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Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
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June 23, 1868
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To the Honorable Board of Trustees of Vassar College Assembled at the Institution June 23rd, 1868 Gentlemen. Some 3 years has now elapsed since the first opening of your College for the admission of Pupils, and the workings, doings & fruits of which it is unneccary[unnecessary] for me to particulise[particularize] as your President, Treasuer[sic], Sectary[Secretary] & Register Reports will be submitted [to] you for examination & afford you all the neccessary[sic] information,...
Show moreTo the Honorable Board of Trustees of Vassar College Assembled at the Institution June 23rd, 1868 Gentlemen. Some 3 years has now elapsed since the first opening of your College for the admission of Pupils, and the workings, doings & fruits of which it is unneccary[unnecessary] for me to particulise[particularize] as your President, Treasuer[sic], Sectary[Secretary] & Register Reports will be submitted [to] you for examination & afford you all the neccessary[sic] information, especialy[sic] that of the Treasuer[sic] from which you will learn the condition of your funds and then be able to decide upon future expenditures outlays etc. I will therefore confine my remarks chiefly to two topics - [vis.] The running yearly expenses of the College, and its receipts, and Incomes, and ask your patient indulgence & attention for the purpose of understanding our true financial condition & ascertaining wether[sic] the College as a whole is sustaining itself or in other words paying its way, and if not, what are the remidy’s[remedies], and what changes can be made to swell or increase its Income.For its seems neccesary[sic] that unless the College can command an Increased buisness[sic] patronage and at avanced[sic] prices for Tuition or the running Expenses reduced a further loan on our property must ineviatebly[inevitably] occur. The present Indebteness[sic] is some $125,000, say $45,000 by Bond & Mortgage and about $35,000 Balance of Floating Debt, yet considering the times through which we have passed with our inexperience in Female Educational College enterprises, it is not very extraordinay[extraordinary] or alarming, being only about 1/5 of the valuation of our property, yet the day will soon come when new outlays will be needed for Furniture & repairs etc and therefore one of two things must happen, either to reduce our outgoes, or advance our Incomes, as it is self evident that the College as a whole is thus far not self sustaining, and it is left to your judgement & discretion to apply the remidy’s[remedies] From past experience & observation it is very certain that an Institution like “Vassar College cannot be succesfully[sic] long conducted on the principle of pure voluntary services, however ably & liberally confered[sic] in the beginning, experience has proved, that continued monotomy[monotony] renders these services in time inconvienant[sic] and often irksome resulting in the nonattendance to the meeting of the Boards, and as a consequence a want of information of its internal workings, only partialy[sic] discharged, I would therefore recommend the appointment of a midde[sic] man & paid officer in or out of the officialty[sic] of the College, whose special duties it should be to fill up such business delinquencys[sic] deficientcys[deficiencies] and to superintend all other buisness[sic] matters which the official committes[sic] cannot, or do not discharge, but subject of course to thier[sic] instructions, & that officer be paid for his services, and there[their] duties should be to attend to all maters of an litterary[sic] character, [vis], to Invite public Lectures, Report thier[sic] addresses, orso much of them as the Executive Committe[sic] may approve and direct, to be published in such Journals of the day as they may advise. Also to Invite the different denominational Clergymen of Po’Keepsie etc to Preach in the College Chapel with permission to publish such discourses or portions thereof & pay if necceasy[necessary] a reasonable compensation for such sermons or addresses, as may be calculated to promote the interest & reputation of the College. That some such gentlemen officer might also be appointed the Librarian, and attend to all matters not delegated to other officials, # to be known as the Reporter of the College.I next in order call your attention to the Astronomical Department, and ask wether[sic] that is self sustaining or doing the amount of work as at first anticipated, if not, how it can be invigorated and made more useful, and wether[sic] the present incumbent Miss Mitchell could not aid in other instructive departments without inconvienance[sic], but if not, I am nevertheless persuaded that her services had best be retained. Her reputation as an astromer[astronomer] alone is worth to your College all you