalogue. Society in America by H Martineans which is also on your last invoice. Although it may be considered requisite in Some few instances to have duplicates of Some prominent works yet I Should think the last named book did not come under that category and for the present at least we must try to avoid purchase of Duplicates So much as possible. Hoping you have informed Mr. Poole of Boston of the different purchases you have made from Ltr F of the Catalogue according to instructions of 3 March last I remain. Novbr 21st 1862 Miss Emma C. Church Care of Freebron & Co Bankers Rome Dear Madame. I have been requested by Prof: M. P. Jewett L: L: D. President V. F College to address you upon the subject of certain pictures painted and to be painted by you for the above institution, four copies from Originals which he informs me he has engaged of you & others he is desirous to have executed for the College account, the first order have been approved by our Executive Committee, and you will find to to your Credit at John Monroe & Co Bankers. Paris, Bills of Exchange for the payment of each picture as may be delivered to that house agreeable to Prof. Jewetts Order, and who will forward each to us as received by them. After these first Specimens are received, they will be Submitted for inspection of the Board of Trustees of the College at their annual Febry: meeting, whom will then decide upon their merits, and I will write you the results. It affords me much pleasure to inform you that Prof: Jewett Speaks in the highest terms of your genius, personal spotless and purity of character, and of the many warm friends you have in Rome which gives weight & additional value to your pictures. Should your first Specimens be approved by the Bord you may reasonable hope for an order for the Art Gallery of the College of some few thousands Dollars to be executed from Originals representative pictures to show the Characteristic 59 exellency of your greatest master by an American Lady Artist. The Subject of such copies, form & color will be left to your discretion, and especially She [canvass], which is of the utmost importance. Great complaints are made in America by the Use of Cheap & useless Canvass which after a year or two crack and the picture becomes worthless. We trust you will have particular regard to this part of your work as that also of the Kind & quality of the other materials. With my best regards I am dear Miss Church Post Script see below. Yours respectfully November 25th 1862 Miss Maria Mitchell [Synn] Mass: Dear Madame! I am just in receipt of your letter of the 22d Just: and owe you an apology for my remissness. I now send you the Copy of the New Englander with a few Pamphlets of the Proceedings of the Board of Trustees at their first meeting, which I trust will reache you in due course of mail. I am very happy to learn that you are taking So much interest in V.F College Enterprize by watching its progress [+ca]. This day completes the roofing, our Edifice is now enclosed from Storms [floods] during the winter we do all work that can safely be done at those Seasons. There is every prospect of completing the whole Edifice by the Summer of 1864. I have the pleasure to inform you that President Professor Jewett will be home by the 1st [proceeding.] The State of the Country & Exchanges have induced him & Several other americans to shorten their Journeyings. I shall at all times be happy to hear from you Yours truly Post Script to Emma C. Churchs letter of 23th December see page 58 On the Eve of mailing this within letter received advices from Prof Jewett informing us of his purpose to close up his european tour at Rome or Naples on a/c of the enormous rate of Exchanges, this letter has therefore been retained that he might See the contents before sending it to you which circumstances will explain the decrepency between the date and its receipt by you. Prof. Jewett will write you by an early mail. 60 February 7th 1863 John Wilkinson Eqr. No 425 West Fayette Street, Baltimore Dear Sir Your esteemed favor of the 20 Current is just received and have perused the Same with much interest and pleasure. We have made no progress nor adopted any particular plan about warming & ventilating our College Buildings. I believe our Building Committee have pretty much agreed to place both the heating or rather the fires for heating whether by Steam or otherwise, and the manufacturing or preparation of the Gap for lightning the Building outside say 150 feet East of the College to be built of fire proof materials Our Executive & Building Committee meet next week. Your letter will be laid before them I know of no local interest or influence prejudicial to your having the Superintendance of laying out the College grounds or of your plans of ventilation & warming the Building. Mr DuBois is now in Washington City on Special business of his own. If this reaches you in time you might see him there. He will call on Sendor Harris who can inform you of his whereabouts Yours in haste M V: February 23 1863 H. Daniels Esq Landscape Gardner [+ca} Dear Sir Your letter of the 12th Currrent addressed to the Trustees of the Female College thro Jm Thompson Esq. was handed me three days Since and this morning I laid it before our Ex Committee whom has authorized me to acknowledge & thank you for the Same. At an early period on the opening of the Spring we propose to invite you to examine confer with Mr Renwick as to the best plan of laying out and decorating the College grounds. As to the heating of our building, the mode calld for by contract with the Builder is by Steam, subject however to any alteration on charges that the building Committee may think best. This matter and that of ventilation is of the utmost importance, and are anxious to avail ourselves of the most approved method. Our Committee 61 thank you for the information in regard to Mr W. and shall make no further use of it than to protect their own interest. Yours truly February 23d 1863 John Wilkinson Esq Dear Sir Referring to my letter of the 7th Current Our Executive Board met today and I layd your letter before them, but as the Subject is one of so great importance (Heating and Ventilation of the building) they only discussed the matter in general terms, feeling unable in themselves to decide So important a matter without consulting further with the Architect, M. Renwick, and whom we have written today with our Exe Board on the 1st proximo when this whole subject will be fully discussed and disposed off, either by your coming to Po or having Mr. Renwick go to your City to confer & examine such matters as you may lay before him. I am dear Sir Yours truly February 23 1863 Jas. Renwick Jr. Dear Sir. Your favor of the 20th Current came to hand while our Ex: College Board was in Session. The Same was read to them and they wish me to reply, that they heartly agree with you to avoid Spending much time or Money as possible about the matter of heating or Ventilating the College buildings firmly believing that you are as well posted up in these matters as any other man, and as to laying out the grounds that their is time enough to move in this next April. When you Come up next week to PoKeepsie will lay before you Some documents with reference to both Subjects. M Schon has delivered Mr. Harloe to hand to you the following. Detail Plan A Drawing No 4. 3d Story Plan of Center Building 5 Attic Plan [Do] Front Elevation Chapel Elevation 62 Side Elevation Sect. of roof of Chapel Delivered Mr Renwick 21 January 1862 Drawing No 2 Plan of the 1 Story Drawing No 3. Plan of the Centre Building I remain Yours Truly Poughkeepsie March 23d 1863 Jas Renwick Jr. Esq Dear Sir At a meeting of the Executive Bord this morning a Committee was appointed consisting of yourself and Mr DuBois to visit Baltimore and other places with reference to the best places of heating the College Building with the recommendation of seeing especially the mode of warming or heating the [Grapery] and Green Houses in the above City under Supervision of John Wilkinson Esqs Mr DuBois will be ready to leave here on Wednesday morning. It is important that this matter should be attended to before the Cold Season is over. Please to Telegraph on the receipt of this whether you can accompany Mr. D: as soon as the snow is off the ground he will be very busy. Yours in haste M V. PS. We have received a letter from Mr. Wilkinson on Saturday Poughkeepsie March 23d 1863 John Wilkinson Esq Dear Sir Your of the 16th Current came duly to hand and was layed before our Executive Committee this morning and in pursuance of which they appointed a Committee consisting of our Architect James Renwick and our Superintendant Mr DuBois to visit your City to examine the heating of the extensive Green houses [+ca] under your care, and erected under your Supervision and to consult with you generally upon the Subject of Heating & Ventilation. You may therefore expect to see these gentlemen in the Course of the present week unless Mr R: should be absent from home or otherwise prevented I am dear Sir Yours respectfully 63 March 28 Mr. Howard Daniels. Druid Hill Park Baltimore Md Dear Sir Refering to our late correspondence on the Subject of laying out the V.F College Grounds, the Executive Committee have requested me to write you to be informed how soon it would be convenient for you to visit PoKeepsie with reference to that object, and upon what terms. Will you please to write immediately as we have purchased part of nursery of Evergreens & ornamental deciduous trees and would prefer to transplant them this Spring if we can do so. Yours truly P S. As there is no time to be lost perhaps you had better call on Mr. Renwick 88 Wall Street N Y. & have him come up with you immediately April 23d 1863 Honbl Gilbert Dean Assembly Albany Dear Sir Through the Press of this City I learn of the Amendment you have moved to the Bill respecting the appropriation of moneys [+ca]. Accept my thanks for your attentions to the interest of Vassar Female College; and believe me, in promoting those interests you are advancing the true and the higher interest of the people. We trust our College will be a powerful Engine in forming the coming generations of the Empire State; but that it may exert the highest amount of benificient influence, it will need to receive Something from the County of the State which has always been so liberally bestowed on other Colleges. Surely the daughters of the State are not less worthy of its beneficence than its Sons. If the men of future generations are to be worthy citizens, you must train the mothers who Shall train those men. As you have this matter in hand I trust you will urge it forward with your usual ability, energy & Success I am dear Sir Yours very respectfully 64 April 25th JS. Renwick Jr Dear Sir I have this morning received a letter from Mr. Howard Daniels Baltimore in answer to mine of the 21st inst inquiring whether he could visit Po: with reference to laying out Grounds in Connexcion with yourself. The reply he will come on at once upon notice and I have wrote him this morning to so do, and call upon you when you will both come up together. It is getting late for transplanting Fruit & Deciduous Trees, and what is to be done this Spring must or ought to be attended to immediately Write me on Monday whether you can accompany Mr Daniels, as my health is not over good to go over the Grounds with him I am Dear Sir Yours [+ca] May 1s 1863 Janus Renwick Esq. Dear Sir The Bearer Howard Daniels Esq and myself have been making a general Examination of our College grounds with reference to the Avenues, Walks [+ca] and he will take the opportunity on his return to your City to consult with you upon the Subject, We deem this work of so much importance that every matter constructed with convenience & decorative approaches & planting should be well considered. Whatever plan you & he may adopt will be approved by our Executive Committee. Respectfully May 9th 1863 Rufus Babcock DD This morning, after my return from the Po Rural Cemetary where by appointment I went to meet the Sexton or Keeper of the Grounds to remove the remains of my poor wife to her last resting place in the family Plot, - I received your very polite note of the 7th with inclosure. The latter I handed at once over to our President to reply as it is not my purpose nor wish to have any thing to do in matters of the College appointments for I am persuaded that I am neither competent or am I . 65 inclined to assume responsibility were nothing can be gained for myself of the Institution. Already have there been conflicts in its workings thus far, and I am Sure therefore there will be in the future. My business is to build, Endow and outfit the College, and I shall have nothing to do with its internal organization. Your number One and two Statements by Mrs. Babcock is entirely misapprehended. I merely remark. this to her under the first head That at the last June Meeting you Suggested the propriety and did bring forward a Resolution to make a few Official appointments, but when it was remarked that Such appointments in the absence of our President might not Seem Courteous to him you at once concurred, withdrew the Suggestions and the matter was dropped. I refer you to the Secretary Minutes for these facts. I have now in my possession the Copy of the letter I wrote after the June Meeting to Prof: Jewett and you may have an opportunity of seeing it at any time when you can come to Po. Your visit to Nantucket to See Miss Mitchell was at your own Suggestion and approved by our Ex Committee who authorized me to pay or the Treasurer to pay your Expenses so that no blame whatever rested on you or on me in that matter. The truth is as I believe that neither any thing you have done or left undone in connection with our College Matters have altered Prof Jewetts feelings towards you as I know of, but that Somebody has prejudiced his mind against you I believe You will excuse me if I rest my pen here as my head is beginning to get dizzy. At another day I hope to write or explain personally more fully. Yours truly [+ca] May 12th 1863 Rev Rufus Babcock DD My dear Friend Since my last of the 9th Current Scarcely an hour has passed without my mind reverting to our College matters and bringing you in the [Connectione]. In my last I briefly adverted to some incidents which may have changed Prof Jewetts mind in relation to you. Altho they were far from being Satisfactory even to myself yet whatever they may be, have had their influence, I am Sorry, very Sorry indeed that Such should 65 [note- prior page is also listed as 65] be the circumstances as to leade to such results, but I know not what to do, and would only advise patience & forbearance on your part perhaps Something may turn up to remove them before the June meeting, should this not be the case then I have in my mind another Scheme for your Co=operation in promoting our Enterprize which I think will be honorable & gratifying to you and all concerned. At a proper time I will make it known to you and I am persuaded it will meet your hearty response, and cannot in any way effect our President otherwise than for good. Do not let the development of the past few days dishearten or discourage you, time works wonderful changes in mens minds perhaps the Causes which led to change Jewetts, may be removed whatsoever they may be. Truly your friend [+ca] May 12, 1863 J. Renwick, Jr. Dear Sir Expecting to see you after your return to town on Monday I omitted saying anything to you on the Subject of having NV Garvy make up his plastering Mortar Some Months or so before using, you are fully aware of this practice for the permanency of the Walls, and should insist on its being so done. Mr. DuBois says he has no experience in this part of the works and I am therefore more persuaded of the necessity of having an experienced workman attending at the Building to see that all matters & things connected with the interior mason work of the building be well and thoroughly done. I have never had any particular anxiety respecting any part of the work until NOW, that is the interior finish. As to the laying out of the Grounds & planting this season is now too far advanced for the latter, and must wait the fall for so doing. I am suffering so much with my old complaint dizziness [+ca] that it is only here & there a day I can attend to College business. Yours in haste 66 May 22d, 1863 Miss Emma C Church care of Messrs Freebrorn & Co Rome Dear Madame For the first time this morning I or our Executive Committee apprized of the Completion & delivery of the two pictures painted by you for the Vassar Female College and now in the hands of John Monroe & Co Paris, profoundly do I regret that the Knowledge of their Deposit with that house as not a moments delay would have occurred in remitting them a bill of Exchange for the amount. Your letter to Doctor Jewett of the 18th April I saw for the first time this morning. This however was owing to his absence from home on professional business & being directed especially to him was not sent me by his family to open Prof: Jewett goes to N.Y this Evening & the Treasurer have given him a check for $1200 to purchase a Bill of Exchange to remit John Monroe & Co by the Steamer of to morrow. Prof Jewett will write you by the Ships Mail Yours truly in haste MV P S. Had you written me a Copy of your letter to Jewett of the 18th April it would have obviated all delay [+ca] May 30th 1863 Rev Rufus Babcock DD My dear Friend I am this morning in receipt of yours of yesterday and allow me to repeat that I deeply deplore and most sincerely regret the position of the private affairs between you and Prof. Jewett and would to God I could enterpose some paliatives, but I Know not how or where to begin, if I did I certainly would for a Knowledge of a disease is said to be half of its cure. From my inmost heart I believe Prof. Jewetts prejudices against you are candid and honest and will never be changed unless the circumstances which induced them and led his mind to the present Stand 67 point are removed, whatever these maybe he says he is willing and ready to disclose at the proper time. I would prefer to observe entire silence on what I suggested in my last letter until our next private interview or a little while before the June Meeting or perhaps it may be most adviseable to wait untill after the meeting at any rate it must be made at a private interview. Having Some pressing engagements on hand this morning I offer as an apology for this brief note in answer to yours before me. I remain my very dear friend June 20 1863 Revd. Rufus Babcock My dear friend. Yours of yesterday the [1st] is before me, and which I have read with much interest as I do any thing from your pen. In answer to your first enquiry whether I had seen his two letters to you and your answer to his first I reply substantially I have altho not perhaps the identical or original ones send you, they were both mailed I believe before he read the Copies (if Copies) to me. When Prof Jewett Spoke to me of these letters (: I believe it was the first) that I reluctantly wish to be a party to the controversy but if I was drawn into it should Keep back nothing from you or him, would be frankly just between you both. He then remark that he took the responsibility entirely on himself and would by no means draw me into the controversy. As matters now Stand it is impossible for you to fill any chair in the College of which Prof Jewetts is President. I speak this from a Knowledge of facts, because I do believe that if I was to make it a point and insist on your Chaplainship or any other office in the College, Prof Jewetts would at once resign. I cannot go into an argument or take part in one between you and him because I Know it would be useless so far as to reconcile his feelings and it was for 68 this reason that I stated in my last that I thought it best in your to remain entirely Silent till a private interview with you either before or after the June Meeting, I do not Know which his purposes are in regard to calling the Committee on Faculty & Studies together earlier than the June Meeting, but will enquire when I next See him. He has been absent a day or two and is not very busy in his own Study at home. I as glad to hear of Prof Robinsons was reviving altho yet quite low. Your affectionate friend June 5th 1863 Revd Charles A Raymond Sir I have held your last letter under consideration for Several days, my feeble health forbidding me to enter into particulars respecting the contents, I must only say that having visited Drs Willard Parker of N.Y: last week, he was imperious in his advice I must have rest, he also said the brain was taxed too much I must talk and think less, I must give it up, therefore I shall follow his advice. The erecting of the College and endowing it is business enough for me. I have chosen a President in whom I have unshaken confidence, a board of Trustees equally as trustfully; with them the College will Stand or fall. On the President I throw the great responsibility cheerfully. I am much obliged to you for the interest that you have expressed for the Institution and the proferred advice, but my health and the Doctors commands will prevent me from participating any more in the plan of organization on those grounds I must be excused as my health is greatly suffering by reason of over taxation of the brain. I cannot however let his opportunity pass without acknowledging your Kindness and the valuable Suggestions & services thus far rendered in College matters and for which I beg you to accept my warmest thanks with the enclosed note 69 of yours payable to my order. Say $262 with Interest I have requested our Clerk Mr Schon to copy this note conforming to my Physicians instructions avoiding Brain labor. Yours truly M Schon for Mr. Matth. Vassar Poughkeepsie July 16 1863 Miss Emma C: Church My dear Madame. I were duly put in receipt of your Kind favor of the 20th Ultimo with enclosures [+ca] and would have acknowledged this Sooner to release your anxiety, but were waiting the arrival of the pictures. They are now safely at hand and are temporarily placed in my domicil for Security but not for exhibition as I am unwilling for the public to see them until our Art Gallery at the College is finished. You are aware of the great disadvantage & injustice done to an Artist in not having their works properly exhibited, I therefore will not allow but few persons to see them and those only of our Executive Board. It is Some times a virtue to acknowledge ones ignorance, this I now have an opportunity to do, I profess to be no critic in judgment of your art, but there are those in our Board who are, and I am happy to inform you that your pictures fully sustain their highest expectations. With regard the Bust to be executed by Miss Hosmer, I cannot at this moment Speak, and some of our Committee being from town would not feel authorized to do more about it at present than to ascertain from Miss H the probable cost, which I will lay before them at early meeting after the receipt of her answer. You having suggested whether if the other two pictures does not reach us before the fall 64 would be soon enough. I answer, yes, to reach us say by Septr 1. 64. 70 Hereafter, you will Send the other two without frames, as it is an expense to pack and transport So large packages, by giving us the size and style of the frame we can have them executed in N:Y: ready by the time they arrive. I will not Speak of our political troubles, you will find abundance to read and crimson your cheek as an American in the Journals from the 12th to 15th [inst]: I would add further but President Jewett will write you in a day or two, on his return from New Haven I remain Dr Miss Church Yours very truly [+ca] Sept 2d 1863 Rev Chs. A. Raymond Dear Sir Your letter of the 13th Ulto I found on my desk on my return from Newport after an absence of some four weeks to the SeaBord for the benefit of my health, which must be my apology for not replying sooner. I have perused the same with as much attention as my feeble state of health will admit, and regret extremely that your feelings should be in the least degree cool towards me as you say in the first paragraph that you was not Surprised at the tone of my letter after Jewetts treatment [+ca] towards you. Allow me to say very honestly and promptly that I have not had nor would I take any part in the private questions or controversy between you and Prof Jewett, I was and have as far as I Know been entirely neutral, that the latter has done the fair thing with you I am not prepared to say Yes or No as I have not seen all your correspondence that you have strove to render the College enterprize a Success by adopting your plan of organization. I have always acknowledged and intended the return of your note [+ca] as a compensation for that trouble, and for no other purpose and I thank you then and again at this time for it. Miss Germond accompanied us to Newport, she writes in her best regards. The article in Harpers Montly I have not yet seen I will get it, as she will be pleased to read any thing from your pen. Very respectfully Verte 71 P S. You will excuse this coming in our Clerks Mr Schons handwriting as I was unable to do more than give a rough draft for him to copy Sam: Gregory M D Secretary N.E. Female Med: College Boston Novbr 6 1863 My dear Sir. Permit me to thank you for your fifteenth Annual Catalogue & report to the New England Female Medical College and while penning this last sentence I am reminded of the Critiscism now going on among several of our Litterati regarding the Etomology of the Vassar Female College, Several of them advising a change to Vassar Girls College or College for young Ladies as the term female more directly apply to the brute creation [+ca]. I cannot however at this moment enter into the merits of the controversy, Suffice to say as we have adopted the customary name to designitate the character of our Institution. I hardly think it of Sufficient importance to change its title at this late day notwithstanding the critisicm of Mrs. Hale Edifice of the Godey Book & others. You will see in the forthcoming numbers from 1 January ensuring the Subject fully discussed [+ca]. I have read your last annual catalogue with much interest. I most Sincerely hope you may be able to make a beginning for your building for the College, purchase of lots [+ca]; do let me know how you Succeed, I have so much interest in your Success of your noble enterprize, that altho not very flush with means will do something for it Respectfully 72 Novbr 17th 1863 Prof: S F B Morse New York My deal Friend. I am just in receipt of your Kind note of yesterday enclosing a letter from Miss Anne S. Toffey Cambridge of 12th Current also duplicate letters from the Honbl. Charles Summer & Louis Shiers commending a Catalogue of valuable unique engravings owned by Mrs Clark, widow of the late E. P. Clark and now offered for Sale. The Subject will be laid before our Exe Committee at their meeting on Monday next and I have notified Miss Toffey of the Subject by this days mail. Will inform you & her of the result soon. With much respect I am dear Sir Yours very truly Novbr 17th 1863 Miss Ann S. Toffey Cambridge Dear Madame. I received this morning letter [+ca] from my friend & townsman Prof. S.F.B. Morse respecting a Collection of valuable unique engravings which are for Sale by Mrs Clark widow of the late E.P. Clark of your City and which collection he recommends to the attention of the Trustees of V.F. College. I Shall lay the Subject next week before our Exe Committee and write you the results of their deliberation immediately thereafter I am dear Madame Yours very respectfully Novbr 23d 1863 