pay her & her Father, besides the College has already had some large draught on its Litterary[sic] Capitol and any further disbursements in that line may materialy[sic] effect its Interest, as we have no surplus interlectual[sic] popularity to spare. besides it is worthy of consideration wether[sic] the application of the ancient Motto would not apply to us, to wit “He that is not for us is against us.”I would also remark, that whereas your Treasuer[sic] has often intimated his wish to be relieved from a part at least of so close attention to the labors of his office thus far so grattuitious[gratuitous] bestowed, and the Executive Committe[sic] considering the reasonableness of his request immediatially[immediately] provided for his relief by the appointment of a Treasuer[sic] pro. tem John N. Schon as his assistant, and now I do hope that he will reconsider such determination especialy[sic] in view of his uncle’s, the Founder’s, advanced age & physical inabilities to render any material aid to your Institution. I would further call your attention to the consideration and policy of taking Pupils applying for admission to the College from the City and vicinity of Poughkeepsie living with their Parents or Boarding with thier[sic] Friends to be taken from the College and returned to thier[sic] respective homes Daily, by the College conveyances etc I would note more refer you to the subject which I have heretofore alluded, [vis] The erection of a low Glas[sic] structure for Hot Bed orHouse, East off and Midway of the College Building for the purpose of the culture of Exotic & Botannical[sic] Plants & finest specimens of Florals for the purpose of Instruction to such of the Pupils requiring the same & studying Botany etc. A simple Glas[sic] structure ordinarily termed a hot Bed could be erected at comparative small expense and kept at a proper temparature[sic] by the waste heat of the Tunnel leading from the Steam & Gass[sic] houses to the College, which I am authorised to say can be Leased to responsable[sic] partys[sic] @ 10 per cent on its cost.The Ladies of the College are expending much money and time going to and from the College to procure from other Gardeners & Florist these decorative and Instructive specimens in the Floral Art costing at least $1500 yearly. I would therefore reccommend[sic] the erection the present summer this Hot House. While speaking on the subject of Improvements we have the gratifying evidence of a benevolent Interest being manifested in our College Cabinet of Natural History, especialy[sic] in that on Ornithology. The room set apart to receive the Gifts by our friend and Benefactor Mr. Giraud, is already crowded while his liberaltiy[sic] seems unabated, therefore it would be well to take into early consideration how and in what manner other apartments for Cabinets of Zoology, and Ornithology, may be contructed[constructed] and here I would observe that instead of erecting a separate Building for them, wether it would not be better to take one wing of the College for this purpose now occupied by the Professors, and make or convert thier[sic] apartments into Cabinet Halls, Lecture Rooms etc, andBuild two independant[sic] Professor houses on the new College Avenue proposed to be opened opposite the Gate Lodge I accompany these suggestions with a Draught of such avenue with a ketch[sketch] of the Cottages which you will please to examine. Altho’[although] I may be somewhat deviating from my purpose suggested at the opening of these remarks, I would nevertheless briefly call your attention to one more subject which I regard quite important, and which has occasioned me much thought & anxiety. You remember Gentlemen, that at the commencement of the College Enterprise I addressed to you several reasons why I located and selected its cite[site] so distant from the city, and one of the reasons I mentioned at the time was for its Retirement & quietude, but this quietude is now likely to be disturbed unless some action is taken by you soon to prevent it, I rifer to the continuation of the new Avenue now in process of opening by other partys[sic]
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Creator
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Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
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Date
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June 23, 1868
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Text
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To the Honorable Board of Trustees of Vassar College Assembled at the Institution June 25th 1868. Gentlemen. Some 3 years has now elapsed since the first opening of your College for the admission of Pupils, and the workings, doings & fruits of which it is unneccary[unnecessary] for me to particulise as your President, Treauser[sic], Sectary[Secretary] & Register Reports will be submitted you for examination & afford you all the neccessary[sic] information, especialy[sic] that of...
Show moreTo the Honorable Board of Trustees of Vassar College Assembled at the Institution June 25th 1868. Gentlemen. Some 3 years has now elapsed since the first opening of your College for the admission of Pupils, and the workings, doings & fruits of which it is unneccary[unnecessary] for me to particulise as your President, Treauser[sic], Sectary[Secretary] & Register Reports will be submitted you for examination & afford you all the neccessary[sic] information, especialy[sic] that of the Treasuer[sic] from which you will learn the condition of your fund, and then be able to decide upon future expenditures outlays etc. I will therefore confine my remarks chiefly to two topics. in The running yearly expenses of the College, and its receipts, and Incomes, and ask your patient indulgence & attention for the purpose of understanding our true financial condition & ascertaining wether[sic] the College as a whole is sustaining itself or in other words paying its way, and if not, what are the remidy’s[remedies], and what changes can be much to swell or increase its Income.For its seems necccesary[sic] that unless the College can command on Increased buisness patronage and at avanced[sic] prices for Tuition or the running Expenses reduced a further loan on our property must ineviatably[sic] occur. The present indebteness[sic] is some $125,000 - say $45,000 by Band & Mortgage and about $35,000 Ballance[sic] of Floating Debt, yet considering the times through which we have passed with our inexperience in Female Educational College enterprises, it is not very extraordinary or alarming, being only about 1/5 of the valuation of our property, yet the day will soon come when new outlays will be needed for Furniture & repairs etc and therefore one of two things must happen, either to reduce our outgoes, or advance our Incomes, as it is self evident that the College as a whole is thus for not self sustaining, and it is left to your judgement & discretion to apply the remidy’s[remedies] From past experience & observation it is very certain that an Institution like “Vassar College” cannot be successfully long conducted on the principle of pure voluntary services, however ably & liberally confered[sic] in the beginning, experience has proved that continued monotomy [sic] renders these services in time inconvienent[sic] and often irksome resulting in the nonattendance to the meeting, of the Boards, and as a consequence a want of information of its internal workings, only partially discharged, I would therefore reccommend[sic] the appointment of a middle man & paid officer in or out of the officialty of the College whose special duties it should be to fill up such buisness[sic] delinquencys[sic] deficientcys[sic] and to superintend all other buisness[sic] matters which the official committee cannot, or do not discharge, but subject of course to thier[sic] instructions, & that officer be paid for his services, and these duties should be to attend to all matters of unlittering character in, to Invite humble Lectures, Report thier[sic] addresses, orso much of them as the Executive Committe[sic] may approve and direct, to be published in such Journals of the day as they may advise. Also to Invite the different denominational Clergymen of Po’Keepsie[Poughkeepsie] to Preach in the College Chapel with permission to publish such discourses or portions thereof & pay if necceasy[necessary] a reasonable compensation for such sermons or addresses, as may be calculated to promote the interest & reputation of the College. That some such gentlemen officer might also be appointed the Librarian, and attend to all mailing not delegated to other officials, to be known as the Reporter of the College.I would next in order call your attention to the Astronomical Department and ask wether[sic] that is self sustaining or doing the amount of work as first anticipated, if not, how it can be invigorated and made more useful, and wether the present incumbent Miss Mitchell could not aid in other instructive departments without inconvience[inconvenience], but if not, I am nevertheless persuaded that her services had best be retained. Her reputation as an Astromer[astronomer] alone is worth to your College all you pay for her & her Father, besides the College has already had some large draughts on its Litterary[sic] Capitol, and any further disbursements in that line may materialy[sic] effect[affect] interest, as we have no surplus interlectual[intellectual] popularity to spare. Besides it is worthy of consideration wether[sic] the application of the ancient motto would not apply to us to wit “He that is not for us is against us.”I would also remark that whereas your Treasuer[sic] has often intimated his wish to be relieved from a port at least of so close attention to the labors of his office thus far so grattuitusly[sic] bestowed, and the Executive Committe[sic] considering the reasonableness of his request immediatially[immediately] provided for his relief by the appointment of a Treasurer pro team John N. Schon as his assistant, and now I do hope that he will reconsider such determination especialy[sic] in view of his uncle, the Founder’s, advanced age, & physical inabilities to render any material aid to your Institution.I would further call your attention to the consideration and policy of taking Pupils applying for admission to the College froth city and vicinity of Poughkeepsie living with their Parents or Boarding with thier[sic] Friends to be taken from the College and returned to thier[sic] respective homes Daily or by the College conveyance etc. I would once more refer you to the subject which I have heretofore alluded, sir. The erection of a low