Revd. E. L. Magoon D D Chairman of the Committee of the Art Gallery of V. F. College My dear friend! Enclosed you will find letters received from Miss Anne S. Toffey Cambridge by Prof. S.F.B. Morse respecting a Catalogue of valuable Unique Engravings now for Sale by the widow of the late E.P. Clark and which Collection as you will perceive the owner is anxious to be purchased and placed in the V.F.C: The Executive Committee regarding the matter as properly 73 belonging to the Committee on Art and as you are the honbl. Chairman with propriety, they have authorized me to say and especially in view of your high taste and culture in these matters, that you visit Cambridge, examine the Collection and learn what Specimens of these find engravings would be important for the College to possess, if any, and what price they can be obtained at private sale. Your expenses [+ca] will be paid by the Exe: Committee I am dear Sir Yours truly M V. P.S. Since writing the above I have again called the attention of our Executive Committee to the Collection of Engravings [+ca] of E F. Clark and they wish me to inform you, that if you can possibly make it convenient to come to Poughkeepsie to consult with them further in the matter of purchase and to examine the paintings made by Miss Emma Church last fall as we have this morning had another letter from her with reference to another painting for the College now in process of execution, which she has an opportunity to Sell at an advanced price, and the Committee thinks it would be adviseable to part with it as the Exchange will enhance the price some 50 percent on the Cost. The last picture will cost some $1200 to $1500. Yours truly M V Novbr 23d 1863 Miss Anne S. Toffey Cambridge Dear Madame. Referring to my letter of the 17th Current I have this day laid before the Exe Committee of V.F: College your Several documents relating to the Catalogue of Engravings of the late E.P. Clark and in pursuance of which they have instructed me to write to the Revd. E.L. Magoon, Albany, Chairman of the Committee on Arts of V.F.C: to visit your 74 City with reference to an examination of Said Collections & upon the result of Such examinations the Exe. Committee will be governed accordingly and determine what they will do in the premises. immediately thereupone I remain Dr Madame Yours truly M V. November 28 1863 Revd. E.L. Magoon DD Dear Doctor I have yours of yesterday, quite Spicy and pointed, I dont blame you a bit; I hope you dont me; you have good reasons why you cannot go to Cambridge to look after pictures; this department has workd bad, but do not blame me, as Soon as I could I stopd it, only 2 has come to hand, the other two ordered from Miss Church will not be finished before next fall. At our next meeting of our Board of Trustees I will tell you all about matters. Yours truly, M.V. PS. We have just received another letter from Miss [Toffey] informing us that the Catalogue of prints are Sold for $9,000 So it was well you did not go. December 15th 1863 My dear Miss Church care of Treeborn & Co Bankers Rome. Delays are not always disappointments, they often inure to our benefits, whether the delay of my answer to your Kind favor of the 27 Octbr will prove true in this case, time will determine. Soon after the receipt of your last I took the earliest opportunity to lay it before our Ex: Committee, but without their taking any action thereon the fact is, this matter of buying pictures has given me some trouble. I will briefly state them. When Prof. Jewett was in England and Rome in the Summer of 62 he wrote to me not as Chairman of the Ex: Com of V.F.C, but personally avoiding all acts that more 75 properly belongd to the Committee on Fine Arts which is composed of Prof. S.F.B. Morse, Benson J. Lossing (Historian) E.L. Magoon DD, Honbl. Ino Thompson and Ino Guy Vassar, and in as much as the Chairman of that Committee had not been advised or consulted, a little feeling of jealousy was created, So much so, as one or two of them have since declined to co=operate and they have not Seen your first pencillings & a fine Engraving now in my possession bought by Mr Jewett. Seeing this matter hangs five and unwilling to widen the breach I informed the Board of Trustees yesterday that to remove all trouble, I would take the picture now in process of execution (: Foligno) off your hands and present it to the College gratis Sooner than to have any further trouble or feeling upon it. The whole matter now stands between us, you and me, and therefore I wish (especially as you have an opportunity to dispose of it to other parties) to inform me at once the lowest price for it, framed in a neat plain manner, boxd, packed and delivered onboard of any Packet bound to N.Y City at your convenience after its completion and render me bills of lading that I may insure [+ca]. This course I have adopted, first to save all further murmerings and Secondly to give an opportunity to indorse my prudence in Selecting an artist who I believe will do us the highest Credit to the profession of our Countrys women abroad. Therefore Should you be Successfull in the celebrated work of the worlds great master Raphael Foligno it will releave me from no little unpleasant feelings but immortalize your name in the estimates of every lover of the art who may visit V.F. College for years to come. You will now understand that the immortal Foligno is executed on my account consulting your own convenience as to time for its execution, applying the College funds now in your hands on it account and the balance will be promptly paid on its delivery aforesaid [+ca] at Leghorn or any other port of embarkation you may Select Yours respectfully PS. The fourth picture you propose to paint for the College must of course depend upon circumstances, that is, how acceptable the 3d proves. 76 22 Decbr 1863 Rev. E. L. Magoon DD My dear friend Our Secretary Mr. Swan has this moment showd me your letter of yesterday to the Trustees of V.F. College purporting to resign your position in their Board, with accompanied reasons therefore, all of which have weighed deeply on my mind, and I could not rest untill you had been seen on the Subject & that before laying it before our Exe: Committee in the hopes that you will reconsider this matter and consent to retain your place in the Board. I would come up myself but my health do not permit & therefore Mr. Swan goes up to morrow morning to see you. If there is any thing outside of the doings of the Exe: Committee that has induced to this proceeding on our part, do my dear friend inform me, if not, and only as you remark to enable you to lay aside all wordly engrossment, that you may devote your life more to the cause of truth & righteousness, then I would beg to remark, what medium is there on earth more directly effectual than the early training of children thro the moral and religious influences that will be inculcated in the College as I stated in my address at the meeting of the Trustees 1861, besides, your resignation will be taken advantage of by numerous fem al Educational Rivals and turnd to our special disadvantage both here and in other places. I pray therefore my dear friend do re=consider this matter and remain in our Board, I cannot consent to part with you. Do write me, but dont resign Yours very truly December 24 1863 My dear Miss Church Since I last wrote our John G. Vassar one of the Committee on Fine Arts will Sail on Saturday or Monday for Europe and I have requested him to take Rome on his Route and call upon you, not that I have any Special message to 77 send by him but to make your nearer and Special acquaintance, and thus be as the modern Spiritualist say in direct Communication with our invisible friend. You can not imagine how anxious I am that the picture (the Foligno) now in process of execution Should prove a great success. There is so many speculations and wide spread interest in our Country respecting the great productions of the several Schools and artists, that I feel an intense desire that your penciling Should prove a model. There has been a little disorder in our Committee on Fine Arts originating from trifling circumstances, but widening into a breach, followed by the resignation of the Chairman of the Committee Doctor Magoon, but I hope he will yet retain his Seat. The attention of this Committee has been recently called to examine a Collection of choice Engravings with Some interesting drawings in Water Colors [+ca], the property of the late E. P. Clark of Boston, valued at some $9,000, perhaps the largest in America, but before our Committee on Fine Arts could get together, (some being absent from home) the whole Catalogue was Sold at about that Sum to a gentleman of great wealth in Boston. A Gentleman here has called our attention to a Collections of original drawings & Engravings belonging to the Estate of the Duke of Caisano at Naples valued at some 12,000 ducats containing 1268 drawings original by the Old masters and 26000 Engravings of all times, illustrating the history & progress of that art, being the best engravings by the first masters of that art, all of which can be had for perhaps 8 to 10,000 ducats, but this collection is much greater than the College need & unless it could be purchased & divided with some other parties, we shall give no attention to it. I regret that some of our Committee on Fine Art are absent from the City for I wanted to say something in this letter about your two pictures received. We are now about in the midst of Holliday Seasons, which reminds me to join in the usual compliments with a long & useful life. I remain dear Miss Church. Your very truly 78 December 30th 1863 Revd E. L. Magoon DD Albany My very dear friend If you only knew how anxious I am to learn your final decision in the matter of retaining your position in the board of Trustees in the V. FC I Know you would not consider this letter an intrusion on your valuable time. The more I have reflected upon your proposed resignation, the more I am convinced it will operate to the Serious disadvantage of our enterprize. We have among us many good sort of people that are often Shrugging up the Shoulders accompanied with significant gestures as to the final Success of the College enterprize and whom in the event of a failure would not Sob aloud with regrets or griefs Oh for humanity poor humanity, but it is just here as elsewhere, we are not worse (tho I say it with some reluctance) than those on whom the Town of Sileam fell, Do my dear friend think twice before you act once and if be possibly consistent with your other relations of duty retain your position in the Board [+c]. Wishing you & yours the best compliments of the Season I remain dear Sir Yours truly Tuesday Morning January 3rd 1864 Rev E. L. Magoon DD My very Kind friend In answer to your valued letter of 12 pages written on New Years morning, I am sincerely & heartily glad to notice that the day dawned upon you so cheerfully and auspiciously that all the world was left behind and passing thought to me by acknowledging my letter [+ca] however much I felt my need of your friendly advise, I could hardly amist all your Pastoral and social studies at this festival season expect a reply. You have however favored me, and of such a length and character that commends both your patience, generosity and goodness. Its fullness and depth of illucidations in the matter of our gallery 79 of fine Arts, abounds with important Suggestions and instructions in the making up of that department, and it was for this very reason that I felt and expressed that there was wanting in our Board the right man for that place, and for that reason urged you to retain your position, your artistic taste and capacity for illu=strating and developing those sciences by appropriate embellishment in the Gallery of Arts in V.F College, and it was Specialy the wish of the Founder that its walls and portfolios should be adorned with the most significant expressive & instructive educating forces of those materials, as I have allways believed that if Man delights in the natural material works of his maker they will greatly aid his moral and spiritual Culture, and thus Look up from nature to natures God, and for that reason (as you justly observe) We want a Gallery of diversified actualities in artistic Elegance [+ca], to illustrate the loftiest principle and refine the heart. Now my dear friend tell me how to do this thing best [?] I am not connoisseur myself, nor do I Know of any one in our honbl. board besides yourself that can, but how can I expect you to leave your sacred and gracious calling to serve tables but Some one must, our President cheerfully would, but like myself has not the Capacity or he would not have ordered from our undistinguished american artist four pencillings of so large a Size at so great cost to adorn the walls of V.F.C: had their cost been laid out in Several original copies (as you suggest) by different celebrated artists on different Subjects it would perhaps not been amiss _ however let this now pass__ I have assumed the two other pictures now in process of execution So the Trustees Shall not complain. We think of holding the February meeting, alltho there is no special business save the examination of the revised plain or document of Organization & which could be without material disadvantage deferred to our June Meeting. I wish my health would allow me to come up to Albany to see you which I want to very much but I am troubled with Such constant vertigo or dizziness I cannot, I am now 80 writing these lines aside of my couch in my own domicil as I cannot go to the Office, nor have I been for several days, you will please therefore to excuse this hasten written sheet, also ink it have been frozen Will you not allow your letter thrown into a different form as you may prefer to be read as your report at our next meeting of Trustees. If you will, it will gratify me, and may if you wish be regarded as at my Suggestion. If it is possible for me to come up the last of this or the early part of next week I will, therefore please to inform me what days you are mostly at leasure. With my warmest regards to you & yours I remain Truly yours [+ca] January 15th 1864 E.L. Magoon DD My dear friend. Since our short and pleasant interview at your domicil on Wednesday I have been exercising my thoughts on the Suggestions you then made as to the manner of making up our Gallery of Art, convinced as I am, if properly and artisticly arrange will do more or at least as much as any other appropriation to the College in Securing a favorable public estimation of the Institution and therefore as you justly remarked its Special purpose Should be to elevate and involve the minds of the pupils with the most refined and perfect specimens illustrating that Science, I do not now speak of its advantages in its moral bearings; which by so doing would extend these remarks beyond my present purpose Suffice to say I want our College to possess your Collections, but as that is a matter that more especially belong to the Committee in that department I shall wave further considerations upon it till their next meeting. I was out to the College Buildings yesterday. The principal room is the Library apartment, - is there any method of hanging pictures around its walls than the manner you have adopted, viz. to avoid the least mutilation of the walls. After our separation yesterday, I could not help thinking what a narrow escape you had from fire within the short space of another hour all would been ended in a mass of ruins how great issues hangs in a thread of time, Such are the chances of life, we only exist by moments, the next perhaps we are in eternity 81 Why cannot man fully apprehend the thought, to be or not to be thats the Question. Our Presidents left home yesterday noon for N. York to me by appointment some gentlemen whom are applicants in the professional department of music Jewett regards this department as very important branch of instruction, both for the reputations and [pecuniary] advantages of the College. We have some 30 defined Pianoforte rooms for practice, converging halls or passage ways to the platform of the great audience room which will seat some 1000 or more persons. There was one topic which I had not time to consult you upon viz. The policy of a permanent stated Chaplainsship or the duties of that office to be self imposed by the different religious instruction in the Institution There has been much discussion in this to avoid the imputation of sectarians, on the other we must take care not to incline too far from the true Catholic evangelical Sentiments and practice. It is therefore by this middle course we hope to demonstrate to the public that V.F.C. is the peoples College, and whatever difference there may be in creeds there is not any in the great fundamental truth of the precious bible, without note or comment special religious views of doctrines - should I insist upon there adoption by others who may differ with me but I leave the further discussions of this till we next meet I reported our visit to your house to Prof. Jewett and my Nephew W V F who will call and see you and your collections soon. I remain Yours truly 82 Copy of letter to a intimate friend written in July 1862 My dear friend Your esteemed favor of the 29th and 31st Ullo, the latter confidential were duly received, and it gives me much pleasure not only to read them but to answer them, I must however do so as briefly as possible as I wish you to be possessed of my views in the important Suggestions made to me in the latter as soon as possible in order to relieve your mind. Allow me then to remark that it is the first intimation that I have had of the intention of the Board of Trustees making any appointments of Officers in the V.F.C. at their meeting and if any Such purposes are contemplated I shall oppose it on the ground of premature policy, and more especially in the absence of our President, I think you may discuss your fears at once in that matter, besides when the proper time come to fill the respective official departments there will likely be a Council appointed to confer with the President whose duty it will be to recommend or nominate to the Board Suitable persons for the respective departments, I have long since formed my opinion as to the Kind and qualifications of men and things, their fitness for posts and places, and while the hoary head is often the seal of wisdom, it is not allways the vehicle of a great mental action, it cannot give that inspiration to the youthfull mind as those in nearer affinity of years. It takes Young America to advance to the [pioner] of progression, the fathers to hold on to the old homestead, and this rule applies to every principle of human pursuits & actions. There must not be, and there will not be with my consent a nursery opened in V.F. C. for mere Sincecures; influences are constantly working to this end in the Church, State and public institutions of our Country. Nothing is so destructive to my Bee-Apiary at Springside as the confounded old Drones bees, they neither gather hony themselves, nor let those that would be busy, work. I make no special application of this idea to any person but only as a general principle. I set out with no favoritism as such in the beginning of our enterprize and intend if God spare my life to carry it out. 83 I wish our Institution to be free from Such biases as we propose to have it free from Sectarian or family biases; whatever is for the best good of our Institution be the Motto for all time. I have now covered one side of my sheet and must look it over to see what I have written for my thoughts go as Swift as a mill race, and leaves about as much impression on the memory as the flowing waters on the Sides of the conduct. The first thing that now arrest my attention in your note to be noted is the compliments passed respecting my mental vigor [+ca]; did I not believe you to me my true friend I would take it to be simple bombast. I shall try to heed your admonition not to weary myself too much about the College altho you have set me a severe task, it is so sterotyped upon my brain, I can think of nothing else. Day before yesterday I took my daily round (with our old friend & townsman Late from now 19 years absent) [+ca] [+ca] January 19th 1864 Professor M B. Anderson I.I.D My dear friend It is told of one just from the Emerald Isl that some dock sharper sold him an Owl for a parrot; in passing to his Boarding house a gentleman enquired of [Pat] what he had there, a Parrot your honor, well can he talk much, not yet your honor, but he will shortly be after it, for he Keeps up a good deal of thinking. Now I am much in the same predicament as the Irishmans parrot with large glossy eyes waiting for twi=light to set in so that i can see for I have been so long surrounded with the brilliancy of professional acumen, that I have almost lost all my common sense. Now that our College Edifice is drawing near to completion, and Out Buildings & Ornamental grounds finished up or at least will be by the ensuing fall, the subject of furnishing & opening the College begins to engross our attention. We possibly could by strong pressure of our mental & physical muscles get prepared to fix the day on the 1st September next, but this must 84 be accomplished by stirring & active efforts and at the Sacrifice of 30 toc40 percent advance for war prices on all its interior equipments, bed & bedding, furniture, Kitchen & culinary appendages. The question therefore to determine is Shall we go on regardless of difference in values between peace & war times or wait quietly a year or two for the suppression of the rebellion & return of Specie Currency. True our assets (some of them are inflated by this paper currency & will go down on the return of peace but not equal to the amount of other Kind values. Our College assets will not average an interest of 7 [PC.] pr Annum. Would it be wise therefore to take the last eggs out of their nest & put them into brick, Stone& Mortar. Prof Jewett is rather a Young American he is for going ahead, our Executive Committee are for going slow, Sure & strong, not for one day only, but for generations after us, that is, lay our foundation So deep that it will endure for ages, not Kill the Goose for Sake of her golden egg. I suppose you have been informed by Prof Jewett of our contemplated meeting next month with its business objects, the chief of which will be the adoption of his plan of Organization and perhaps there may be Some attempts at official appointments, Well, are you prepared to meet this question, I shall oppose all appointments that involve Out=goes too early, and I am not so Sure but Some other system can be. adopted whereby fixed emoluments to Professors & others may be substituted for working sliding scale, it is much more easy to follow in the wake of old customs, than to strike out new ones. The present age has unfolded if not new things, a new way of doing old ones. Once the old Stage coach had its rule of Fares regulated according to the distance travelled, now the modern Omnibusses regards not space but fix the fares long or short at one price. The modern Hotel charges for what you order not for what you eat and House is furnished by the owner with all its equipments to the Landlord, and he sails the ship, how would such plan work for our College, The Trustees furnish & rent the Buildings & appurtenances to one, two or more Professors or Educators at a certain perCentage on each pupil, over a minimum number. I have not freed the rule but it should necessarily be on a Sliding scale, On this principle also the Educational department may be based, Similar to the present 85 University plan, impart to the pupils what learning they are able to pay for & give them diplomas for what they have learnt. The birth is the age is rapidly throwing aside old forms & customs and adapting systems more in harmony with the genius of the American people, but I have wrote enough to tire you I fear, allow me just to say that I have read your articles in the Examiner on the Condition of english Society [+ca] with much interest and shall preserve them to read over again at another day Hoping to see you at or before the February meeting I remain Yours [+ca] PS. I have thrown out the above hints on the College Organization, Professors [+ca] at random because I know you to be well posted on these subjects and may have learnt something during your late tour in Europe. When you come to the February meeting, please to make my domicil your quarters for the time being. If you take the H. River [Cars] on Monday I will meet you at the depot at any hour you name to arrive. I expect or at least shall invite Dr. Magoon to be our guest on that occasione. Yours [+ca] Poughkeepsie January 25th 1864 My dear Mrs. Hale I am in receipt of your Kind & valued note President Jewett of the 19th Current and have read over and given your suggestions the most profound consideration. At the incipient stage of the contemplated Scheme (Vassar F.College) before [lisping] the idea to any mortal, I first conferred with my friend Prof. Jewett whom had been extensively engaged at the South in the Education of Ladies, and from whom I not only received a full indorsement of my views, but he largely contributed to aid me in its further development & thus resulted in my poor endeavours to do what I intimated at my brief opening address at the 86 February meeting 61. I only add that our Executive Committee has authorized the publication of the article in the January Number of your Ladys Book that is, our secular paper has solicited the permission thus Signifying the interest they take in the view of the article by republishing it at their own Cost. The Subject of Women Professors & teachers is more fairly before our Trustees, who at their Meeting 23rd [proximo] will report their views, and decide if it can be safely adopted in our College at the opening. The only question that can possibly arise, is whether we can obtain prominent distinguished Ladies instructors to fill the Several chairs. Miss Maria Mitchell of Nantucket had been named by a gentleman of our Board of Trustees as Professor of Astronomy, but the planing & Erection of the Observatory having been under the Superintendance of Professor Farrar late of Elmira Female College N.Y, it is thought that the chair may be offered to him Yours very truly & respectfully January 28th 1864 Prof. M. B Anderson I.I.D My dear friend. I am in receipt of your very kind and valued letter of the 25th inst: and I scarcely Know which most to approve your sensible views upon the propriety of opening the College when the buildings is finished, or wait untill our terrible rebellion is substantially put down. What we would gain on the one hand as you justly observe, we might loose on the other, but I shall use my endeavours to push forwards the structure of the College Building & appendages as fast as possible avoiding extraordinary outlays. It is one thing to do these things well looking to the future durability and another thing doing them imperfectly. It is a massive Structure of masonry, all inside partitions walls solid brick work, and will take at least one Summer to thoroughly Season the whole: Thus far have allowed no fires inside the building, the walls are drying gradually, but still there is a cold dampness which it will take all of a Summer to remove. If in case we should open the College before it was 87 thoroughly dry and extraordinary cases of Sickness happen to the inmates, it would be at once ascribed to the location, especially by those who generally wish to look on the wrong Side of competitors doings. It is true we could hasten the drying of the interior walls by our Stream heating apparatus which we have decided upon with the gass works to be placed in a separate building 200 feet from the main and 75 below the foundation of the walls. These buildings will be located on the rear in line with the Astronomical Observatory now under construction I am glad to hear that your judgment indorses the wisdom of my course in the matter of completing the Structure [+ca] at once, when that is done, we shall not be troubled with workmen & others on the premises & thus avoid I think both expense and annoyances. Our Executive Committee are now making out a Schedule of Furnitures that is wanted with other equipments [+ca], including the Professors houses which by the bye the latter admits consideration whether the College had better furnish those apartments & familys, and if Widows Ladies Teachers Some may be thus situated also they may not all be Single Women. This is a question (: furniture) of some importance 1st The owner would allways take better care of their own property than other peoples 2nd There might be some objection to the lugging of Furniture to and from into the building in case of removal to say nothing of its fitness, cleanliness [+ca] [+ca]. 3rd It (: if furnished by the College) would somewhat reduce the annual pay of the respective chairs. You Know our first plan was to build Separate houses for the Professors on the College grounds, leaving only the officer President & family in the building but I will not enlarge as I hope to have the pleasure of meeting you so very soon and at my own domicil. I only add that in a conversation with Prof. Jewett the other day I believe he is half persuaded to have all female Professorships & teacher if they are to be had of a high order. Let us all deliberate well upon this point, I regard it as a very important consideration I send you p mail a Sheet containing an article from the Ladies 88 Booke January number, read it & let me know what you think of it. Yours truly PS. Call on your way on Monday 22d February upon Dr. Magoon and take a look at his Collections of fine Arts, then you & him take the Cars at 3PM. and on your arrival at 6 oclock take a Hack at Depot and come up quickly to my house. February 2d 1864 Honbl. Henry [Barnarde] Dear Sir It is a long time since I had the pleasure of exchange of letters with you but I have not the less often had you in my thoughts, and now as our College Edifice is drawing near to completion we are busying ourselves upon the plan of its Organization, official appointees [+ca] [+ca] .. It is not allways the best results are obtained from past things and practice, yet it one takes a step forward they are usually denounced as visionary, humbugs [+ca]. Some 30 years ago ( I will not now State the causes) I was led to idea that as woman had received from her Creator the Same intellectual constitution as man she had the same right to all its advantages. Now with a Single purpose more fully to illustrate that idea we want to begin our College with Female Professors & teachers if they can be had in America fitly qualified, except in a few departments, and it would give me great pleasure to Know your opinion on the Subject before the meeting of the Board of Trustees on the 23d Inst:. If it is not taxing your valuable time too much I should be very glad to hear from you. I remain Dear Sir M V. PS. There is a diversity of opinion in our Board of Trustees on this question and it causing no little discussion. With your permission would lay your reply to this letter before them. M V. 89 February 4th 1864 Dr. R: A: Fisher Dear Sir, Your letter of the 9 December at Paris addressed to President Jewett was handed to me a day or two since, and agreable to your wishes laid the same before our Executive Committee, when in their Session on Monday last authorized their Treasurer M. Vassar Jr to remit you by the first mail to the care of Messr. Monroe & Co. Paris a bill of Credit in the Sum of Five Hundred Dollars, that is, to place you in funds consent in Paris that amount, and this purpose will be effected by the Steamer leaving New York on Saturday and hope it will come to hand safe and in good season. I was with no Small difficulty the Board consented to make the loss on the Exchange, nevertheless having the largest confidence in your wisdom & personally Superintendance in this matter, they waived further questions feeling assured it will result to the positive benefit of the College, of course it is a rare opportunity to have their Professor abroad to make such purchases & should not misimprove it. Exchange is now 170 and probably will not be less untill our terrible rebellion is put down, which to day looks rather ominous as the rebels are making large preparation for a Spring Campaign so also with the Union Authority. President Lincoln has just call.d for another draft of 500,000 men, which added to the forces now in the field will make up an army of some 8 to 900,000. Our College Edifice is progressing finely, it will be ready to open by next fall I hope Wishing you Gods highest blessings & safe return I remain Yours truly PS. The Committee wishes me to say that they cannot especially direct you in the way of spending this Sum remitted & therefore it must rest upon your own discretion in purchasing no further than in articles entirely indispensable which may not be had in this country 90 February 6th 1864 Revd Chs A Raymond My dear Sir I am very busy just now in writing out what I want to say to our Board of Trustees of the annual meeting of the 23 proximo and in so doing I shall try to embody Such thoughts and ideas as will best convey my original idea on the education of woman and for which I especially gave the endowment of $408,000 for the building of the College, ignoring as much of the old Systems of instruction as I deemed wrong and intriducing Such new ones as I believed to be right and that plan is substantially akin to the one which we often talk over and which you wrote me So copiously about while Professor Jewett was in Europe in 1862, and which I stated more or less in my correspondence with him in his absence abroad. Some time after Prof. Jewett returned home he requested the use of these (his letter to me) letters a little while to refresh his memory & I loaned them to him which together with mine to him he says he burnt up, therefore I have not a scrap of any correspondence with Prof. J: during his professional tour to Europe in 1862. I have since much regretted this Circumstance as I want them occasionally for reference. With regard to Teacher, Instructors [+ca] and the System of Education I am of the same mind as I were Some 20 years ago viz Woman to educate her Sex. First the Mother, then a Female Teacher, and then the System allways to be the most Simple, comprehensive and least expensive. I then knew nothing or next to nothing about Colleges or Universitys, as I had never studied them, nor had I ever went to either for instruction all I wanted as the best that is the most direct and effectual way to elevate woman in the highest sphere of such Knowledge as God and nature has designed her, and after receiving your Several letters in 62 on this Subject they enlightened my mind Still further and it was by these combinations of Ideas that finally resulted in the adoption of them. Prof Jewett however differed from me and has to this day alltho I really think his mind has underwent a change. The Subject of Organization is near fairly up & will be laid before the Trustees 23 Inst. & will write you the result Yours truly 91 Poughkeepsie February 6th 1864 Professor M R. Anderson L L D Dear Sir. Allow me to occupy a moment of your time, merely to say that I am preparing my address to be read at the next meeting of the Board of Trustees, which address will fully define my views in regard to the Education of woman, embracing in its policy Woman as Educator of Woman, I may have some difficulty at first in finding competent Educators Then as to the System to be adopted in the Organization whether we shall strictly adhere to the University plan or modify it in some way to Suit our Speciality. Jewett goes the old College System with some Slight modifications but I believe will yield something further for the sake of harmony. If you come to my house the evening before the Meeting I will read over to you my address embracing my views [+ca] Yours truly February 26th 1864 Miss Sarah J. Hale Dear Madame Your favor of the 19th Current came duly to hand, but at a moment when I was intensely engaged in preparing for a Special adjourned meeting of the Board of Trustees to review the plan of Organization [+ca] of the College previously submitted to them, one of which I believe I sent you. This meeting was fully attended, much discussion on various topics transpired, and especially as regards the System of instruction & the professional appointees of the College thus far my views in long Unison with yours in favor of Ladies teachers has gained ground, and I am encouraged to believe, that if competent females can be obtained, every one of them will be filled by that Sex, and if not at the opening will soon thereafter. As soon as they can be printed will send you my address to the Board and that of Doctor Magoon, Chairman on the Committee of Art on the influence of the fine Arts upon Society. Our Board is composed of men of various talents most happily divided to promote the material & litterary advancement of the Institution, Such a combination of talent is rarely to be found in any Board. 92 Your wishes in the matter of change in the College name was fully discussed. B. J. Lossing and several others strenuously advocating its adoption and others opposing the most ifficient of these latter were Dr Bishop of NY. Dr Anderson of Rochester & Dr Raymond of Brooklyn. The final question of its adoption however was deferred until the regular annual meeting in June. It was resolved that the utmost exertion be made to open the College in Septr next, therefore if you Should in the intermediate time hear of any distinguished Ladies highly qualified to fill either of the Chairs, please to inform me. The Success of all true progress is earnestness, ability & perseverance with moderation. Men long wedded to old customs will reluctantly consent to change their opinions, altho fully convinced of their wrong, I therefore have advised to begin our College with only a portion of the chairs occupied by Ladies teachers, Ultimately we can make them for ourselves. I do not think our President heartily in favor of your idea of either altering the name of the College or adopting the policy of Ladies Professor = ship in general. I believe I informed you of having caused to be printed a number of Copies of your Sons article on that Subject. The idea is now fully before the public. We hope to develop it more largely. With much respect Yours [+ca] March 11th 1864 Mrs. Sarah J. Hale Dear Madame I send you by this days mail an abstract of my address delivered at an adjourned meeting of the Board of Trustees of V. F. College on the 23d Ultimo. As you have heretofore expressed your Kind Sentiment to me & my Enterprize and also thro the public Journal favoring the advancement of womans Social natural rights in the departments of Knowledge, and of her fitness and adaptation to promote the culture of her own Sex, I take the liberty of sending you the above and if you think it worthy to give it a place in your valuable Journal (Ladys Book) so that it may be more [extensibely] read by the 93 Ladies of our Country, than if published in other Secular Journals Hoping this will find you in health [+ca] I remain Yours truly March 23d 1864 Mrs. Sarah J. Hale My dear Mrs. Hale Yours of the 19th Current have just reached me, and as heretofore I do always value every article from your pen, not perhaps because they abound with vigorous Sentiments or furnished Sentences but because of their truthfulness, besides I feel happy to have one by my side whose idea is that Womans mental powers in this world are unappreciated or, if appreciated, Custom has prevented her from employing them. It is the idea that has given rise to much discussion between President Jewett and myself, he was willing to grant to me all my claim in this particular if I left him a majority of male Professors in the College, while I desired, and have Since demanded that every chair possible shall be filled by Women, and now I might as well say in this connection that by pressing this idea upon him that Vassar College shall be a College for Women, and not men in all its departments with some other matters (which I will not trouble you with ) may possibly lead to the Selection of some other person to fill that chair, however as you regard me the true friend of Women and I am desirous to avoid any convulsion in our Board, further action will be delayd until the meeting on the 28th June. My desire is now and always has been to make our College, not only a College to educate Women, but a College of instruction by women. Will you my dear Mrs. Hale continue to Support me in these views. I have already written Miss Maria Mitchell (thro a friend) and hope we may agree upon her as Professor of Astronomy. A letter from her this day encourages me to hope Success. I shall take an early opportunity to See Mrs. L. A Cuddelby or write to her and inform her of your friendship and 94 of my desire to avail myself of any Suggestion She may make. Dr. Jewett to whom you wrote on the Subject has not mentioned her name to me. With regard to the Chaplancy & chair of moral philosophy [+ca]. D. J. wanted these filled with Baptist, but while I was a Baptist by birthe, my father & mother Baptists by profession, have attended Baptist Church for over 60 years, was a Baptist in principle, built a Baptist Edifice in 1840 in the City of my own cost of $25000 and gave to the Society and from that time down to this very hour contributed annually 3 to 500 $ pr year for the Support of a Baptist ministry [+ca], yet I hold all Christians alike and thus wish to carry out the principle that all who truly love our Lord Jesus Christ and do his Will are brethren, outward forms of Religion are but aids, vitality or eternal life begins & end within the heart and not the head we must be born again. So much for my Sectarianisme I remain dear Mrs. Hale Yours [+ca] March 23d 1864 Mrs. L. A. Cuddelby School of Design, Coopers Institute NY. Dear Madame Your name has been credibly brought to my notice thro Mrs. Hale of Philadelphia as a Suitable Lady to take the Professorship of Reading, Elocution, Botany, Gymnastics [+ca] [+ca] in Vassar Female College whose authority and rank would be next to the President, and as our Board of Trustees are now receiving applications from different Sources to fill up these chairs, I have by the request of Mrs. H presumed to address you merely in the incipient Stage of the Organization, to be informed by you, what may be your pleasure or views in relation to this matter Yours respectfully 95 March 31s 1864 My dear Mrs. Hale Your valued letter with enclosure proof of an on Vassar College & its Organization for the Next No of your Ladys Book is received and I would thankfully return my best acknowledgment for them. Nothing Special has transpired in our College matters Since my last. By the Same mail with your letter I received one from your friend Mrs. Cuddelby in answer to mine of a previous date, in which she thanks me for the proposition made to her but says My position as Principal of the School of Design is so consonant to my taste, and I may say without vanity has been So Successful that only a decided increase of Salary would tempt me to leave it [+ca]. I shall thus let the Subject of her engagement rest till the meeting of the Trustees in June. You ask me to allow Dr. Jewett to see the proof which I will do the earliest opportunity, but Dr. Jewett has not shown me the Copy of your Sons letter, the fact is he and myself do not entirely harmonize on this subject, Having an appointment this morning, must be my apology for the brevety of this College Yours very truly April 2d 1864 Dear Mrs Cuddelby Your note of the 30th Ultimo came duly to hand and I wish it were in my power to communicate further information concerning our Institution. We are just now in the formative stage of existence. The Organization plan Submitted by Prof Jewett at the Trustee meeting in February last elicited much discussion and resulted in its entire rejectment and referred to a Special Committee to report thereon on the 28th June proximo. Our Trustees are Somewhat divided in Opinion, Some are for the adoption of the regular College Curriculum course of instruction, others are for classifying into Schools or branches of Study. 96 circumstances of life might require, but in no case would a pupil be admitted to the College less than One year, the whole College course being four years, but always giving Diplomas for the branches of Studies respectively acquired or attained Workmen are now engaged in fitting up our mineral & Geological Cabinets costing some $10,000 all told. If agreeable would be pleased to hear from you at any time between this & the June meeting. I remain respectfully, April 30th 1864 My dear Mrs. Hale Yours of the 31 Ulto. is received and my apology for omitting to remark in any former letters on the Subject of the Faculty being all Ladies, was for the very reason that I was apprehensive that the Trustees would not all of them yield to the Suggestion, nor were I sure that it would be fully Sustained if they did by public opinion, but throwing out my idea in advance and working up to it prospectively would cause less friction or opposition. So also with regard to the change of name or title of the College which would require Legislative authority or permission which I approve, So that when the time comes for me to donate a further Sum to the Institution I shall make this point (with some other matters) a condition of the Gift, which will exert an influence in the change, and thus meet out your views & mine. Whatever remarks therefore you may think proper to make in this matter in your next number of the Ladys book I hope you will do so in accordance with these views but upon your own authority, as I do not wish in this Stage of the Enterprize to be fully committed for policys Sake. I wrote Mrs. Cuddelby & received an answer and at her solicita = tion of being further informed on the plan of Organization [+ca] wrote her again to day. I will Send your Son H. Hale Esq my address this afternoon Yours truly 97 April 27th 1864 Rev. Henry Ward Beecher Altho I have not the pleasure of your personal acquaintance, I venture to address you without further apology. A vacancy has recently occurred in our Board of Trustees in the Vassar Female College by the resignation of President Jewett; for particulars I beg leave to refer to our mutual friend Prof Ino [H] Raymond L L D, and it being desirable to fill the vacancy speedily to avoid conflicting opinions by delay, I am prompted after consultation with Several members of the Board to solicite you to accept the nomination as Trustee, and if I receive your favorable answer by the 29th Inst: by Mi Raymond (at which time a meeting will be held to fill the Chair of Presidency) I will propose your name. I need not assure you that your acceptance would be highly gratifying to the entire Board & the whole community Yours very truly & respectfully, April 27th 1864 Prof Ino H Raymond LLD Dear Sir At my request Mr. Swan Saw you recently in reference to Mr Beecher being placed on the Board of Trustees. It seems that in the meeting in New York yesterday he was compelled in regard to truth & fairness to state what my wishes were & that Some of the gentlemen there present had doubts as to the propriety or desireableness of that appointment. After hearing what took place at that interview I am Still bound to say that it is my strong impression the appointment just now would have a good effect and it is my desire as well as my deliberate judgement that it should be made if Mr. Beecher can be induced to accept it, as I Sincerely trust he may. I have therefore written to him an open letter to this effect which I enclose that you may read & forward it to Mr. Beecher. I am happy in being able to look forward to the certainty of your appointment as President and with Such a flattering 98 unanimity. I wish you moreover to know that I shall look upon your acceptance as a personal favor to me & that I shall feel every assurance that under your guidance this Institution to which everything I hold dear Stands already pledged, will become assured of a most honored success Yours truly & respectfully April 28th 1864 Mrs. Sarah J. Hale Your letter of the 25th Current with enclosures of your Son & family photographs introduces me agreably to your very heart and gratifies me. I receive them as evidences of your good will to me personally & of your approval of my intentions at least, I Shall be glad to know a gentleman who has already ranked himself among the Savants of our land. The Extracts from the Ladys Book for June which you Send place myself not less than our College under obligations to you for your earnest efforts in our behalf. I value greatly these evidences of your intelligent interest for all that concerns the elevation of woman. In my last I had intended to say to you that of the plates I sent you are worthy of that distinction & you will be at the trouble of causing them to be neatly framed & will Send the bills to me I will see that they are met The Extracts from your Sons letter help Sustain me in the views I have already advanced & in the action about to be taken in reference to Dr. Jewett. I greatly regret he should have taken any action in reference to your friend Mrs Cuddelby that does not commend itself to yourself or to her. I was not aware what Steps if any had been taken by him upon that Subject. Your letter to me have left no doubt on my mind that this lady is quite equal to any position She might be willing to assume. But upon this general Subject I have expressed deliberatedly to the College Trustees my personal wishes and the responsibility is thrown upon them to carry them forward now or at Such other time as they may 99 judge best, I am not aware except in a general way to what extent my desires are to be met at the opening of the College. The Committee on that Subject (: Faculty) I understand do intend to make a fair division of appointments between the Sexes. I mean of course of the higher grades, as the lesser positions, I take it for granted, will all be for ladies. In regard to particular appointments my general health & my other duties prevent my giving them the requisite attention to ensure the Success of any applicants upon my own recommendation alone. The most I have hoped to do has been to lay down my own general views & wishes, leaving the question as to whether they are to be immediately carried out and the manner in which they are to be carried out to my coadjutors and to the gentlemen of that Committee. The possible change of Presidency may to some extent affect the question of Professors but to what degree I of course am quite unable to know in advance, outside influences will of necessity have more or less effect and among them none are more likely to be listened to than the valuable publications with which you are associated. I hail discussion as sure to accomplish or aid in accomplishing the best result, be it what it may. Truly yours [+ca] May 20 1864 Henry Ward Beecher Dear Sir I feel gratified & complimented by your acceding to my desire to place your name on our list and to enlist your judgment & Services in behalf of our College as Trustee. I only regret the delay as Mr. Raymonds dispatch did not reach me until after the adjournment of the Board of the Subject would have received our attention at once. Our next meeting is in June next, when it will afford me a high degree of pleasure to name you in connection with the present vacancy. Yours respectfully, 100 May 16th 1864 Emma C. Church Dear Madame I am in receipt of your three letters of Janry 1, 9th & April 22nd. I scarcely Know why the first two have not been answered save that my health allows me but a very limited amount of labor & I find myself overborne every day with those things that press me for immediate accomplishment. I have been in the hope you could see your way clear to forward the Foligno for a Sum less than you have so far named. The first price & the difference of Exchange makes a very large bill before the picture is in hand. But I must leave it with you. Altogether the Subject has been full of annoyances although it is due to you that you stand acquitted entirely it was the part of others to have had an understanding with you so clear that the whole matter might have assumed more of a business character to the eyes of those who have a right to regard it only in that light. Now that the whole Subject has been turned over to me, the time when it will be completed is so near, I trust you will suffer no disadvantage by allowing the payment to rest where it is until the announcement that it is complete & wants my order. By that time moreover I trust that the recent & progressing success of our arms which are almost [maivellnis] may have had an effect upon Exchange as they must have sooner or later. Mr. John G. Vassar has not yet reached Rome but has wintered at Berlin. I am not at all Sure which may his steps may lead him for there. Your assurances as to the Success of your picture gratify me. I trust it may do you great honor. I am disposed to oblige you in every way possible but have no such information as I must Seek in regard to the exhibition of pictures in New York especially those of this size. I think it would be difficult to find the conveniences at [Goupects] even though there were no risks. I will endeavour to inform yourself further on this subject & write you. We shall hope to open the College in October & it would be agreable to me to have the picture in place at that moment. You only can Know when it may be ready for 101 Shipment at Rome. Those arrangements for its transit & Safety I must leave to you & they may be made to suit your own convenience hoping you will communicate with me as may be necessary to keep me fully informed. Miss [Hosmer] is no Stranger in America now nor indeed anywhere where Art is Known. It will be a compliment I shall greatly appreciate to meet her here and I trust she may do me the favor of visiting this City & myself. I am with great regard Yours truly May 19th 1864 My dear Mrs. Hale Your Kind letter of the 14th Current is before me, with enclosures, I thank you for them I was glad President Jewett advised you of his resignation, as it saved me from that painful duty, I might have been led by the way of justification to myself and the College too deeply into the Subject, I prefer to leave the past only to forgive altho I cannot forget an intercepted letter under his signature disclosed his future views & purposes towards me and my immediate Associates, however all has resulted in unanimous harmony in the change of Presidency & things & matters [&] are now going on Smoothly I could not reach the point I desired with Jewett at the head. Doct Raymond has been appointed his Successor & we hope he will accept. Str W. Beecher his friend & advisor has also Kindly offered to serve as Trustee. I notice your remarks about the Engraving of the College & think with you that considering, we shall have a new Print of the College & grounds with Observatory, Gate, Lodge [+ca], it would Scarcely be worth while to go to expense of framing it, especialy as the title may be changed. With your Kind permission I should prefer to retain the Photograph of your Son & his Lady. You will excuse haste. Yours