Glas[sic] structure for a Hot-Bed or House, East off[of] and midway of the College Building for the purpose of the culture of Exotic & Botanical Plants & finest specimens of Florals for the purpose of Instruction such of the Pupils requiring the same & studying Botany etc. A simple Glas[sic] structure ordinarilly[sic] termed a hot Bed could be erected at camparative small expense and kept at a proper temparature[sic] by the waste heat of the Tunnel leading from the Steam & Gass houses to the College, which I am authorized to say can be Leased to responsible parties @ 10 per cent of its cost. The Ladies of the College are expending much money and time going to and from the College to procure from other Gardeners & Florist the redecoration and Instructive specimen in the floral Art costing at least $1500 yearly & would therefore reccommend[sic] the erection the present summer this Hot House. While speaking in the subject of Improvements We have the gratifying evidence of a benevolent interest being manipulated in our College Cabinets of natural History, especialy[sic] in that on Ornithology. The room set apart to receive the Gifts by our friend and Benefactor Mr. gird, is already crowded, while his liberaltiy[sic] seems unabated, therefore it would be well to take into early consideration how and in what manner other apartment for Cabinets of zoology, and Ornithology, may be contracted adhere I would observe that instead of erecting a seperate[sic] Building for them, wether[sic] it would not be better take one wing of the College for this purpose now occupied by the Professors, and make or convert thier[sic] apartments into Cabinet Halls, Lecture Rooms etc, andBuild two independant[sic] Professor houses on the new College Avenue proposed to be opened opposite the Gate Lodge. I accompany these suggestions with a Draught of such avenue with a Ketch[sketch] of the Cottages which you will be please to examine. Altho’ I may be somewhat deviating from my purpose suggested at the opening of these remarks, I would nevertheless briefly call your attention to one more subject which I regard quite important, and which has occasioned me much thought & anxiety. You remember Gentlemen, that at the commencement of the College Enterprise I addressed to you several reasons why I located and selected its cite[site] so distant from the city, and one of the reasons I mentioned at the time was for its retirement & quietude, but this quietude is now likely to be disturbed under some action is taken by you soon. To prevent it, I refer to the continuation of the new Avenue now in process of opening by other partys[sic]throught[sic] the North side of the College Grounds, west of the Filkins Road, and which Avenue is far advanced, and the Partys[sic] are only waiting the legal sanction of the Town Commissioners to continue it in a strait[sic] Line Eastward, crossing the Filkins Road aforesaid without ultimate intention of running it to Manchester. This project would cut off a portion of your ?Lands and particular the hight[high] Hill or Rock Bluff were[where] I purposed other improvements for the use of the College, but should thier[sic] Road be laid throught[sic] on the South side of the Hill or Rock Bluff, would defeat this object. However, Gentlemen, this is a matter for your consideration, and I leave it in your hands. I renew Gentlemen my wishes heretofore intimated & expressed about the erection of a Building upon some convienant[sic] part of the College Grounds for the purpose of Instructing Pupils attending College where Parents or thier[sic] Guardians desire & approve of the same an Importation of a thorough Knowledge of Domestic Economy, and that provisions be made in the Edifice with all the modern apparatus for the full instruction of that science, so that the pupils may not only be prepared Theoretically, but Practically, and thus be qualified to gaurd[sic] against imposition so often practic’d upon novice Housekeepers by servants in thier[sic] Employ. I consider Gentlemen this Knowledge one of the most important for your pupils to posses, and its truthfullness[sic] will be so verefied[sic] and regarded in due time. I therefore, repeat my earnest wishes that suitable structure may be erected or other arrangement, made as part of the curriculum of the College to such of the Pupils Through their Parents as may desire it. One more topic which I would wish to call your attention and upon which I would offer a few suggestions. That is to establish a regular system of Education for Women, peculiarly adapted to the fitness or wants of Woman life, similar to those in the universities for Young Men, and appoint a Committe[sic] of Lady’s[Ladies] whose duty it should be to to organise & define the course of Education for women, and I have thought the suggestion would be best carried out by inviting experienced well known Lady Educators outside of the College, to coopperate[sic] with the experience which your Faculty must have attained by this time, and thus establish a regular Curriculium[sic] Course for the future, which would be Known as having emanated from “Vassar College” and do but Repeat my wishes of 1865. But Gentlemen I do not pretend to understand much about Classical Education and only offer these brief suggestions, as suggestions to your more elaborate consideration, and hope you will give them such attention as you may think the subject demands, for your future but not present action for it is quite certain that if we only follow on inthe old beaten paths, we make no progress, we do more than others have done before us, we are only copyist and not progressionist, my motto is progress. Lastly Gentlemen, I would suggest for