truly 102 June 2d 1864 Prof. John H Raymond L.L.D. Dear Sir In reply to your propositions in regard to your acceptance of the Presidency of Vassar Female College, I beg leave to say that we can accept your terms in all particulars save only that condition requiring me individually to guarantee further pecuniary provision for the College. I cannot persuade myself that it is necessary or proper for me to incur Such extraordinary personal obligations, but we beg that you will reconsider the Subject & conclude to give your invaluable Services to our enterprize without insisting upon that condition. You may be assured that my pledges to appropriate nearly all of the [Sr] residue of my Estate to the College at my death will be faithfully carried out, & that my efforts & means Shall never be lacking during my life time to sustain & promote its best interests in Such manner as will be satisfactory to the Trustees I remain respectfully yours PS. I will here further remark also that the Balance of my Estate after deducting other Legacys & Bequests will not be less than some $200,000 inuring to the College after my decease June 2 1864 Honb W Kelly My dear Sir I thank you for your favorable recommendation of Messr [Mirlrein] & Brothers of yesterdays date, I can heartily unite with you as to their Mechanical Skill having done more or less work for me during their residence in PoKeepsie but perhaps you may not be aware that Mr Starloe has practically abandoned his Contract on the College of which the plumbing was a part, and the Executive Committee is an awkward position they have not the power (under Harloes agreement) to go forward 103 with the work unless he voluntary Surrender it, which he hesitates to do, as that would deprive him of 15 prC drawback reserved in the Ex. Committee hands as a guarantee of his full performance. We have already released him from the Heating at a loss of some 20 to $30,000 and we now think he is in justice bound to complete his Contract. When I have the pleasure of seeing you will explain particulars. In the matter of the Presidency So far as terms are concerned it is not fully settle, but I think it will be soon. Yours truly Revd. E. L. Magoon [Kearrarge] House North [Country] N. H. 8th June My dear Sir Your letter of the 4th Inst: states with Substantial correctness the verbal agreement between us in regard to the purchase of your gallery of art. I am to have from you your entire collection as it is complete Art itself & all matters relating to art descriptive historic & otherwise just as it is in your house as I regard all Such matter printed & otherwise as making the completeness of your collection for my purposes which are illustrative & educational. We need no express contract I rely upon you as a christian man. In regard to payment I wish it delivered first. The Building will not be in such a State as to warrant the placing of these articles any longer before the 1st of August than to enable you to hang them by that date. The payment of $10,000 should therefore be made on that date. The balance we shall not disagree about as you leave the times for future payments much to my convenience. Meanwhile I think you will find much labor in packing & preparing for removal & in arranging them in place here. Besides as to the Catalogue it has occurred to me that for our purposes if you could add to your descriptive catalogue certain general outlines as to the artist himself it would be valuable. You will bear in mind that the most of our pupils will see & hear of Art 104 & Artists for the first time from this Collection & that therefore it is not to be assumed that they are already acquainted with facts quite patent to the world. These suggestions I have no doubt will meet with your entire concurrence & I trust I may hear from you that they do. I hope you may again all you desire during your trip & that you will be sure to be with us at our next meeting of Trustees. Truly yours PS. The Contractor will not give up the building before the 1st August. June 8th 1864 Mrs. Sarah J Hale My dear Madame Your letter of June 6th is under my notice. In regard to Mrs. Cuddleby I can do no more than call the attention of the President & Faculty Committee to her name & credentials in such a manner as will doubtless ensure her the most careful consideration at their hands. I place great reliance upon what you say in her behalf & I need not assure you she will not be overlooked. In regard to Dr Jewett whatever statements may have appeared have not originated with me. Your Estimate of him is not far from the fact but it would be a very long tedious & unwelcome task for me to go over the ground anew. It has been a most unhappy affair and I shall be glad to forget it for I wish him no harm. A recital of facts could only be to his disadvantage as well as renewal of my own pain. He certainly was not the personal friend to me that his conduct in my presence had led me to believe. He had labored deligently to undermine my influence & that of my confidential Committee in the opinions of the Trustees. The Effect proved disastrous only to himself. Dr. Raymond has not yet signified any formal acceptance of the Presidency although I have great hope it will not be long delayed. He has for ten years been at the head of the Polytechnican & Collegiate Institute in Brooklyn, an Institution which he organized 105 & has conducted with the most eminent Success. He was our unanimous choice. He is a clergyman, and a most enlightened & liberal Christian gentleman. He was the Companion of Henry Ward Beecher in his European travels & is his close friend although they belong to different denominations, Mr. Raymond being a Baptist though I am informed not exactly concerning in some of their exclusive practices. My own health is not such as to warrant me in much application to writing although the demand upon my time in that respect Seem to increase. Yours respectfully June 9th 1864 Miss Emma C. Church Dear Madame! Your letter of May 21st has reached me. I had written you May 16th which you will doubtless have received by this time. You now propose that I send you the One half the Cost of the picture which is $600 & also $100 for frame and $100 for getting it boxed & onboard ship at Leghorn. The last charge seems very high. Now as the picture is at Rome one would naturally expect it to be shipped at less Cost at [Civita Vecchia]. But I cannot at this distance direct & must leave the place of shipment, the mode of the vessel with you. I send you with this $800 nett which covers your entire proposition leaving the balances to be arranged & our accounts to be stated in your next letter. You have an amount in your hands to be applied in our final settlement. I will remit you the final balance upon receiving the picture here in good order & am receiving your statement of amounts & comparing it with the figures which our books will show. You will please notify me by what vessel you send the future & enclose the bill of lading at the earliest moment. Our building will hardly be ready to receive the picture with safety before the 1st of October as we have had a variety of hindrances, & the expenses now are enormous. But we are using every exertion to forward the enterprise. I have not been able up to this moment to 106 make any enquiries in regard to placing your work on exhibition in N.Y. There will be time for that before its arrival Within the week past I have purchased the Gallery of Rev. E L. Magoon of Albany to place in the building this is a new donation of $20,000. I wish to make our Art Rooms a decided attraction at once with the hope of course that it may continue to grow in beauty, value & in educational and refining power. In regard to the delivery of the picture onboard vessel & the expenses I wish to refer you to my letter of Decb 15th last in which I assumed the purchase of this picture & which is the basis of the agreement between us I am glad to get the favorable opinions of the persons you mention as to this picture & shall be much gratified to meet Miss Hosmer whenever she shall revisit her native country. I remain Yours truly M.V. P.S. Enclosed please find bill of Exchange for Four Thousand Francs of 1st Tenor from John Monroe & Co. on their house in Paris & payable your order. Will forward 2d Tenor by next mail in event miscarriage of this. June 18th Send 2d bill of Exchange MV First Frcs 4000 N.Y. June 10th 1864 Three days after Sight of this First of Exchange (Second & Third unpaid) pay to the order to Miss Emma C. Church Four thousand Francs value received N 6956 to Mesr John Monroe & Co. Paris John Munroe & Co July 15 1864 Revd E. L. Magoon My dear Sir. Mr. Swan has just returned from your City & inform me that as you understand the Contract for your Gallery of Art with me to be thus, that you are to deliver it at your house & I am to pay for it as follows $10000 Cash 1 August & notes for the balance with interest from the first of August to suit my Convenience, after hearing Mr Swans Statement of your understanding of the transactions I referred to my pocket memorandum Book for the first time Since its entry & find these words viz 107 Friday June 3d 1864 Rode to College with Magoon, Swan, Matthew & Babcock on matters of Library Room & Art Gallery Promised to give Magoon $20,000 for all his complete collections of Art, he is first to send me a Catalogue of them, then if approved I am to pay him $10000 Cash & $10000 yearly payments of $1000 to suit my convenience with Interest after the said Collection is delivered & put up under Magoons Superintendance. This in the Gallery of the V. F. C only Cost of putting up to be at my expense Magoon takes the responsibility of save delivery to the College Swan dined with us today. Truly yours July 22d 1864 Miss Emma C Church My dear Madame Your letter of the 2d inst. Acknowledging the receipt of my draft for 4000 francs is received. I regret any Kind of misapprehension in regard to any details of our matter of Copies & especially as to this last. I hasten to write you now in order that if I am to insure, you should give me the name of the vessel without which it cannot be done. I must beg you to see to it that I am informed at the earliest possible moment what vessel is to bring the pictures to New York. Add the Capts name & when she is to sail if possible but the name of the vessel I must have, send the bill of lading also as early as possible. When the picture is received here & examined you will receive the balance due you promptly as you direct Yours very truly 108 August 5 1864 Rev E. L Magoon DD. Yours of the 3d Inst is before me, and notice your progress in packing the cabinet pictures [+ca]. We hope to have our Art Gallery room ready for their reception by the 20th Current if possible. Alltho delays has occurred by reason of not being able to find competent persons to color the walls in fresco as suggested. Since the relinquishment of our late Contractor of his contract much time has been waisted in closing up details with him, and getting on a fresh Set of hands We are now just beginning to move forward again with the General work We shall be all ready certainly within the present month to arrange the Cabinet in place, and I shall have the first payment in hand on delivery in the College custody in your city as per agreement. We are not being blessed with life living Weather Springside looks like herself again Since the last rains. We have experienced the Severest drought I have known in 40 years. All my ponds & pools of water are dried up [+ca] Yours truly Sept 5th 1864 Wm S. Bird Esq 1 St: Swithins Villas, Magdalen Road Norwich. England Dear Sir I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of August, and perused its contents with interest. You must be fully aware that I left England with my parents when I was but a child, and that I have no knowledge whatsoever of the large family connection that were left behind, neither have I through my long life had any intimation of this far stretched family link, and thus it can not be expected that I at this late period of my life should entertain any claim of relationship of so distant a character I have in the mean time not the least doubt that the Statement you give is fully correct, but your application at this time and under such circumstances as i have placed myself, my fortune and my name 109 shows an ignorance of the facts that necessitates but few remarks to enlighten Your allusion to my endowment to a female College indicates in the mean time tht you are aware of that I am engaged in a benevolent Enterprize, for the completion of which I have pledged my means and my honor, and having provided for all my nearest kindred that have followed me through life, it has for many years been my last cherished wish & hope to leave a memory behind me that could be an honor to my family name. This last act of mine is the result of Industry, Perseverance and Self=reliance and neither kindred nor friends have reached me an assistant hand. The road I have passed is open for all who will mould their character in honorable pursuits by the same means, and I speak this with special reference to the 2 boys you allude to, for neither relations nor influence can realize their future welfare but their own exertions and industry. With regard to the little girl I feel deeply interested and sympathize with all her friends, but the statement I here have given I hope will be conclusive that all applications even from family connections, is, at this advanced period of my life, entirely useless, as I am not in a position to render any service. Had this application been made at an earlier stage of my life, it was not impossible that it would have received all the attention that I hitherto cheerfully rendered under similar circumstances, but for the present it has become my duty to deprive myself of the gratification it would afford me to comply with your request. respectfully yours M V. PS. Since writing the above I have taken another day for consideration of your suggestions in relation to the younger female child. Jessie and as there is a fund appropriate for beneficiaries under certain specialities it may be that she can be entered into the College under those provisions. You will therefore send me her Photograph likeness and a written history of her family in order that the Committee on application for pupilship can determine upon this Special case. Yours 110 PoughKeepsie Sept 30 1864 Rev E. L. Magoon Dear Sir The long Communication without date forwarded by you to me through Mr. Foord has been received & very carefully read. I learn from it that you have Still in your hand a large collection of pictures, illustrations, engravings, [+ca] [+ca], a list of which you furnish at length in your letter & which you strongly recommend should be placed in the Art Gallery of our College. I entirely concur in this view, and it was because I thought so that I have already purchased them of you & given them to the College. I can scarcely believe I read that part of your letter rights which seems to look as if you were expecting another purchase for these articles. If this be so, I shall insist that the College, which now owns the collections you speak of, Shall take measures to secure their property. At present I have only to say that your letter of the 4 June to me, stating to me your understanding of your Contract with me, & mine of June 8th to you, in terms most positive and conclusive, cover all the Catalogue you now mention. Before another step is taken, I beg you will refresh your recollection as to what has passed, both written & verbal, between us in regard to this Subject. In the belief that you are laboring under a wide misapprehension or misrecollection of the facts, I call your earliest attention to them, and remain Yours truly MV. 111 Oct 6th 1864 Rev E.L. Magoon DD My dear Doctor Prefaces to documents or books are seldom read, I therefore make non by the way of introduction to this letter, leaving simple facts in our case to guide & determine the issue. If there is any differences between us they can be adjusted, not by verbal, but written statements. The value of what I bought & you Sold me on the 3d of June last, has nothing to do with the question _ the quantity has; Now what did you sell me? Let your answer to this dated June 4th be in your own language, to wit It is proposed, first, to sell you the collection of Oil paintings at 66 Philip Street, One hundred and twenty five, ore more Secondly the collection of water=color pictures now hanging under the same roof, One hundred mounted under glass and framed. Moreover a large variety of other like works, mounted under glass, and stored in cabinets for want of wall room. Thirdly a great variety of original drawings in Sepia india=ink and other media comprising the aggregate of original art. Fourly, Illuminations, missals, armor, arms, coins ande original antiquities Fifthly, Antiquarian works, printed, and illustrated by numerous engravings on all the great departments of monumental history. Sixthly, A Copious library on art, embracing every form of Aesthetics, or the Science of Beauty. Seventhly, A vast number of Engravings, beginning with the revival of Art, and showing the progress to the press, and the treasures accumulated since. In fine, an unique and unsurpassed exemplification of Christianity illustrated by its monuments and whatever the above might prove to be I gave to the College, and the Executive Com. claim no more. If this last letter does not cover all your Gallery of fine art practically useful in illustrating that Science to pupils in Vassar Female College, then I have no claim to them. No more is asked of you than that which any fair mind would decide to be clearly 112 covered by your written statements & what you have repeatedly expressed to me, to my nephew, to Mr Swan & to the Board of Trustees, and So much you will not hesitate to grant. It would be very unfortunate should this subject fall into other hands as it must inevitably do, unless we can dispose of it upon the board principles which govern men in all the affairs of life. Now in closing allow me to say that So far as I am individually concerned I would drop the Subject here sooner than to have any misunderstanding or differences with one whom I have ever cherished as one of my best friends, and in regard to the interior adornments of the College with Art & Literature of which you were the Suggestive Organ and whose name with the Founder must descend to posterity, never let it be inferred that you have not done all you could or all you agreed to do, to be worthy of a record in its memorials. I remain dear Sir Yours truly Springside Monday Morning Oct 10th 1864 Revd E L Magoon DD My dear Doctor I most solemnly believe what you say in your letter of the 7th Inst. viz My Original proffer was honest [+ca]. I never for a moment doubted it, or though you otherwise capable, but you well know we can be as sincerely wrong, as sincerely right, _the only difference is motive or intention. I believe with all my soul you intended to give me just what you wrote in your letter of the 4th June and still believe it, but your Keeping no memorandum & in the midst of your multiplied and arduous duties escaped your attention. Never _ no never, have I distrusted your fidelity or honest purposes how could I when I knew you were bound up with me in my great work in placing your gems of Art therein, where for ages to come posterity might gaze and commemerate your Reverend name with the Founder of the Institution - and permit me to remark that in all my correspondence with you I have taken no counsel and used no precautions other than were Suggested by mine as a business man, and no one 113 Knows them to my personal Knowledge save my Clerk Mr Schon who takes copy of my letters. With regard to your Suggestions of a further remuneration [+ca] Such as to afford a specific for that case I would respond with an overflowing heart, had not things changed with me since the failure of the College builder Mr Harloe which circumstance may require a further pecuniary advance to complete the work where all of this worlds interest with me is concentrated still fi there is a nitch open when done your suggestion for a family Library will not be forgotten [+ca] You will excuse my brevity my stooping posture after a few minutes writing is attended with vertigo and obliged to desist I remain dear Sir Yours very truly Novbr 7 1864 Miss Mary M Kay Corresponding Secretary Callisophian Society Elmira Female College Your communication informing me of the Compliment paid me by this Society in the unanimous expression of their regard for the efforts I am making in behalf of women is before me and does not fail to afford me a very high degree of satisfaction. It cheers me to be assured from Such intelligent Sources that you are ready to appreciate every endeavor made in the direction of the highest development of your sex. My work more than my words evince the positive assurances of my own mind that the future of the individual woman and of the race are identical. I have desired to do all in my power or within my means for the elevation of humanity. It is to be done through woman. When she is elevated, educated, developed in all her capacities man cannot fall below her level. The day of unequal intellectual privileges for the Sexes has gone by. My own efforts will be followed from time to time until within the lifetime of some of you it will be forgotten that there ever was a debate as to the extent of the powers of the 114 female would in any direction or as to the expediency of her developing that power to the fullest extent. It will be honor enough that I have contributed to the resolution of these questions in your favor and that my efforts were appreciated while I live Please make my acknowledgements to the Society you represent and accept the regards of Yours very truly Novbr 21s 1864 Rev. E. L. Magoon DD Dear Sir I was at the College last Saturday with Dr. Raymond and Mr. Swan, and on going into the Art Gallery discovered that two of the Oil paintings (architectural Interiors by Genison No 21 & 81 were covered with what we at first supposed to be a Species of dry mould, occaisioned by dampness. Further examination convinced us otherwise as no other pictures (either Oil or water Colors) were similarly effected nor could he least Dampness be discovered on the boors on even on loose paper lying about the floors. The Varnish on these pictures seems to be destroyed, and crumbles under the touch to a white powder. That and two others ( No 22 && 80) is cracked over the entire surface. Can you account for these changes? We are awaiting to do anything to them untill we hear from you. Yours truly 115 Novbr 23 1864. Rev E. L. Magoon DD My dear Sir I am Sorry to trouble further about the pictures, and would not have done So had you not alluded to a supposed dampness by leakage in the roof which trifling leak you refered to was stopd the day after your M. Foord left the College and immediately thereafter had a slow fire made & kept up in the Steam & Gass house which removed every vestige of dampness in the Art Gallery room. There was another little matter I would not Speak of at the time, but as a Second occurence of the like has happened will now mention it so that you call Mr. Foords attention to it vis: 2 or 3 of the water colors pictures has fallen down, of course breaking the Glass, and otherwise injuring them - These accidents Seem to be owning to the frames not being Sufficiently nailed at the corners, the weight of others hanging upon them caused them to come apart & so tottled to the floor. Please to mention this to Mr. Foord and ask what can be done as others will follow Suit. Yours in haste M.V. Decb 25 1864 Mrs. Sarah J. Hale My dear Madame Your two letters of the 22d Incl. with the enclosure of a pleasant poem constituted an agreable feature of this passing Christmas. They have both commanded my attention & as far as your letters must, have not failed to interest me. The unabated ardor & ability with which you pursue these questions in which the women of our day are almost unconsciously interested cannot fail of a high reward. In that respect we labor & exhaust ourselves for the same end. I pray that you at least may live to see some worthy result. It is gratifying to be assured of your confidence in the gentleman upon whom now devolves the Serious task 116 of organizing the interior life of this College. I am very Sure he is bringing to the task large abilities & experience & a frank desire to do only that which shall but promote its interests, in which of course to a large degree are involved the interests of young women at large. The domestic life of the young is not by any means to be neglected with us. It is the base from which every woman must reach to whatever may lie beyond that at any rate as much more as possible. I am looking forward to the article you promise in your January No. I never fail to get instruction or confirmation or both from that Source & these are very valuable to me. Mrs. Cuddelby was indeed here recently & with Dr Raymond visited the College. Her stay was so Short, I had but a glance at her & no opportunity to form an acquaintance. Your opinion alone justifies me in believing her Services to be of great value wherever she may be. My health is at present but moderate & too much pen work goes very far to prostrate me. With my best wishes therefore for your health & prosperity I must be allowed to close Very truly yours Private January 7 1865 My dear Mrs Hale Your esteemed favor of the 3 Inst. lays before me your Kind expressions of Sympathy for my late temporary illness is only another proof of your kindness, I find language inadequate to express my feelings next Summer I do hope you will honor me with a visit to see our Noble Work as you are pleased to term it, which will afford me an opportunity to renew my gratitude [+ca]. It was entirely my fault that I omitted to comply with the terms for the Ladys Book and I do not blame any one for its Stoppage I now enclose $3 for its renewal. I have read the Article on Domestic Science in this January No and think the remarks just & true and fully accords with my views. 117 With regard to the Lithographing of the V.F. C. Sent you last fall you could have Jewetts and Raymonds names pasted over with a Slip of paper Substituting on them Raymond over Jewett and Henry Ward Beecher over Raymonds. We have covered a number in this way its easily & readily done. If you wait till next early Summer we intend having ready a new Lithograph, embracing a more extensive views of the grounds, astronomical Observatory, Gass & Steam works, Gate Lodge [+ca]. I also purpose to have my Photograph taken by some N.Y. City Artist, as I cannot get a good Likeness here, I will Send you one of the first therefore do not incur any expense these hard times. I am pleased to hear you are taking So much interest in the charitable objects of the day I hope and pray you may be rewarded for it. I again than you for the deep Solicitude you manifest for my health & welfare, and permit me to return you my grateful thanks with the Compliments of the Season. A Happy New Year Yours very truly [+ca] M V PS. 3 oclock PM. The Mission Link just come to hand The above named $3 has been remitted a few days ago by my clerk. January 7 1863 My dear Mrs Hale For Some months last past my thoughts have at intervals been occupied with the idea of adopting a uniformity of Costume for the pupils attending V. F. College The object of which is first, to prevent jealousy which usually arise in the minds of young persons in the articles of Dress Secondly to Secure more comfort and convenience to them while in School or at their playful recreations. Your fertile mind will readily Suggest, what there Should be their make and material something that will be desirable, least needful of repeating washings repair [+ca], and 118 to consist of Something like the Bloomer Dress which would give freedom to their persons whether in School our Out of School for exercise . Will you please to take this matter into consideration and at your early convenience inform me Of course these garments are only for School house and need not be expensive so that they will be available to all the pupils with those Suggestions. I am persuaded you can readily fill up the rest. I remain Dear Madam Your very respectfully Janry 24 1865 Prof. Sam F. R.. Morse LLD My dear Sir I received your letter of yesterday with an enclosed letter from Rev. Lewis P Clover repeating his application for a Professorship in the College, and in regard thereto I may briefly remark, that Said application together with a multitude of others, was in due time handed to the Chairman of the Committee on Faculty & Studies President Raymond, to be referred to again at the proper Season before laying the Same before the Board of Trustees for final decision. The President in connection with Said Committee is now engaged to investigate and complete a plan of Organization intended to be laid before the Trustees at their first meeting, and in conformity with Said plan the proper Professors & Teachers will then be taken under consideration. The Address of Dr Magoon is Rev. E. L. Magoon DD Albany and in connection with the position to which Dr Magoon stands to the Committee of Arts, of which you are a member, I take this opportunity to reveal unto you a Suggestion that has met with an unanimous approval of my friends and the friends of the College. The Art Gallery of the College lately purchased by me of Dr Magoon is now entirely put in the College Building and properly hung, and among this valuable collection we have a beautiful Oil painting of the late Edward Everett which we have recently taken down from its first position on the Wall and transferred to the north End of the Gallery on the Side of the Oil picture of myself, and if I now could be so happy to prevail upon you to donate to the 119 College a Oil painting of yourself to be placed on the other Side of my picture, you would not only confer a personal favor on me, that I shall highly appreciate, but in time to come it would illustrate the american representatives of Science & Art that gave birth to my own inspirations of donating the whole results of my long lifes perseverance to the cultivation of Art & Science for Woman as well as for man. Hoping to be favored with your reply I remain Dear Sir Truly yours PS. President Raymond has just returned from a Tour West and intend to answer Rev. Clovers letter to you February 6 1865 Joel B Germond Care of Mr White 186 Bowery near Spring NY Dear Sir The Vassar Female College will need by and by a good Time Piece with double Dial plates which we propose on the Arch=way at the entrance (of the Gate Lodge) which Lodge is about 300 feet West of the College. The Dials should be of sufficient size to be perfectly seen from the College, and so arranged as to be illuminated at night, something like your City Hall. The Gate Lodge being furnished with Gas will supply the light. At your convenience please to inform me of you can procure for us Such a clock and at about what Cost. I scarcely need say that it must be a perfectly reliable timekeeper as all the movements of the College departments as to the hour of day & night will depend upon its accuracy. Amanda joins in her best regard [+ca] Yours 120 PoughKeepsie March 6 1865 Mrs. Sarah J. Hale Dear Madam Your very kind favor of the 27th Ult. with enclosure of duplicate of a letter I addressed you on the 2d April 64 upon the subject of changing the title of V.F. College, came duly to hand, but as President Raymond now is absent from the City, I must ask your indulgence for a definite answer to your questions untill his return, even then we Should need the consent of our Board of Trustees, who do not meet till the Second Tuesday in April, which would make it too late for legislative action at this Session, as they adjourn on the 1st April. Allow me dear Madam to return to you my hearty thanks for the deep interest you continue to take in this my last Enterprize (VFC) for the benefit of woman and the generous encomiums you have so liberaly bestowed upon me as the Found of an Institution for her moral and mental advancements, and now as you are the pioneer advocate for a change in the title of the College it would be exceedingly gratifying to me to have your opinion on another question equaly novel, viz: The division of School or College terms. It is proposed by Some of our Trustees to divide the periods of tuition thus: To Say - First, Term from 1st April to 1st August Month 4 Second from 1st Sept 20 Decbr 4 Summer Vaction 1 mo Winter Janry, Feby, Marche 3 4 The advantages of this division of time will allow the young ladies whose parents or guardians reside in the Country or rural districts to avail themselves of the long winter evenings assisting the pursuits in their household duties at home, studying their text books [+ca] and making up new and repairing their own wardrobe, while the pupils of parents residing in Cities or large Towns and perhaps in better pecuniary circumstances will have the opportunity of doing the same and attend intellectual and polite entertainments usually held in large towns & places in the winter months The College, as you are aware, is already provided in its arrangements for Winter conveniences by an extensive heating apparatus, So that it is not out of economical considerations that this change of School terms is Suggested, but rather on account of health and comfort to its inmates, for it is the late fall & Winter 121 Season in our clime that causes most of the maladys common to the northern latitudes and Should we have a large share of them, the public would ascribe it to an unhealthy location of the College, beside which extensive arrangements are made on the grounds for Gymnastical or athletical exercises in Summer and for the Study of Floral, Botany, Trees [+ca] by living existences, these would be comparatively lost to pupils in the Winter Season. It is not, however our purpose to insist, in the entire dismissal of all the pupils; Such as have no parents or homes can remain, but the Season of general Instruction ends at these Several terms and those that remain will only be required to pay simple board [+ca]. I will not however extend these remarks, as your fertile mind will readily supply or detect, pros or cons of these Suggestions. I will Send you in a few days an article written by me Some time Since on the Female Mind but not thinking worth publication laid it aside, you can review it and make Such disposal of it as you think proper. I remain Dear Mrs Hale Yours very truly June 27 1865 Nathan Bishop LLD My dear Sir The first stage in the development of that great enterprize to which I have devoted a large portion of my fortune and the latest labors of my life, is now drawing to a close. The erection of the College edifice and it equipments with the material apparatus of instruction will Soon be completed, and with the coming autumn, its interior life, as a great educational establishment will begin Thus far the great work of the Executive Committee has been in a great measure, that of a Building Committee and I have cheerfully shared it perplexities & toils from a conviction that my long experience in the management of material affairs would enable me to give them important aid. Although a Kind Providence has blessed me with more than ordinary health and vigor for my years, yet I begin to feel 122 Sensibly the wear & tear of these numerous and ever- multiplying details, and since the business of the Executive Committee must hearafter pertain more than heretofore to the internal regulation of the College, I have felt a strong desire to be relieved by some gentlemen, who, to the general qualities of business capacity, high proficiency and practical know ledge in the management of an Institution of learning. With this view I have not only looked carefully over the list of our list of Trustees, but extended my view through the entire range of my acquaintance; and among all within my reach or beyond my reach, I find no one who possesses those qualifications so imminently and so entirely as yourself, It is my desire, therefore at the approaching meeting of the Board of Trustees, to resign my present place as chairman of the Executive Committee, and my earnest hope is that you will consent to accept and discharge this honorable trust. I have requested Pres: Raymond & our mutual friend Mr. Stephen Buckingham to be the bearers of this communication and to give any further explanation of my news (of which they are fully informed) that you may desire. Meanwhile believe me dear Sir MV July 6 1865 My dear Mrs Hale I have just received yours of the 2d Inst, with a short notice of Doctor Raymonds Prospectus as published in the August No of the Ladys Book. It is quite to the purpose and needed no apology for its briefness. I am much pleased to have your approval of the Prospectus; the subject of change of Title to the College came up for discussion at the June meeting and was warmly debated and closely noted. Yeas 6 & Noes 7 7 out of the 20 members present declined to vote not having their minds made up. We shall carry our points at the next meeting of the Board. The non votes out of regard to the feelings of the Founder would have voted in the affirmative if he specially [desired] them, but not otherwise, until further persuaded of the propriety of the change of course I would comment to no such 123 compromise and thus the affair passeth off at the meeting. I send you by this days mail 2 Copies of Dr. Raymonds Prospectus. We have already distributed some 2000 out of 3000 printed, a new Edition will be required in a few days. Applications for scholarships are pouring in far and wide, hundreds are calling at our Office for permits to visit the College, but the Ex Comm has suspended all indulgences of the Kind for the present, as the workmen are busy painting, cleaning, oiling the floors & getting in Furniture. In another month or two all will be completed and then I hope you will do us the honor of a visit and write one a few days before, not that I shall or may be from home, but that other engagements may not interfere. With my usual salutations for esteem. I remain Novb 28 1865 I.S.Blair Esq. Dear Sir, In return to you $65.89 being one half the board of Miss Blair from the time she left to the end of the term at $7.50 per week. We regret the cause of her going and the amount [non] retained, will doubtless be cheerfully allowed her, should she return and be accepted and received again, as a pupil. You will see at a glance the degree of loss we suffer, where every place we had at our disposal was applied for, when she was originally accepted. When she left it was too late to fill them. We are the inevitable sufferers in all such cases, but desire to be liberal to the fullest extent of our means and responsibilities. [Mun] $65.89 50 ____ 115.89 Very respectfully C. Swan [M] 124 Nov 28, 1865 Mr McColl Dr Sir Enclosed please find our check for $302.50 being the amount we refund for the Missses McColl charging them, only 2 weeks and 5 days board each at 8,75 per week. Under ordinary circumstances, we do not doubt, what parent would be held to all the risk for sending unprepared pupils, where the required proficiency could be best known beforehand to them. When they came we could have filled their places certainly when they engaged. We however, submit in this case to be the only pecuniary losers. Very respectfully Yours C.Swan Nov 28 4865 Miss Bragg Enclosed you will find one check for $79.68 which on the principal we adopt, we refund to you. There were 14 weeks, and 5 days of the term unexpired when you left, our charge for board is $7.50 per week, which for that time equals $110.35 of this we return you one half less the sum of fifty cents charged for two blank books. Should you return during the year, and be accepted and received again as a pupil an amount equal to the one half of the $110.35 would probably be allowed to you. We regard the principal we adopt as more favorable to the pupil than other institutions offer Very Respectfully C. Swan 125 Mrs J. E. Branstrup Dr Madame When Miss Branstrup left this College, there was 13 weeks of the term unexpired We allow her a sum equal to one half her board for that period at $7.50 per week. We had every provision made, for her-room, board tuition-and but for her having then preingaged, another pupil would have been received. We therefore sustain a loss. But we seek to be eminently fair more so than any Institution we know. As Miss Branstrup was paid $50 when she left, we now return the balance of $6.25, which upon the principle we adopt, is still due her Very Respect C Swan unexpended time 15 weeks c 7.50 112.50 56.25 Cash paid her by MVJ 50 6.25 due her George D Bayard 7 Battery Place N.Y. Dear Sir In reply to yours of the 31st Ult. I have to say that the case of Miss Bayard has been very fully, and carefully considered, and we feel satisfied that there was no good, or sufficient case for her leaving here We are disposed in every case to be liberal to the last degree, consistent with what we own the Institution or the public When pupils are compelled to leave, for an admitted cause, we take our full share of the loss but we cannot afford to place the Institution at the caprice of pupils. There is no probability we can supply the place, we had put at the disposal of Miss Bayard. We certainly could not maintain a provision for board or tuition could pupils with impunity or without admitted cause leave their place vacant Miss Bayard place is still open and it is for her friends to determine whether it is not for her interest to resume it. Very Respect C. Swan [?] 126 Nov 28 1865 Mr J. P. Raymond N 33 Greenwich Avenue NY Dear Sir Herewith you will receive a statement of the account for Miss Mary C. Raymond, which leaves a balance due the College of $7.50. The principle upon which we proceed in this and similar cases, is to divide the sum due for board from the time the pupil leaves that is, we share the loss or take so much of the risk. Miss Raymond, left 12 weeks before the term closed She had her room, her place at the table, her tuition all provided. We may be unable to supply her place Her board for 12 weeks at 7.50 per week would be $90. We may lose by her absence all that sum. But we allow one half, or $45 to be returned, or in this case carried to your credit. We provide an Infirmary for the sick a skilled doctor, professional nurse, special waiting medicine and flood suitable at the gross charge of $1.50 per day. We seek in no event to make any thing whatsoever. The Institution is only designed to be self supporting We are making charges probably too low to accomplish that end, but we try the experiment. The principle of refunding is I may add more favorable to the pupil than any other with which we are acquainted. Very Respect C. Swan unexpired time 12 weeks c. 7.50 $90 45 Infirmary 49 4 bllb Porto 1.50 carriage Hire 2 52.50 Due the College $7.50 P.S. Should Miss Raymond return during the year and be received and accepted again as a pupil the amount we now retain for unexpired time would probably be allowed C.S 127 Nov 28 1865 Mr. Tyters When Miss Tyters left us there was 16 weeks and 4 days of the term unexpired. As we had made every provision of room-board-and tuition with a view of her remaining, we are losers by her leaving [do] her place would have been originally filled by another Wether it now can be is uncertain But we take the largest share of the risk when we return you one half the board for the above period at 7.50 per week This we believe to be more liberal than any other Institution Should Miss Tyters return within the year & be accepted and received as a pupil, the amount now retained would be allowed her Very Respt C Swan, Sec. Novbr 28 1865 S. L. [McClure] Enclosed is our check for $64.29. which is the amount we return out of the money, received by us for Miss McClure. We adopt the principal of refunding one half the board, for so much of the term as remains, when the pupil leaves at $7.50 per week This makes us the probably losers, as it is more than doubtful, wether after a term commences we can supply an unexpected vacancy. But we seek to be more liberal than any other institution we know. Should Miss McClure return as be accepted and received as a pupil, the amount we retain for unexpired time would probably be allowed. Very Respt C.Swan Sec. 128 Decbr 5 1865 S S McClure Esq Dear Sir Yours of Novbr 30 enclosing back our check is received. The circumstances you speak of will be re=examined with a view to do exact justice. The hope is we can succeed in closing all such cases even liberally. You are aware however that this Institution is for no private gain or purpose. It is controlled for the whole public who in any event receive as a gift the interest upon half a million of dollars. The principle we try to enforce is the one we believe best adopted to promote the general interest. yours respect. C. Swan Decbr 5 1865 Mrs. Susan C Brigham Madam The principle adopted by the College is to endeavor to share the loss occaisioned by the necessary withdrawal of any pupil. Applying that principle to your care as we have to others & it leaves you still indebted to the College in the Sum of $83.74 It seems your daughter desired to remain with us. Her withdrawal [wat] not our desire by her withdrawal a place is vacant that would otherwise be filled. We place the advantages of this College lower, certainly at the lowest possible point to start with. We ought not to be expected in addition to that to take upon ourselves the whole of every loss. With this you will receive a statement showing the mode of arriving at the above figures C.Swan 129 Vassar Female College Dec 13th 1865 PoKeepsie N.Y. Mr. S.S. McClure Dear Sir: Again replying to yours of the 30 ult permit me briefly to State the case. On behalf of your daughter you apply for a place in this College. A place is reserved I say reserved because all the places we had were applied for, and almost of necessity a vigorous person would have had your daughters place had it not been given to her. We therefore lose a pupil, when your daughter withdraws. We have the room, the board, the instruction, all provided in reference to a full house. We do every thing at probably less than cost. The withdrawal of any one is a position left of so much you know and we did not know that the probabilities were that your daughter was physically unable to bear a course of study here. Had we been informed, of the facts in that respect, as you were instead of taking that risk we should have prefered a strong pupil in her place. This statement seems fairly to throw the of risk & loss upon you, but we feel that we generously offered to share it with you. Twenty five or fifteen dollars is no measure whatever of our loss. We cannot hope to meet our expenses by any possibility without a full house. Even at that, our prices are probably too low Bearing these facts together with the facts we who [constctd] this Institution are simply disinterested guardians of a public, trust in mind I meet your propositions with another. We will refund you all but $50. of the money we have received of you and close it so Or if you prefer we will retain all the money until the next term $150. of it then to be applied toward your daughters board, & tuition for that term if she chooses to return. But should she return her remaining must be at her risk & wether she remains a day or week or month you must 130 abide by our decisions, as to what if any thing will be refunded you in case she leaves before the end of that term. When you speak of what honorable men would say was fair, be kind enough to remember this case has been submitted to exactly that kind of men, who are entirely disinterested, and that they believe our propositions is more than fair Very Respectfully yours C. Swan Sec Decbr 28 Mr. Bayard 7 Battery Place N Y. In reply to yours of the 26 Inst to President Raymond I can hardly say more than your enquiry seems to have been anticipated by my letter to you dated Novbr 28th. I intended to be understood as offering to apply any money we have retained to your daughters board & tuition should she be returned here during the collegiate year. very respectfully Janr 2d 1866 Revd George [Tunon] Florida, Orange Co. NY Dear Sir: = The principle adopted here for the arrangement of cases, similar to yours, is to assume half the loss for the unexpired term of the pupil, and of course to make all the charges which would have been made, had the pupil remained The statement accompanying this will show you the figures applied to your daughter It is a misfortune to us, as well as to yourself that your daughter could not remain We have every provision for her, just as fully as would have been the fact were she still here But we do not call upon, to meet but half the loss You will bear in mind that your older daughter has been charged nothing for the time she was here We have tried to be very liberal in this case, and cannot but hope that upon reflection it will appear as so to you Very Respectfully yours C. Swan Sec Statement on his letter to C. Swan see amoungst C.Swan letter 131 Jan 2nd 1866 Mr. Erastus Hopkins Northampton Mass Dear Sir With many regrets that we are compelled to regard your daughters place among us as vacant, as you request I send you a statement of our account based upon the principle of assuming half the loss occaisioned by her withdrawal With every thing prepared for her & appropriate wether she be here or not to her use, we regard this mode of settlement as imminently favorable to you. Yours Resp. C. Swan, Sec Miss H: lef Decbr 2d Unexpired time 9 week. 4 day @ 7.50 $71.80 half due Mr H 35.90 Deduct Book Acct $6.03 Carriage Home 2. [Medical Dorm] 10 18.03 $17.87 Jan 4th 1866 Mrs Sarah [Jon] Hale Philadelphia You will regret the occasion of my being the interpreter of Mr Vassars thanks to you for your letter and enclosure of Dec 26th, when I inform you that another attach of paralysis has, we trust temporarily, deprived him of the use of his right hand, and otherwise rendered it prudent that he wholly abstain from mental effort He remains however really sensible of your kindness to him, and your services to his enterprise The next meeting of our Board of Trustees will be the last Tuesday in June Allow me to ask you to send the Ladys Book regularly addressed to this College, as it is upon the list of publications agreed upon by the Faculty. The intention of course is to become regular subscribers The change in the title of the College has Mr Vassars approval and is probably only a question of time Very Respectfully C. Swan Sec I sign myself [sectatary] as part of this is official the remainder at the personal request of Mr Vassar 132 Janry 15 1868 Mrs Anna M Willard [Fronton] Ohio Dear Madame Yours Decbr 19th. was received and 23d notifying that Miss Mary would not return to College, We retain room & the seat of table for all pupils while absent and do not consider them withdrawn until notified as daily expect return, and when informed that will not return & the same is on account Sickness then we in discretion of Committee return a portion of payments made, if any due, the amount of Tuition is retained in all cases as pupil has the right to return any time during College year without further charge for tuition. Enclosed hand you the bill and amount due you the which you can draw for or I will remit you as meets your approval Please inform. Yours respectfully M V Jr. One year Tuition inreg. Course $100 13 weeks board @ 8$ $104 13 weeks tuition in [Minc] @ 2 $26 Stationery 3.25 233.25 @ By Cash 345 $111.75 due Miss W Janry 16 1868 E. N. Willard Esq Scranton Penn: Dear Sir Yours of Decbr 27 in reference to B & Tuition of Mr J B Smith daughter ( and claiming a balance due her) all of which was received in due time and my apology for not answering ere this is on account not having meeting of Ex Committee incident upon holydays [+ca]. You are correct in your statements in regard to the note appended to receipt, the only question was in reference to Miss Smiths sickness, the which at that time and when she again came back but did not remain, was questionable by the President & Lady Principal and Lady Physician, She appeared well (so stated) but had apparently made up her mind that would not remain, she took her Baggage and left although as I understood, her friends and parents desired her to remain You will please understand that the Institution act upon most liberal Scale and always throw the same in favor pupil. 133 The College never intends making money, only charges Sufficient, to pay Professor Teachers and Boarding department and Employees, the whole amount of buildings and all appurtenances to the same, was donated If a Pupil leaves Institution the $100 Tuition is retained and she has privilege of returning at any time during Collegiate year without further charge for Tuition and the cause is that the Professors & Teachers engaged for the year, are obliged to pay them if one or One Hundred pupils leave, all of which presume you see the necessity. You state that Miss Smith was here only 2 weeks. In reply state she entered on 18 Septr and left by 30t or 28th and anticipated her return, the room, and seat at table is always retained for a pupil who leaves on [afc] Sickness or other otherwise and she is considered still the same, until return or College authorities notified. The notice was not given until on or about the 14th November. Mr Smith called and stated his daughter was at Genl Ewing and if she returned at College on certain conditions, which demands were rather dictatorial to College Authorities and could not be complied with, she then left as stated above 14th November. I laid your letter before the Ex Committee and they stated are bound to receive Evidence of the parents with report of their family physician and act honorably & fairly in the matter although if she was in good health and dictated her own terms the College do not think any this or any amount due is as before stated with to do right in the premises, please send me statement of certificate of Physician, and can make out statement of balance due for the time and remit. respectfully M V Jr [134] Poughkeepsie July 18, 1868 Mrs. Anna M Willard D Madam Yours of 11th at hand and [notice] your remarks in reference to (as you think) an error but assure you the account as rendered was made up in strict accordance to justice and equity on the part of the College Authorities, Assuring you that the College invariably has leaned on favour of the Pupils Enclosed please find Check for balance of Amount due payable to your Order please acknowlege when received And Obly Amt Chk $ 111.75 Yours Respectfully M Vassar Jr
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Creator: Hoyle, Grace
Date: June 12, 1861
Text: Elyria June 12th, 1861. Hon Mr Vasser [sic] Dear Sir- You are doubtless surprised at receiving a letter from me a perfect stranger but when you hear the reason for which I have written I hope your astonishment will be lessened I wish to inquire about the Vasser [sic] College”- I have heard so very much about it that I am very anxious to attend but there is one thing that must be brought into consideration namely the price or sum for tuition- if it is great I shall not be able to accomplish...