your early consideration the expedientcy of establishing a more frequent & reguliar[sic] communication to and from the College than at present exist, and with Lighter Carriages similiar[sic] those running on the Hyde Park Road, and to be entirely under your own control, such an arrangement can be economicaly[sic] made with Baron Von Seldenick, he having Horses, and some light conveying stabling etc already and would be a great convienance[sic] & saving to all visiting or going to the College. The Baron will report to you more particular about details etc And now Gentlemen in closing these remarks I would humbly & solemly[sic] implore the Divine Goodness to continue his smiles & favors on your Institution and bestow upon all hearts connected therewith his love & blessings, having peculiarly protected us by his Providence through all our College trials for Three consecutive years without a single death in our Board, or serious illness or death of our Pupils within its Walls. Wishing you Gentlemen a continuance of health & happiness I bid you a cordial and final farewell, thanking you kindly for your official attention and services not expecting from my advanced years and increasing infirmities to meet with you officialy[sic] again & imploring the Divine goodness to guide and direct you aright in all your counsells[sic], and social buisness[sic] diliberations[sic]. Yours truly etc etc M. VassarM. Vassar Address Read in Board of Trustees by M. Vassar [passing] to the middle of the 11th page June 23 1868 at 11.30 o clock Concluded after his death & on the same day by the secretary C. Swan Sec[retary]
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Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
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Date
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June 11, 1868
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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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Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
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Date
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June 8, 1868
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Poughkeepsie June 8th 1868. J. P. Giraud TunF EsqF My very dear Friend, I address you thus not without good cause, for if any person is entitled to this eulogy shurely, it is my friend Mr Giraud, and this mornings light disclosed to me further testimony3 of your friendship and kindness and discerning forecast in making secure your future purposes & intentions to add to your already generosity another evidence of your good will that you entertain for "Vassar College" &c.# I...
Show morePoughkeepsie June 8th 1868. J. P. Giraud TunF EsqF My very dear Friend, I address you thus not without good cause, for if any person is entitled to this eulogy shurely, it is my friend Mr Giraud, and this mornings light disclosed to me further testimony3 of your friendship and kindness and discerning forecast in making secure your future purposes & intentions to add to your already generosity another evidence of your good will that you entertain for "Vassar College" &c.# I have not the power of language to express the inward feeling I entertain for your good works for our Institution--they contrast so widely from any precedents by any individual connected with the Founder at any period of the Enterprise. During the darkest days & foreboding of the late War, when our as setts were dwindling down to half their par value, our Contractors failing, and new measure3 adopted at enormous cost to carry forward the building, and having at that time already given to the College about 2/3 ds 0f my whole estate, and the great work still unfinished, left me no alternative, but to stop or go forwards, I resolved on the latter, sink or swim, and an all wise good Providence has signified his approbation by his continued blessings upon the Enterprise, and it is a remarkable fact that this decission has been overruled to make you Mr. Girauld the first among the many professional friends to demonstrate a practical testimony of this fact. The full developement of the enterprise is not by any means yet rnarkr out, or completed, nor will it be untill there is a special Gallery of Science & Art for the respective Donors & contributors erected or pro- vided for in the buildings on a larger scale, and I have great pleasure to know that the name "Giraud" will stand first and foremost on that honor- able List. You will excuse me my dear Sir in not calling to see you, but health does not admitt of much fatague but I intend to call and see you and your wife soon, and thank you both for your generous gifts & purposes &c, I remain dear Sir, Yours truly Ike M. Vassar# Refering to your last Letter to MVJunr P,S, Mrs Vassar having just entered my office and learning that I were writing you wish** particularly to be remember^ to you & Mrs Giraud. M.V
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Swan, Cyrus
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Date
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May 6, 1868
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[…] May 6 1868 Mr M Vassar Dear Sir- It has just occurred to me that possibly you might prefer to sell the two houses-the one where I live & the one adjoining. Should you be willing to sell these to me I would be pleased to know your price. They ought to be owned by the same person situated as they are & the one in which I live needs a good deal of expense upon it. The fact that two of my children were born there, & that I have so long expected to pass my days there, make me...