Show moreElyria June 12th, 1861. Hon Mr Vasser [sic] Dear Sir- You are doubtless surprised at receiving a letter from me a perfect stranger but when you hear the reason for which I have written I hope your astonishment will be lessened I wish to inquire about the Vasser [sic] College”- I have heard so very much about it that I am very anxious to attend but there is one thing that must be brought into consideration namely the price or sum for tuition- if it is great I shall not be able to accomplish that I so much desire becoming and attending a member of the College I will frankly here state thing that my Fatherhas met with very many reverses since he has been West and his health has almost entirely failed so that he cannot do much for his daughter and what is done I myself must do this is the reason why I am so anxious about the sum for tuition if the college is very expensive as I said before I shall have to give up going Mother has very often spoken of you and Mrs Vasser [sic] & always as friends of both her & Father and of the very kind attentions that were paid to her by Mrs. V. (that I have written more as though I was addressing a friend than a stranger please pardon the familiarity I have used in writing this letter) and I am very sure she would wish to be very kindly remembered if she knew I was writing. Then if you will please if it is not too much trouble tell me sum required to defray the contingent expenses I will be very much obliged Yours very resptfy Grace Hoyle P.S If this worth of answer please address Grace Hoyle Elyria Lorain Co Ohio
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Creator: Card, Fannie L.
Date: April 6, 1863
Text: Millerton N. Y. April 6th/68 Mr. Vassar, Hearing that your College is to open the coming Fall, and having a desire to attend, the School if so. I would like you to give me some reliable information concerning the School, upon what terms young Ladies are admitted to and I know of no better way to obtain the information I wished than in this addressing you. Will you be as kind as to inform me as soon as convenient and oblige Fannie L. Card1863 Fannie L. Card Millerton April 6th Answered 10...
Show moreMillerton N. Y. April 6th/68 Mr. Vassar, Hearing that your College is to open the coming Fall, and having a desire to attend, the School if so. I would like you to give me some reliable information concerning the School, upon what terms young Ladies are admitted to and I know of no better way to obtain the information I wished than in this addressing you. Will you be as kind as to inform me as soon as convenient and oblige Fannie L. Card1863 Fannie L. Card Millerton April 6th Answered 10 April in usual wayP.S. Please direct to Fannie L. Card Millerton Dutchess Co. N.Y.
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Creator: Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Date: January 10, 1862
Text: Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Jan. 10 1862 C. Swan - Secretary Vassar Female College Dear Sir—— We see the propriety of a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the College say about the 25 of February next at this place and desire you to confer with the Chairman of the Board & if he concurs notify the Trustees of the meeting----- M Vassar M.P. Jewett

Creator: Raymond, Charles A.
Date: September 12, 1862
Text: Friday Sept 12. Matthew Vassar Esq. Dr[Dear] Freind[sic]. I send by Charlie to avoid to delay of mails. I have received from N[ew] Haven what interest money could be collected on short notice, being about half what I need. Please let me know by Charlie what I must do to make the necessary arrangements for the remainder, and I will find time to come up to-morrow morning and execute what bonds may be necessary. I never hated anything in my life, more than I have the stern decrees of an adverse...
Show moreFriday Sept 12. Matthew Vassar Esq. Dr[Dear] Freind[sic]. I send by Charlie to avoid to delay of mails. I have received from N[ew] Haven what interest money could be collected on short notice, being about half what I need. Please let me know by Charlie what I must do to make the necessary arrangements for the remainder, and I will find time to come up to-morrow morning and execute what bonds may be necessary. I never hated anything in my life, more than I have the stern decrees of an adverse fate, which make it necessary for me thus to trouble you, and whatever obligation I may give, you may be assured will afford me but little repose until it is cancelled. The customary salute to Miss Amanda. Until to-morrow. Yours Truly Chas[Charles] A. RaymondRev’d[Reverend] Ch[arles] C.[A.] Raymond Sept. 12. 1862
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Creator: Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Date: November 13, 1860
Text: Poughkeepsie November 13th, 1860 Miss Susan B Anthony Dear Madam In reply to your note of yesterday enquiring whether the … is true that I had made an appropriation $400,000 - to found a College for girls in all reflects equal Harvard or Yale I answer yes, and the grounds for its location purchased the central for its erection of the buildings awarded and the work will be commenced early the ensuing spring Yours very Respectfully etc M Vassar

Creator: Condit, Florence H.
Date: February 1863
Text: Bronton Feb 1868 Mr. Matthew Vassar Esq., Sir I shall open my letter with an appology [sic] for writing to you; I am afraid that it is a very bold step of young girl to write to a person she knows nothing about, without the knowledge of her parents. Having heard from a schoolmate of mine such glowing discriptions [sic] of Vassar College that is to be opened next fall, for which she is now preparing, and having read an article in Godey’s Lady Boo upon the subject, a great longing seized my...
Show moreBronton Feb 1868 Mr. Matthew Vassar Esq., Sir I shall open my letter with an appology [sic] for writing to you; I am afraid that it is a very bold step of young girl to write to a person she knows nothing about, without the knowledge of her parents. Having heard from a schoolmate of mine such glowing discriptions [sic] of Vassar College that is to be opened next fall, for which she is now preparing, and having read an article in Godey’s Lady Boo upon the subject, a great longing seized my mind to go there. I think it is very strange indeed; it shows what great assurance I have: the idea of entering a boarding school I never once dreamed of, not because I would not liked to have gone, but simply because I knew that my parents were not able to afford it. But now that something grand is about to be developed in the world, something that I have every reason to believewill eclipse all boarding schools and every other kind of school, I have at once framed the idea of going there: and my audacity rising to such a degree that I actually find myself sitting down and writing to its founder upon the subject. I never did such a thing before in my life, and I hardly know whether I am writing or dreaming. I am at once an orphan and the child of adoption; my mother died when I was an infant, but I have not been permitted to feel her loss, for God in his great mercy has given me another that cannot be excelled. My parents are both well advanced in life and the only means of sustenance they have, is the rents they obtain from some property of theirs which is barely sufficient to support us comfortably. Therefore it is utterly impossible to look to them for funds to send me to college or anywhere else. They laugh at the idea, and if I had spoken of such a thing as writing to you they would have considered it a mere childish whim unworthy their notice. In speakingof the college the other day, I said to my Father- Father I want to go to this college and if there is any way for me to get there I am going; at which he just laughed and said- go-go I’ll not hinder you.- But the money Father, I replied I can not go without that- Oh! the money that’s another consideration I have nothing to do with that, you said you were going so I supposed of course you had everything ready. I then told them I would be willing to live on bread and water, or even board myself that I would get a large box and fill it with all kinds of crackers, putting some cheese and a few red herrings in for a variety, if by these means I could at best effect an entrance into the much wished-for-college. But I got nicely laughed at for pains in suggesting them; the idea of me turning (…) seemed to give him food for mirth: to add to the laughter my suggestions appeared to have produced, a gentleman who is boarding with us said that a person wishing to go to such a place must not only be wealthy, but must have some influential friend or friends connected with the college, beforethey could hope to obtain admission. Now I am not wealthy, for I do not own a penny that I am aware of; and if I have any influential friends I have not yet made their acquaintance. But notwithstanding all that was said to discourage me, I still adhered to my stubborn resolution of going there, provided I could get there, and so I told them. Then mother said when I got ready to start she would safely promise me a gold watch, and the aforesaid gentleman thought he would then be able to buy me a pair of skates; and father added that a whip would be the most suitable present for so foolish a girl. And this they kept on joking and laughing at my expense, although I tried not to notice them. Now Mr Vassar would you not suppose that all these difficulties combined, would drive all thoughts of college out of my head? But no, on the contrary so perverse am I, that the greater difficulties the greater my desire. My mind has been swelling upon the subject ever since I heard the name of Vassar College, and at last some good fairy (or some evil one I am not sure which) suggestedthe idea of writing and laying the case before you: you are I concluded to take her advice but not without sundry misgivings for I feared that it would be improper, and more especially so by doing it without my parents knowledge: but I was paid if I let them know that it would spirit all, and my fine air castle (for such I fear it is) would come down to the ground in merely less time than it took to rear it. But the desire has so burned in my mind that I can not put my fairy’s suggestion away. I have been thinking it all carefully over, and I see no waving whatever in my simply writing to you and explaining my situation. Now I will come to the point at once. Mr Vassar I want to come to your college; you know all the particulars, you know that I have not a penny with which to pay my tuition, nor have I any prospect of ever having one. But I have heard of manual labor colleges where students no wealthier than I have worked their way through. I thought probably this might be something of the kind, and if so I am willing to do anything in my power that is perfectly right for me to do. I willsubmit to any little inconveniences, I will do any kind of work that I am able to, provided you will admit me to the college, and let me have all the advantages other students have. If you will only grant my request Mr. Vassar, I do not think you will ever regret it, for if it ever lies in my power I will surely repay you twofold; and if I am not permitted to show my gratitude, God will not suffer you to go unrewarded. I think I am old enough to go, for I shall be seventeen in March but I am afraid that I am not far enough advanced; I am very deficient in arithmetic and algebra; but I shall try my best to master both. The friend I mentioned as going to your college in the first part of my letter, although several years younger I, is much farther advanced in those two studies. She is a very smart girl and promises to make an excellent scholar: indeed I always feel ashamed of myself when I think of her, she so much younger than I, yet so much smarter. I am now studying French and like it very much I should like to study if possible several other languages. But of all the accomplishments that I have thegreatest desire to learn is music, instrumental music, I am excessively fond of the beautiful art, but even this my parents have been compelled to deny me, not being able to pay a music teacher. What I feel the most anxiety about is (as I mentioned before) my deficiency in mathematics. I have almost despaired of ever being able to understand them as I should; others have no difficulty in clearly comprehending what to me is incomprehensible. I really feel afraid that when I see the end of my arithmetic and algebra, I shall be an old woman somewhere on the road to ninety. But I intend to try my best and see if I cannot get through both this coming summer. I hope Sir I have not done wrong in this writing to you; I feel confident my parents will forgive me when I tell them all, and if it should please you to return me a favorable answer you can easily imagine the astonishment it would produce in the home circle. I should not then be considered quite so childish, and I could call upon my mother for the gold watch and make like demands upon the others. But if you think Sir that I have done wrong, then please do not answer my letter for I would rather forfeit the best education in the world than obtain one in a wrong manner. If I had not written to you the idea would always have haunted my mind that perhaps if I had asked for an education I might have received one. An education is a great thing, and if so great a thing can be obtained by merely asking, I thought I would ask: forgive me if I am mistaken and do not reply to my letter. I simply remain Florence H. Candit Bronton Morris Co N. Jersey.
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Creator: Tourne, Mary
Date: June 1, 1861
Text: Mary L. Towne Oneida Castle June 1, 1861Mr. Matthew Vassar I suppose there is no law of society or rule of etiquette that makes it necessary for me to acknowledge the receipt of your book of Proceedings, but I want to —— the ——. I felt discouraged when I saw that there were 2 1/2 years between me and Vassar College. The —— community (a paradise of summer) that are located within sight of me, are building ——. Their structure is to accommodate in hundred, perhaps it will not be as highly...
Show moreMary L. Towne Oneida Castle June 1, 1861Mr. Matthew Vassar I suppose there is no law of society or rule of etiquette that makes it necessary for me to acknowledge the receipt of your book of Proceedings, but I want to —— the ——. I felt discouraged when I saw that there were 2 1/2 years between me and Vassar College. The —— community (a paradise of summer) that are located within sight of me, are building ——. Their structure is to accommodate in hundred, perhaps it will not be as highly finished as yours, it \ was commenced this spring, and all will be finished this autumn. So I keep saying to my-self certainly within a year I shall enter college. I have two wealthy friends herethat would start for Poughkeepsie tomorrow if the door were opened, but in two years they will think they have passed the meridian, but still I will wait patiently. Prophet and Kings desired it long and died without the sight I may but will hope on. You have one daughter. I thought so. and was sorry for you but what a multitude of young women will rise up and call you blessed, may the Good Father preserve your valuable life till you have secured verbally the blessings of those that were ready to perish is the prayer of Mary T. Towne Oneida Castle
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Creator: Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Date: August 19, 1864
Text: Springs ide Friday Morning. Aug. 19. 1864 My dear Doctor All safe-----the steamer arrived l/4 4. O'cke----- 6 spring Waggons in attendance at Wharff - at 5 P.M - all safe in College. The Docks where litteraly black with people, majority being Black Legs who came up from N. Y City and Towns along shore to see the long announced Boat Race perhaps 10.000 persons witnessed this foolish and useless exhibition------ It is not often I allow myself an indulgence of grief - but I con- fess my...
Show moreSprings ide Friday Morning. Aug. 19. 1864 My dear Doctor All safe-----the steamer arrived l/4 4. O'cke----- 6 spring Waggons in attendance at Wharff - at 5 P.M - all safe in College. The Docks where litteraly black with people, majority being Black Legs who came up from N. Y City and Towns along shore to see the long announced Boat Race perhaps 10.000 persons witnessed this foolish and useless exhibition------ It is not often I allow myself an indulgence of grief - but I con- fess my spirits failed me yesterday on reading the closing portion of your note - viz - nWhen our hearts are both dust may the print of our toil still feed the myriads of immortal minds &cn - this sentence brought me down with tears, considering how many eyes will hearafter be gazing upon these Gems while the Collector, and donor bones lies mouldering in the in the grave----. Yours truly &c M. Vassar (To Elias L. Magoon) 241 40Springs ide Friday Morning. Aug. 19. 1864 My dear Doctor All safe-----the steamer arrived l/4 4. O'cke----- 6 spring Waggons in attendance at Wharff - at 5 P.M - all safe in College. The Docks where litteraly black with people, majority being Black Legs who came up from N. Y City and Towns along shore to see the long announced Boat Race perhaps 10.000 persons witnessed this foolish and useless exhibition------ It is not often I allow myself an indulgence of grief - but I con- fess my spirits failed me yesterday on reading the closing portion of your note - viz - nWhen our hearts are both dust may the print of our toil still feed the myriads of immortal minds &cn - this sentence brought me down with tears, considering how many eyes will hearafter be gazing upon these Gems while the Collector, and donor bones lies mouldering in the in the grave----. Yours truly &c M. Vassar (To Elias L. Magoon)
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Creator: Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Date: January 24, 1861
Text: Poughkeepsie, Jan. 24, 1861, John H. Raymond, Esq., Dear Sir, You will perceive from a copy of the Charter accompany- ing, that you are appointed one of the Corporators of "Vassar Female College". Permit me to express the earnest hope that you will accept the trust, and that you will not only give to the enterprise about to be inaugurated the sanction of your name & reputation, but also your best counsel and active support and cooperation. The first meeting of the Trustees will...
Show morePoughkeepsie, Jan. 24, 1861, John H. Raymond, Esq., Dear Sir, You will perceive from a copy of the Charter accompany- ing, that you are appointed one of the Corporators of "Vassar Female College". Permit me to express the earnest hope that you will accept the trust, and that you will not only give to the enterprise about to be inaugurated the sanction of your name & reputation, but also your best counsel and active support and cooperation. The first meeting of the Trustees will be held at the Gregory (twenty sixth)- House in this city, on Tuesday, February 28th at 10 o'clock, A.M. Immediately on the organization of the Board, I shall place in its hands the Funds and Securities which I have appropriated to the College. At this meeting, measures must be adopted for the custody and management of the College funds, the erection of the Buildings, and the improvement of the Grounds. Needful preliminary and prospective arrangements will also be considered in regard to the Organization of the F-tHid-s College. H-enc-e? -it-is-ef- ^-ea4>impe3?t8rfK^ 4hafc- -ev-e€*y- T-^^s-te e-^feo^d-d-be-p^eeettt-T It is thought that thebusiness may be finished, either in the Board itself, or by reference to appropriate Committees, so that the members 40 .133 . Jan, 24, 1861 -2 may return home, the same evening. With sentiments of high consideration, I am, Very truly & respectfully, Your obt, svt., M Vassar
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Creator: Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Date: April 5, 1860
Text: Poughkeepsie April 5th I860 My Dear friend I am this morning in receipt of your verry kind note of the 26™ ultimo, what has detained it on its transit I know not, but ten days seems to remind one of our youth full days some 70 years ago, however, it is never too late to profit by your counsels, and altho1 I deeply regret that I cannot avail myself of them as fully as I could wish, yet it is encouraging to notice your kindness of doing what you can in aid of my contemplated enterprise. Would...
Show morePoughkeepsie April 5th I860 My Dear friend I am this morning in receipt of your verry kind note of the 26™ ultimo, what has detained it on its transit I know not, but ten days seems to remind one of our youth full days some 70 years ago, however, it is never too late to profit by your counsels, and altho1 I deeply regret that I cannot avail myself of them as fully as I could wish, yet it is encouraging to notice your kindness of doing what you can in aid of my contemplated enterprise. Would that your health & other circumstances were at my entire service in this my purposed plans. I begin to feel the greater urgency in this my long cherrished object as I see and hear so many of my friends & relatives passing off from time into eternity, admonishing me that "whatever my hands findeth to do &cn to do quickly I notice you are progressing with your "University*1 buildings, how much I could desire to have the beni- fits of your valuable building stone, we have nothing of the kind within available distance, so we shall rear our whole Structure of Brick, of which we have abundant and off the best quality. Doct Babcock, Profr Jewett and a few other friends were out yesterday on a tour of examination for Locating our College, but have not definitely settled as yet upon the location. There are some indispensable considerations to be keep in view, vis. 1 . An airy & healthy situation 2 . An ample supply of good Water 3. facilities for cesdbs-pools & other) drainage) 4r Proximity to our city to insure easy ingress & egress, yet avoiding to much exposure or contact with the masses. 5 Sufficiently Elevated to command a fine prospect of our beau- tifull surroundings-----&—without bleakness.My own grounds r,Springsiden and nMillcoven embraces more or less of these several points, yet we find objections to both, our attention was then turned to other localities, but found none within our measure of fitness and price to warrant a purchase Next Week we make another examination with our Architect and hope then to decide upon the grounds* I shall be always happy to receive your counsels and advise, for I greatly need it, I am treading upon entirely new occupation to me, and fear less I make a misstep, therefore I shall always be extremely thankfull to receive advise from the friends of Education and progress in Knowledge throughout our Common Country As I am receiving many communications respecting my plans &c, you will excuse my haste in the acknowledgement of your valued kind now before me Yours very truly &c M Vassar (To Martin B. Anderson)
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Creator: Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Date: December 16, 1862
Text: Poughkeepsie December, 16, 1862 Mrs Sarah M Perkins Dear Madam Yours of the 11th (…) is received and in reply would remark that am College buildings are in process of construction but from the magnitude will require some 18 mos or 2 years to complete. In consequence of the long absence of our President (…) M P Jewett, on a professional tour in Europe no organization or rules of (…) for the College has as yet been adopted, as soon as these arrangements can be made you will her [sic] from us...
Show morePoughkeepsie December, 16, 1862 Mrs Sarah M Perkins Dear Madam Yours of the 11th (…) is received and in reply would remark that am College buildings are in process of construction but from the magnitude will require some 18 mos or 2 years to complete. In consequence of the long absence of our President (…) M P Jewett, on a professional tour in Europe no organization or rules of (…) for the College has as yet been adopted, as soon as these arrangements can be made you will her [sic] from us again, in the mean while your letter will be placed on file to be referred to again at the proper time. Yours respectfully &c MV
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Creator: Davis, Ellen M.
Date: February 1, 1864
Text: Kingham, Feb. 11, 1864 Dear Mr Vassar: I received your kind letter on Thursday last, but have been prevented answering it until the present time, having been in the meantime preparing for, and ultimately conducting the quarterly public examination of my school. I wished very much to write to you at once. Will you please excuse me that I did not. I thank you, Sir, for the Reports. I have read them with much interest. When I wrote you I thought that one could not enter your College without the...
Show moreKingham, Feb. 11, 1864 Dear Mr Vassar: I received your kind letter on Thursday last, but have been prevented answering it until the present time, having been in the meantime preparing for, and ultimately conducting the quarterly public examination of my school. I wished very much to write to you at once. Will you please excuse me that I did not. I thank you, Sir, for the Reports. I have read them with much interest. When I wrote you I thought that one could not enter your College without the customarypreparation termed “fitting,” and also that it was expected of them to remain four years. Since you have told me that such a course is not insisted upon, but that a pupil may take up any branch that she may hitherto have had no opportunity to pursue, and continue in the Institution less time than the four specified years. I have decided that, of all Schools, I would rather attend yours: and if you will remember me, as you suggested, when the glad time of its commencement comes, I shall be proud to enter those Halls as one of the “original” members of Vassar Female College. In my wildest dreams of the future I had never anticipated such high distinction.And now, Sir, if it is not asking too much, will you please write me again, and tell me what will be the probable expense, per year, for me, at your school? I wish so much that I might see and converse with you on this subject, and on others relating to the time where I in common with many other grateful women shall enjoy the fruits of your magnificence. I am extremely sorry, Sir, that your health is not firm as you could wish. May God be with you, Sir, and may He restore to you that priceless soon if it can be His Will. And now, dear Sir, will you please accept my most heartfelt thanks for your kindness. God’s hand, I trust, directedme to you. My acquaintance with you marks an era in my existence. Henceforth my path shall be broader, and light shall illumine the darkness which I have felt in these many years. May God bless you, dear Mr Vassar Is the prayer of Your sincere friend Ellen M. Davis
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Creator: Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Date: January 26, 1864
Text: Poughkeepsie January 26tjl 1864 My Dear Miss Davis Your frank, and soul stirring letter of the 23 inst is at hand mental and its contents are only another proof of the want of some^medium whereby the craving desires, of so many of your sex can be gratified. to It was this very idea to afford '"Woman" an opportunity to help herself may that she -will do it - and that as well as Men, but being created after Man, desired thus too have he has in all ages. obliged her to become...
Show morePoughkeepsie January 26tjl 1864 My Dear Miss Davis Your frank, and soul stirring letter of the 23 inst is at hand mental and its contents are only another proof of the want of some^medium whereby the craving desires, of so many of your sex can be gratified. to It was this very idea to afford '"Woman" an opportunity to help herself may that she -will do it - and that as well as Men, but being created after Man, desired thus too have he has in all ages. obliged her to become second to him in all departments of life .while the Creator only intended her to be a help mate to him, not he hasAmost countrie hia Servant or Slave, he hasAmost countries made her his Slave. I will place your intelligent note on file and when our College open (Spring '65) will endeavour to find a possition for you in some one of the department of Studies, for I cannot believe that a Lady manifesting such intense thirst for human knowledge would prove a drone in the hive of any Institution.Your case meets the primary object for which V.F.C. was^fes designed, vis to furnish an education M the highest mental instruction to those you were hungering & thirsting for such Knowledge, Our College enter it is founded upon the University plan, any pupil canover the age of 12 years, and may learn such branches of Study as she or her guardians choose. The s whole course ^f Ctudica would occupy ordinaryly 4 Years, but any special given branches which she prefer to attain of Course will be grantod and she can the remain in College only one Year receiving a diplomata for what Studies 194 a Jan. 26, 1864 - 2 she has mastered. My health is such I do not as not to permit'me to go abroad, therefore could not meet your proposed appointment I send you a brief sketch of the proceedings of the first Board of Trustees, and a Copy of Pres. Jewett professional tour to Europe I single would send our plan on "Organisation" but have not a copy left. Now Dear Miss D I avail myself of the permission suggested in your kind let- you ter, "not to denyAthe Means needed" without the best of reasons," and that is suhstantialy this, that I have pledg" myself to God, and Country women, to Build \ eqtlp and endow an Institution for "Woman", and I dare other not allow myself to turn aside from this purpose for any.earthly object. I am dr Madame ^Matthew Vassar 1
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Creator: Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Date: March 22, 1864
Text: 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...
Show morePoughkeepsie 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 }Copy Letter to Prof. M. P. Jewett 22 March 22, 1864
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Creator: Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Date: September 29, 1865
Text: VASSAR FEjMALE COLLEGE Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Sept* 29^ 1865 Messs Eastmans Gentlemen I am just in receipt of your nOffice Western Institution National Business College Circular11 inviting me to attend its opening on Tuesday next and in reply allow me to say that it would afford me the most gratifying pleasure to join you and your numerous friends on that interesting occasion if my health would possibly admit, but having been quite exhausted in the late exercises of the V. F* College I do not...
Show moreVASSAR FEjMALE COLLEGE Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Sept* 29^ 1865 Messs Eastmans Gentlemen I am just in receipt of your nOffice Western Institution National Business College Circular11 inviting me to attend its opening on Tuesday next and in reply allow me to say that it would afford me the most gratifying pleasure to join you and your numerous friends on that interesting occasion if my health would possibly admit, but having been quite exhausted in the late exercises of the V. F* College I do not find my strength adequate to meet with you, I can only therefore express my desire that God will sustain you in your noble efforts in elevating your Institution for the development of the youthfull mind in that City as in this--- Miss G*--------joins me in these wishes with her sincere regards &c I remain Gentlemen Yours truly &c. M* Vassar PresJ H« G* Eastman L,L#D. ) ) Profr— E. P. Eastman, Principal.) ^?38aVASSAR FEjMALE COLLEGE Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Sept 29th 1865 Messs Eastmans Gentlemen I am just in receipt of your nOffice Western Institution National Business College Circular11 inviting me to attend its opening on Tuesday next and in reply allow me to say that it would afford me the most gratifying pleasure to join you and your numerous friends on that interesting occasion if my health would possibly admit, but having been quite exhausted in the late exercises of the V. F* College I do not find my strength adequate to meet with you, I can only thereforeexpress my desire that God will sustain you in your noble efforts in elevating your Institution for the development of the youthfull mind in that City as in this--- Miss G*--------joins me in these wishes with her sincere regards &c I remain Gentlemen Yours truly &c. M* Vassar PresJ H« G* Eastman L.L.D. Profr— E. P. Eastman, Principal.
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Creator: May, Eliza M.
Date: March 24, 1862
Text: Eliza M. May— March 24, 1862 answer 28 March(…) March 24 Mrs. Vassar Dear friend We have seen accounts of the female College, which is to be opened at Poughkeepsie this spring, & I write to ask of you the favor of a full account of the advantages of the school, how old, & how far advanced pupils must be, the course of instruction, the expenses, &c. My sister has a daughter, she is desirous to send to a thorough school, & when her physical, as well as moral & mental...
Show moreEliza M. May— March 24, 1862 answer 28 March(…) March 24 Mrs. Vassar Dear friend We have seen accounts of the female College, which is to be opened at Poughkeepsie this spring, & I write to ask of you the favor of a full account of the advantages of the school, how old, & how far advanced pupils must be, the course of instruction, the expenses, &c. My sister has a daughter, she is desirous to send to a thorough school, & when her physical, as well as moral & mental attention will be cared for,I have passed through many trying scenes since I saw you in fact my whole life, has been one scene of affliction ever since, My health entirely failed often D’s death, & for two years I dragged on a painful existence; I have been much better the past year. How is it with you & your husband Y& little ones? I hope you are well & prosperous; Will you please answer at your earliest convenience With many kind wishes & remain your friend Eliza L Mayyour earnest attention of importance
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Creator: Dourey, Clara B.
Date: March 27, 1861
Text: C B. Dougrey ..forms March 27, 1861Mr. Vassar, Dear Sir, Seeing by the paper, you were about to establish a school for young ladies, at Poughkeepsie. I have taken the liberty, to write and see if I could make arrangements to attend. What would be the lowest terms, I would be taken for. I would like to qualify myself in, French, Music, & Painting, for the purpose of teaching. Please answer, stating terms, also when the school opens. Yours respectfully, Clara B. Dougrey

Creator: Davis, Ellen M.
Date: January 23, 1864
Text: Kingham, Ms. Jan. 23, 1864 Dear Sir: Will you permit me, though we have never met, to address you? I know you to be the earnest, warm-hearted friend of all young women who have chosen Wisdom’s Way for their Life Path: and, as such an one I would come to you. You have done, for my sex, that which calls forth our deepest, sincerest gratitude, and which shall perpetuate in our heads- and not only ours, but is those of generations to come your revered memory. What a source of unalloyed pleasure...
Show moreKingham, Ms. Jan. 23, 1864 Dear Sir: Will you permit me, though we have never met, to address you? I know you to be the earnest, warm-hearted friend of all young women who have chosen Wisdom’s Way for their Life Path: and, as such an one I would come to you. You have done, for my sex, that which calls forth our deepest, sincerest gratitude, and which shall perpetuate in our heads- and not only ours, but is those of generations to come your revered memory. What a source of unalloyed pleasure it must be to you, to feel that, from this time onward there shall be many, many heartsthrobbing with the vitality which your munificence has given them the power to awaken and sustain. How many women of these United States, shall, in the days to come, take your name upon their lips- tearfully- and thankfully. And who shall estimate the eternal difference which your generosity shall make, not only to these, but to those who, in God’s Providence shall be entrusted to their keeping. Oh, Sir, you have done a noble work! May your life long be spared that you may see somewhat of its glorious results. It is because I know that I shall have your welcome sympathy that I presume to write you. I know that you will not think lightly nor unappreciatingly of what I, in all earnestness of soul, wish to ask you, nor write me a neg-active reply without the best of reasons. And so, Sir, if you will overlook the fact that we are, in reality, entire strangers, and consider me, on behalf of my sex, a grateful friend, as I regard you a kind benefactor, I shall feel that I am permitted to tell you what shall follow, and, as briefly as I can, that I may not presume on your time, not weary you. I am twenty-three years of age. Ten years ago my Father died, and left my Mother and myself without any income. My Mother kept me at school two years, for two years I performed manual labor, and for the last six I have taught in the public schools of this place, without intermission- forty-four weeks each year. In these years I havedesired, more than I can tell you to be acquiring the education of which my early misfortunes deprived me. I have studied by myself to some extent, but find it unsatisfactory in many respects, and excessively wearing to my nervous system, after the labors of the day. I have tried to lay aside enough to pursue my studies in some school- but I have been able to lay aside but fifty-five dollars. For I have never had a larger salary than two-hundred and fifty dollars, and, for more than a year after the war commenced, but two-hundred and twelve: and this to cover every expense. I presume that you will not wonder that I have not accumulated more. Indeed, I have needed what I have laid aside, many times.And now, Sir, I have come to the conclusion that it is useless, longer to expect, myself, to be able, ever to be so circumstanced that I can leave my daily labor and obtain that for which my soul incessantly longs. But I cannot relinquish these strong desires, because they seem to have become a part of my very life. I wrote something of my heart, a few days since (Jan. 4th) to a gentleman in New York City a celebrated inventor, but whom I had never seen, and since then, at his appointment have had an interview with him in Boston, and he promised me that he would pay half the expense of a Normal Course, if some other person would defray the other half.I have no friend who has the ability, that I can ask, therefore I pray you do not deem it rude that I have turned to you. The other gentleman, whose name I will give you if you wish, seemed to regard it in no other way than as handball, and not unreasonable. I have given the Normal Course the preference to others for several reasons. The expenses are lighter there than at most schools, tuition being free, and somewhat of aid being appropriated by the state for necessitous pupils. Then, too, the course extends through but a year and a half, and as I am older than the majority of female students, that is a consideration. Of course I should not think, at my age, of fitting for and entering college, although at an earlier period, I should have beenmuch gratified, could I have done so So I have decided that if it is possible, I will enter the Westfield Normal School at the commencement of the next term, in March. I am impatient to begin, for my days are “going on.” I am somewhat indisposed, the result of continuous application, and am hoping to take a few weeks rest, during next month, by putting a substitute in my place at school. I expect to spend a few days with friends at New York, and if you would rather see me before you decide (what I believe I have after all, only intimated, but which you will understand) I will meet you, at your appointment. I have written at much greater length than I had intended. I trust you will excuse1864 Ellen M. Davis 26 January Answered 28 me. Dear Sir, may I expect an early reply? I cannot tell you how grateful I will be. I await with solicitude. May God guide and bless you, Sir, Yours Truly Ellen M. Davis
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Creator: Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Date: October 18, 1867
Text: Oct. 18.1867 My dear Miss Stilson Right glad I were to receive a note from you under date of the 12th current, acknowledging the safe re- ceipt of " V. C. & its Founder". I began to have fears that like several others sent by the " American Express Company " had failed to reach its destination, I am also happy to hear you were pleased with the work. If the particulars I gave you of the late opening of the College were " interesting " to you I am happy &...
Show moreOct. 18.1867 My dear Miss Stilson Right glad I were to receive a note from you under date of the 12th current, acknowledging the safe re- ceipt of " V. C. & its Founder". I began to have fears that like several others sent by the " American Express Company " had failed to reach its destination, I am also happy to hear you were pleased with the work. If the particulars I gave you of the late opening of the College were " interesting " to you I am happy & amply paid for writing it, as nothing gives me more pleasure than to please my College Children, and like yourself when I fall to thinking about our absent ones I wish them all back again, but as you remark " this is a "Working world" and have all of us " wings & must expect some will " fly away ", like the Dove in olden times with the emblem of invitation to return with safety to its green pastures &c. I rode out to the College yesterday— a lovely day, Saw many of your old Schoolmates, they were glad to hear from you through me, some were walking, Riding, Rowing, and some rolling 10 Pins in the New Ball Alley opened yesterday in the Gymnasium Build- ing—on the south side in Basement—one Alley on either side 100 feet long. Room Lighted nights with Gass, heated with Steam, many practice evenings & 150 pupils have enrolled their names. It is much liked as a physical exercise, and that you know is my great object " Physical Exercise ". I hope my dear Miss S. you will find it to your Convenience to return to the College soon. I remain truly Yours M. Vassar.Miss Sarah L. Stilson Martinsburgh New York
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Creator: Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Date: March 17, 1864
Text: Jewett wants to have his own Professors - see List Did I not stand by you in the matter of your salary $2000 at the 1st meeting of the Board 1861, saying, or intamating[intimating] that it was all right, altho[ugh], never considled[considered] by you on the subject Did I not stand by in the matter of Miss Church pictures & assumed the further payment of the others to come to some $3000 Did I not Stand by you in the “Observatory” when the Ex[ecutive] Com[mittee] was opposed to Building it....
Show moreJewett wants to have his own Professors - see List Did I not stand by you in the matter of your salary $2000 at the 1st meeting of the Board 1861, saying, or intamating[intimating] that it was all right, altho[ugh], never considled[considered] by you on the subject Did I not stand by in the matter of Miss Church pictures & assumed the further payment of the others to come to some $3000 Did I not Stand by you in the “Observatory” when the Ex[ecutive] Com[mittee] was opposed to Building it. Did I not defend your mistakes in the Gass pipe fixtures, the Hospital mistakes, Kitchen, mistakes, no Privys or water closets in Servants apartments, Did not I stand by in smoothing over your blunders in Printing the first Pamplets[sic] containing the College Proceedings at first Meeting 1861. Did not the Board, order an entire new issue Have I not sided with you in every matter, rather than with the Com[mittee] so much so, as to create some jeoulosy[jealousy] etc Did I not go to N[ew] York to see “Bishop” and persuaded him to withdraw his letter of Resignation, The same with Dr. Magoon, on account of your imprudence of management on the Com[mittee] of Art etc Did I not defend you in the matter of your [treatise] to Balcook & Raymond Does not your Letter to “Wayne”, about my imbecellity[imbecility] & childness[childishness] etc show your feelings towards me, notwithstanding your protestations as Friendship to the contrary.Did you not under pretence[sic] get all my correspondence while in you were in Europe from me and then when I ask you for them you said you had burnt them. Did you not also try to get your Letters from me in Oct[ober] last and fact have you not fortify yourself against all and any charges I could make to defend my character. Did you not tell “Stirling” and others this story about my being married to Miss H and ostensibly to make my friends believe that my mental faculties where[were] on the “wane”. Did not Mr J. will Amanda same
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Creator: Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868, Murphy, O.
Date: September 16, 1863
Text: Sept. 16" 1863 This may certify that I Matthew Vassar Founder of the Vassar Female College in consideration of the privileges and benefits designed to inure to a certain class of pupils as beneficiary? in said College to the extent of the funds set apart for that object, It is my wish and I do hereby commend to the Trustees of said College, my young friend Elocy Kate Murphy daughter of Olivia & John Murphy to receive on her arriving at proper age a thorough education at said College...
Show moreSept. 16" 1863 This may certify that I Matthew Vassar Founder of the Vassar Female College in consideration of the privileges and benefits designed to inure to a certain class of pupils as beneficiary? in said College to the extent of the funds set apart for that object, It is my wish and I do hereby commend to the Trustees of said College, my young friend Elocy Kate Murphy daughter of Olivia & John Murphy to receive on her arriving at proper age a thorough education at said College free of charge. The said E. Kate Murphy being at this date about 3 years of age Matthew Vassar 173 a
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Creator: Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Date: March 24, 1864
Text: Copy of a letter to the Hon-Wm Kelly taken from … — March 24 by — Juan = to … … March 1864 Mr W Kelly My dear Sir. The very friendly tone of your letter of the 21st … justifies the entire … I have in your judgement & your interest in myself and all that concerns our College. From you I have nothing whatever to conceal. I am gratified at your approval of my conduct in this emergency with Mr Jewett and have the utmost hope that I shall do nothing that may not meet the approbation of every...
Show moreCopy of a letter to the Hon-Wm Kelly taken from … — March 24 by — Juan = to … … March 1864 Mr W Kelly My dear Sir. The very friendly tone of your letter of the 21st … justifies the entire … I have in your judgement & your interest in myself and all that concerns our College. From you I have nothing whatever to conceal. I am gratified at your approval of my conduct in this emergency with Mr Jewett and have the utmost hope that I shall do nothing that may not meet the approbation of every good man. But your letters embarrasses me s it leads me to believe you are not fairly apprised of the result of the bate interview between myself & Mr Jewett. I of course treated him politely as my own self respect required me to do but nothing occurred to justify any hope in expression on his part that our … were to be hereafter any different than there indicated in my letter to him of the … instant which I read to you. Upon receiving your letter I have written him again to their effect so that he may be [anon] no misapprehension. Indeed I cannot conceive how it was possible for him so far to have misunderstood me for I have not and cannot give him again “the possession of any friendly confidence”. I cannot have desired that … from anything that has passed between as for nothing has in any … justified it. I cannot gain … safe in … him alone of such representations as to follow on interviews. I beg you my dar sir to look at my position. I have given the results of my life to this College — a very toilsome long and innocuous life. I have hoped to do a good thing and indeed a great one. I have given to it every effort & every thought of my later years unweariedly. It excludes every other interest and every other occupation. My … has been most assiduously sought for years … by Mr Jewett and has been obtained to as unlimited degree. I have allowed his importunities at times to forestall my own judgement so entirely have I been willing to yield my personal preference … to advance my undertaking. But one concession has only demanded another & another until my … has been made to waver and I havestruggled with the the doubts raised by his own conduct whether he were equal to the to the position he has sought and obtained at my hands. It is with extreme regret that I am compelled to admit that I have not obtained from him practically that assistance or that counsel which has assured my own mind as to the clearness or his judgement or his power to [organize] & … this immense interest. And these doubts, sir, have been my own. My wishes and my prejudices have all the time been thrown strongly in his favor hoping continually that he might eventually be able to … there and justify my expectation and what the College absolutely requires. Mr Jewett has been always untruly written as to the extent or violence of any prejudice upon the fact of any members or the Ex. … against him so far as I am able to judge. It is impossible that there … have been this hostility to him or to this enterprise which he has fancied without its coming to my knowledge. You may depend upon it they are unreal — at all events up to a very late date and even now they do not take any hope beyond what must be the natural [consequence] of Mr J[ewett] own-conduct and expressions. … these circumstances what can I do that I have not done. I am laboring exhaustively for their College. I cannot and do not propure to compel Mr Jewett to resign his place but I must rid myself of all responsibility and throw it wholly upon the Trustees. I must have the ablest man to be found at the head in order to ensure its success. If the Trustees can find in Mr Jewetts conduct or in anything he has so far done any sufficient guarantee met he is that man I can be silent. So far as he has affronted me in my own [power] I do not … to throw the weight or that upon the College. I can endure anything almost if any College may succeed. If his sincerity, direction,foresight, of his … moral power as a … or other minds and a leader in an … patti, recommend him beyond any other man he must … the president, It would have been an … relief to me to have found him equal to the confidence I have given him personally. It would have been my most exalted personal pleasure to have had a president to whom I could open my whole heart and on when I could privately rely. It is far better that I should fail in all that if that man whoever he may be may be able to win & preserve the confidence of my Trustees and or the guest publics a … well — balanced able and manly man — a man above all intrigue — above selfishness — above jealousy. Reliant upon his open conduct of affairs for his position in office and in the world which must judge him. I have thus fully expand every feeling and desire I harbor. I cannot and do not ask your personal favor or friendship to me. But I do anxiously ask you to give this subject your full attention and that you judge and act as if the presidential chair were vacant and Mr Jewett if you please … the trust men whom you … severe in the … for that place. Who shall … your endorsement — Mr Jewett or another.
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Creator: Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Date: May 1, 1868
Text: Poughkeepsie, Friday Morning May if* 1868, My dear Miss Gilbert* I embrace the earlest leasure moment after the exercises of the "Founders-Day" to thank you for another testi- mony of your goodness in remembrance of me through the beauti- full Boqua of Florals sent by Express-Man yesterday Morning, and if they were of a nature as lasting as the memory of the recipient will be to the donor how delightfully it would add to his happiness &c. Yours very truly &c. &c. Matthew...
Show morePoughkeepsie, Friday Morning May if* 1868, My dear Miss Gilbert* I embrace the earlest leasure moment after the exercises of the "Founders-Day" to thank you for another testi- mony of your goodness in remembrance of me through the beauti- full Boqua of Florals sent by Express-Man yesterday Morning, and if they were of a nature as lasting as the memory of the recipient will be to the donor how delightfully it would add to his happiness &c. Yours very truly &c. &c. Matthew Vassar. To Miss Mary L. Gilbert Vassar College Pofkeepsie N.Y.
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Creator: Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Date: August 27, 1863
Text: rAug. 27, 1863 j Miss Caroline E. Williams Leavenworth Kansas Dear Madam. Absence from the city for a few weeks last past has prevented an earlier reply to your note of the 19 inst. The College is in rapid progress of construction, but by the terms of the Builders contract will not be completed ready for opening before Sep 1864, before which time circulars will be issued setting for terms & conditions &c I send you two Phamplets just issued - one containing the system of organisation,...
Show morerAug. 27, 1863 j Miss Caroline E. Williams Leavenworth Kansas Dear Madam. Absence from the city for a few weeks last past has prevented an earlier reply to your note of the 19 inst. The College is in rapid progress of construction, but by the terms of the Builders contract will not be completed ready for opening before Sep 1864, before which time circulars will be issued setting for terms & conditions &c I send you two Phamplets just issued - one containing the system of organisation, the other the PresJ Professional tour io Europe Yrs &e [Matthew Vassar 3 110 a
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Creator: Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Date: January 16, 1863
Text: Poughkeepsie Dec. Sec. Jany 16. 1863 Gen. D. Goodrich Esq Dear Sir, In reply to yours of the 14th current, I would inform you that our College edifice is in the course of construction but from its magnitude and the terms of the Builders Contract will not be finished ready for opening before the Fall of 1864. Our President Prof. M. P. Jewett has just returned from a professional tour of eight months in Europe and is now busily engaged with his (…) in its individual organization of Professors ...
Show morePoughkeepsie Dec. Sec. Jany 16. 1863 Gen. D. Goodrich Esq Dear Sir, In reply to yours of the 14th current, I would inform you that our College edifice is in the course of construction but from its magnitude and the terms of the Builders Contract will not be finished ready for opening before the Fall of 1864. Our President Prof. M. P. Jewett has just returned from a professional tour of eight months in Europe and is now busily engaged with his (…) in its individual organization of Professors &c At an early day as possible will send you a “circular” int he mean time please to accept of the accompany pamphlets for this days mail, one containing Proceedings of the first Board of Trustees the other an article on the College enterprise by the Revd Moses Tyler Yours very Respectfully
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Creator: Goodrich, George D.
Date: January 14, 1863
Text: 1863 Gen G. Goodrich Princeton January 15th request a daughter Recd 18 January AnsweredPrinceton Jan 14th/63 Mr Vassar Dear Sir, Will you please furnish me with prospects or circulars of the College, recently endowed & established by yourself at Poughkeepsie which will inform me when the academic year commences, terms of admission, expenses, course of study, &c. Pardon the liberty I have taken in addressing you. The name of the gentleman appointed as President I have forgotten. Yours...
Show more1863 Gen G. Goodrich Princeton January 15th request a daughter Recd 18 January AnsweredPrinceton Jan 14th/63 Mr Vassar Dear Sir, Will you please furnish me with prospects or circulars of the College, recently endowed & established by yourself at Poughkeepsie which will inform me when the academic year commences, terms of admission, expenses, course of study, &c. Pardon the liberty I have taken in addressing you. The name of the gentleman appointed as President I have forgotten. Yours very respectfully Gen. D. Goodrich
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Creator: Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Date: November 29, 1861
Text: Answer to Miss Stowe 8th Nov 1861 on the 29 Nov___ Miss Carrie F. Stowe Dear Stranger Your note of the 4"1 current, is just received, and in reply would answer remark, that the article refered to in MGodeyf Ladies Book" of last month embraces the outline of our plan for a Female College now in process of construction, having this week completed the second Story of the Edifice and discharged the workmen untill the coming Spring. The Building have been pushed forward faster than we at...
Show moreAnswer to Miss Stowe 8th Nov 1861 on the 29 Nov___ Miss Carrie F. Stowe Dear Stranger Your note of the 4"1 current, is just received, and in reply would answer remark, that the article refered to in MGodeyf Ladies Book" of last month embraces the outline of our plan for a Female College now in process of construction, having this week completed the second Story of the Edifice and discharged the workmen untill the coming Spring. The Building have been pushed forward faster than we at first contemplated, and should nothing unforeseen prevent will have the whole edifice completed ready for the reception of pupils by the 1st June 1864, Such is the plans of its internal organisation that a limited number of benificiaries will always participate in its benefits, the number however must some what depend upon the paying Pupils et none but the President of the Institution will ever know who are benificiaries or who are paying pupils, nor can they ever be distinguished by their Costume, as these will be furnished at the expense of the College, exacting pay only to such who are paying pupils in the School__ It is the purpose of the Trustees to provide some suitable place at as early a day as possible to prepare Young Ladies for Teaching in the several departments, and [guide pledges] your name before the executive committee with reference to an appointment, I shall be pleased to see your specimen in fine arts, I enelos-e-send p mail Po1 City press T-eieg^aph containing critisims upon two specimens of the art, now on exhibition in this City - costing some $2000 You need no appology in addressing me on the subject for it were with special reference to the deep sympathies I felt for those of your sex strugling with a desire for knowledge without the pecuniry means of to posses it, that prompt me to this public benificence. Endevour my dear stranger to continue your Mental improvements, not forgetting the more important cultivation the heart, and may God in his Providence bless your labours is the sincere prayer of yrs very truly & Respectfully
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Creator: Stables [Stabler], Henry
Date: May 9, 1864
Text: Sandy Spring, Montgomery County 5th, Month (…) 1864 Esteemed Friend, I wish to procure a place in your excellent institution for Isabella E. Stables. Will you please inform me at what time she can be admitted. Our knowledge of the business, form of entering pupil, or earn the person to whom letter of this kind should be addressed in very imperfect, and if I have made a mistake in writing to the (…) I hope my letter will be handed to the proper person. I should be glad to receive a circular...
Show moreSandy Spring, Montgomery County 5th, Month (…) 1864 Esteemed Friend, I wish to procure a place in your excellent institution for Isabella E. Stables. Will you please inform me at what time she can be admitted. Our knowledge of the business, form of entering pupil, or earn the person to whom letter of this kind should be addressed in very imperfect, and if I have made a mistake in writing to the (…) I hope my letter will be handed to the proper person. I should be glad to receive a circular containing further information than I possess, concerning the institution which must interest thousands as it has Your friend Henry Stables1864 Henry Stables Sandy Spring Montgomery Co Md May 9th Answered May 14th
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Creator: Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Date: June 10, 1862
Text: Poughkeepsie June 10 1862, My dear Miss Stowe I am this morning in receipt of your very interesting letter of the 3d inst: with enclosures, and am prompt, under its inspiration of goodness to reply, I am happy to make others happy in any acts of kind- ness or courtesy I can bestow. As you manifest so much interest in my welfare and the V.F. College enterprize I will briefly answer your enquiries, as to the progress of the work, the edifice has now risen to the third tier of beams and expect...
Show morePoughkeepsie June 10 1862, My dear Miss Stowe I am this morning in receipt of your very interesting letter of the 3d inst: with enclosures, and am prompt, under its inspiration of goodness to reply, I am happy to make others happy in any acts of kind- ness or courtesy I can bestow. As you manifest so much interest in my welfare and the V.F. College enterprize I will briefly answer your enquiries, as to the progress of the work, the edifice has now risen to the third tier of beams and expect to have enclosed by the first of Decem- ber next. Allow me to suggest that you must dismiss your modesty in all matters of enquiry touching this institution, I shall allways be happy to impart to you every information pertaining to its progress and prospects. It gives me pleasure to notice in one paragraph in your letter before me that you have "put on Christ11 by a public profession!^ "Baptism*1, this my dear friend is true wisdom—.-nothing can sustain us like the grace of God while walking through this world of Sin and Sorrow, I do congratulate you in this decision, may you my dear friend and Stranger find much consola- tion in living near to your Saviour. I thank you for what you please to call the counterpart of yourself I send you mine in return on the Frontpiece of the "American Journal of Education" with a brief history of my early life. I have now passed my three score and ten, yet have much buyancy of youth, and fair mental vigour, considering that some two years ago had a slight attack of paralisis which some what impairs my memory, otherwise am as well as I ever were in the earlier period of my life. Other engagements oblige me to close this letter. I subscribe myself your friend, On verso: Letters and answers to Carrie F. Stowe Woodstock, Windsor Co., Vermont
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Creator: Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Text: Wednesday Morning My dear Miss Gilbert I have scarcely words to express my thanks to you for the magnificent Collections of Florals and so beautifully arranged in a fancy Basket etc sent me yesterday, altho’ I slightly saw them at the Monday Evening Banquet, I had not time to examine thier[sic] beauties, but yesterday I gave them a full survey. Doct[or] Bishop Lady & Daughter spent the day with us and there were many calls and all admired the beautifull[sic] Gift. May you my dear Miss G....
Show moreWednesday Morning My dear Miss Gilbert I have scarcely words to express my thanks to you for the magnificent Collections of Florals and so beautifully arranged in a fancy Basket etc sent me yesterday, altho’ I slightly saw them at the Monday Evening Banquet, I had not time to examine thier[sic] beauties, but yesterday I gave them a full survey. Doct[or] Bishop Lady & Daughter spent the day with us and there were many calls and all admired the beautifull[sic] Gift. May you my dear Miss G. and your Brother the bearer live many, many years is the prayer of your grateful friend. Matthew Vassar Founder V., College N. B. I invited our Neighbor florist Mr. Haggerty in to see the Boquet[bouquet] this morning who brought with him a N. York City amateur, both of whose admiration justify the above & incoming etc M. V.
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Creator: Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Date: May 20, 1863
Text: Hamilton May 20. 1863. Matthew Vassar Esqr My dear friend I should have written you some time ago, had I not heard that you health was such, that you were not able to [sustain] any correspondence requiring much thought: but having heard from Prof. Reebee that you seemed to be in usual health, and appeared quite young and vigorous, I have decided to make certain suggestions to you which seem to me of great importance to the purpose welfare of your enterprise. I am reluctant to do this for the...
Show moreHamilton May 20. 1863. Matthew Vassar Esqr My dear friend I should have written you some time ago, had I not heard that you health was such, that you were not able to [sustain] any correspondence requiring much thought: but having heard from Prof. Reebee that you seemed to be in usual health, and appeared quite young and vigorous, I have decided to make certain suggestions to you which seem to me of great importance to the purpose welfare of your enterprise. I am reluctant to do this for the reason, that I seem always placed in the position of the man at the most head whose … it is to any “breaker ahead.” and I didn’t like to be always on such …. But someone must give warning, no matter how unpleasant; and if the breaker are there better to know it, than to have the ship sink. I do not like the [scheming], and … rolling propensities of some among your board of trustees, from Doct. B. …, and upwards. From what I infer from some of Mr Jewetts’ letters, these are great efforts being put forth to secure the election of certain …, among those who are trustees, or can influence Trustees, in the election of teachers. If teachers are propounded and elected under such influence, you will have associateda body of men, bound together by no mutual object, and working each man for his own emolument only. Under the new system of instruction which is to be inaugurated, there will be dissatisfaction, which will lead to compliant to the Trustees, and eventually to a wholesale distraction. I have always urged upon Mr Jewett, the … of counteracting all this, by means of your authority. and I am afraid that he does not see the subject as I do, and has therefore said but little on the subject to you. my opinion in that the Trustees have nothing to do in the matter of organization but to carry out your wishes. They are not like Trustees of a general fund, contributed by the public, who are to act for the public. and as long as you live, and have your own views to perfect they ought not to be permitted to interfere with your wishes. This is the high ground which I would assume as the …, and as you have a purpose in what you have done in establishing do great an enterprise, that purpose should be respected. If you are clear in your convictions, and … in the expression of your wishes, they cannot in decency fail to do as you wish. and how much contention & trouble, both present and future will be saved, by starting from so simple, and first a stand point, in completing your organization, as your wishes. I am prepared to submit to you a plan, with its details; by which alone in my opinion, you can start right, and keep right; and avoid all the anxieties and difficulties of selecting & electing your professors. and also secure the college against all contemptible scheming, & log-rolling, both now and hereafter. If it is not done before the time meeting, and by your own personal authority, co operating with Mr Jewett, it can never be done at all. and your college will be like other colleges, full of schemers, & jealous minded professors who will wear out your …, your self, & your whole enterprise, by their self produced frictions. To carry out my plan, you must start anew in the matter of teacher: ignore all pledges, and promises (made by Mr Jewett, and the Trustee) on the ground of … which have arisen and which were not foreseen until your organization of studies brought them to light and select an entirely new set of young men; who will work together, & be wholly under your [president], and be unknown but by reputation & references to the Trustee and presented by you as your choiceand for reasons which you will be prepared to give This is what I suggested in one of the first letter I wrote you last summer on the new system, of which Mr Jewett, has now adopted. It is a … past of that system, if it is to work successfully. You and he may both depend upon me for all the details, if you are prepared to adopt them; and for reasons why the plan should be adopted. I haven’t time now to write any thing more definite, but it is time to make such suggestion. I knew the time would come, and have been expecting it from the first. If you are not yet ready to receive the suggestion, it is because you are not near enough to your June meeting, to see what may appear when too late to remedy it I mean the plotting, and wire pulling, log-rolling, for places, for the friend of the Board of Trustees. The whole matter must be taken entirely out of their hands or everything is gone. Jewett will have to resign in three years, as … way land did at Brown. There is but one way, to carry out your wishes, establish … your ground purposes & defeat all selfish plotters. There must be inaugurated by the will of the Founder, a system of choosing, & managing teachers, which will make you … independent and …. Shall I say more upon the subject Your Truly Char. A. Raymond
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Creator: Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Date: March 28, 1862
Text: Poughkeepsie March 28, 1862 Miss Eliza L May Dear Madam A letter was read by me this Am P.O. date the 26th with address to “Mrs. I. M. Vassar which had been opened by some person and resealed Availing myself of the interference that it was intended for my family, I would briefly remark that Mrs. V’s health is quite futile, has been an invalid for over a year. In the matter of the V. F. College it is in the course of erection and will be open for the reception of Pupils in the summer of 1864....
Show morePoughkeepsie March 28, 1862 Miss Eliza L May Dear Madam A letter was read by me this Am P.O. date the 26th with address to “Mrs. I. M. Vassar which had been opened by some person and resealed Availing myself of the interference that it was intended for my family, I would briefly remark that Mrs. V’s health is quite futile, has been an invalid for over a year. In the matter of the V. F. College it is in the course of erection and will be open for the reception of Pupils in the summer of 1864. The organization contemplates the education of beneficiaries to a limited extent no pupil will be taken under 12 years of age only be special agreement. The terms for paying Pupils will depend the Course of (…) I deeply sympathize in (…) affliction Turst that God will in his own good time render you to accountable health— I very truly be MV
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Creator: Lawton, Emilie S.
Date: December 12, 1862
Text: 1862 Emilie L. Lawton Dubuque Town Decb 12’ wishes to enter as pupilDubuque Dec 12th, 1862 Mr Vassar Sir, Having heard of the nobler institution in progress under your patronage and not knowing of one from whom I could gain information except you, I have taken the liberty to address you. I have long wished to enter a college (my aim being to teach,) and this one pleased me better than any I had heard of. If you are so kind as to answer will you please tell me the terms and qualifications for...
Show more1862 Emilie L. Lawton Dubuque Town Decb 12’ wishes to enter as pupilDubuque Dec 12th, 1862 Mr Vassar Sir, Having heard of the nobler institution in progress under your patronage and not knowing of one from whom I could gain information except you, I have taken the liberty to address you. I have long wished to enter a college (my aim being to teach,) and this one pleased me better than any I had heard of. If you are so kind as to answer will you please tell me the terms and qualifications for admission, and when the year commences. Yours truly Emilie L. Lawton Adress [sic]. Dubuque Iowa Care A. Seclye Esq.
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Creator: Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Date: January 24, 1861
Text: Poughkeepsie, Jan. 24, 1861. Hon. Ira Harris, My dear Sir, You will perceive from a copy of the Charter, herewith accompanying, that you are appointed by the Legislature, one of the Corporators of "Vassar Female College.11 Permit me to express the earnest hope that you will accept the trust, and that you will not only give to the enterprise about to be inaugurated the sanction of your name and reputation, but also your best counsel and active support and co-operation. The first meeting...
Show morePoughkeepsie, Jan. 24, 1861. Hon. Ira Harris, My dear Sir, You will perceive from a copy of the Charter, herewith accompanying, that you are appointed by the Legislature, one of the Corporators of "Vassar Female College.11 Permit me to express the earnest hope that you will accept the trust, and that you will not only give to the enterprise about to be inaugurated the sanction of your name and reputation, but also your best counsel and active support and co-operation. The first meeting of the Trustees will be held at the Gregory House in this city, on Tuesday, the 26th of February, at 10 o'clock, A.M. Immediately on the organization of the Board, I shall place in its hands the Funds and Securities which I have appropriated to the College. At this meeting, measures must be adopted in reference to the custody and management of the College funds; the erection of Buildings; and the improvement of the Grounds. Needful preliminary and prospec- tive arrangements will also be considered in regard to the Organization of the College. Hence, it is of great importance that every Trustee should be present. It is thought that the business may be finished, either in the Board itself, or by reference to appropriate Committees, so that the members 38 Jan. 24, 1861 - 2 may return home the same evening. With sentiments of high consideration, I am Very truly & respectfully, Your obt. svt., M. Vassar 135Poughkeepsie, Jan. 24, 1861. Hon. Ira Harris, My dear Sir, You will perceive from a copy of the Charter, herewith accompanying, that you are appointed by the Legislature, one of the Corporators of "Vassar Female College.11 Permit me to express the earnest hope that you will accept the trust, and that you will not only give to the enterprise about to be inaugurated the sanction of your name and reputation, but also your best counsel and active support and co-operation. The first meeting of the Trustees will be heldat the Gregory House in this city, on Tuesday, the 26th of February, at 10 o'clock, A.M. Immediately on the organization of the Board, I shall place in its hands the Funds and Securities which I have appropriated to the College. At this meeting, measures must be adopted in reference to the custody and management of the College funds; the erection of Buildings; and the improvement of the Grounds. Needful preliminary and prospec- tive arrangements will also be considered in regard to the Organization of the College. Hence, it is of great importance that every Trustee should be present. It is thought that thebusiness may be finished, either in the Board itself, or by reference to appropriate Committees, so that the members may return home the same evening. With sentiments of high consideration, I am Very truly & respectfully, Your obt. svt., M. Vassar
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