Show more[…] May 6 1868 Mr M Vassar Dear Sir- It has just occurred to me that possibly you might prefer to sell the two houses-the one where I live & the one adjoining. Should you be willing to sell these to me I would be pleased to know your price. They ought to be owned by the same person situated as they are & the one in which I live needs a good deal of expense upon it. The fact that two of my children were born there, & that I have so long expected to pass my days there, make me deserves of owning these if I can in any way afford it. Respectfully yours C. Swan
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Swan, Cyrus
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May 2, 1868
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1. … May 2 1868 Mr. Matthew Vassar Senior Dear sir your 76 birthday has now passed & I hope pleasantly & … to you. I was unwilling to take any risk of marring your enjoyment of that day, & therefore deferred writing a word in regard to you of … 10~ until now. Your assurance in that note "that you have had occasion personally to withdraw your confidence" from me, is of course ample as regards yourself, & yet your letter throughout, leaves the impression that something...
Show more1. … May 2 1868 Mr. Matthew Vassar Senior Dear sir your 76 birthday has now passed & I hope pleasantly & … to you. I was unwilling to take any risk of marring your enjoyment of that day, & therefore deferred writing a word in regard to you of … 10~ until now. Your assurance in that note "that you have had occasion personally to withdraw your confidence" from me, is of course ample as regards yourself, & yet your letter throughout, leaves the impression that something is wrong somewhere. I cannot help but notice that since one man has so diligently counted your … … a year or two, & assumed such overshadowing, & as I believe injurious, influence in all affairs teaching the college, that there seems to be a coolness between us, & a general tone of uneasiness & suspicion everywhere. If he has not poisoned your sentiments toward me, it is because he could not or dared not and there are few things he would not dare, & would not attempt, to carry through his intense desire to elevate himself over you, and over the college. I must add what I most throughly believe-it is that, that man's influence is disastrous in both directions. So shadow ever fell upon your college work, so baneful, so unpopular, so hated, as his. I speak from facts, and I appeal to more than twenty years of your confidence, during which I never deceived you, during which I have fought your battles, sometimes almost alone, for the truth of what I tell you. More-upon the faith of [more] years of our intimacy, I [tell] you what I was never more ready to do my full duty toward you, & toward the college, than the past year. I have done … fully, all I have been called upon or allowed to do. My crime has heretofore been, if any, that I did too much, & was too much your friend. How, if there be any crime, it is that I do too little. The power to art, the opportunity to art, in … from me on purpose to open the way to prejudiceme [with] you. If he has succeeded in poisoning you toward me, he has not succeeded in doing it at the college, he is known there as I know him and as he is-as a [harsh] and … … as well as user & abuser of power. That such a man, could come in prejudice a confidence so long, so tried, so entirely … as mine has been to you, is the keenest blow which has ever struck me, and has for the [present] undermined my health & unfitted me for my pursuit. If he has, these have I been too confident in my own integrity, and in my faith on you. I feel, Mr Vassar, that I have sacrificed my business, the best year of my life, & now my health for you and the college-for the college mainly on your account. Not for …-because no man has money enough to make me his friend=nor to here me to do much that I have done for you-some most trying … of it without any pretense of {Ray{-and yet, I could not have done, no father could have done what I have in that respect, without the assurance that there dependent on me should have … are education. I ... on you for that [write] the most absolute confidence, because of your promises, & because it did not seem possible in the nature of things, that you could die satisfied without it. During all these past years no man or men could have made me believe what seems now to have transpired. What a keen & horrible disappointment it is to me no one can ever know. It haunts poisons every unoccupied moment of my life, I find it on my pillow when I lie there, and it is there always when I awake. But poor as I am, it is not the pecuniary loss to my family, that bites me with the sharpest …-it stabs my faith in all human friendship & profession. It mortifies me before a whole community, who know with what absolute & unyielding devotion, I have stood for you in every event, for more than twenty years. When your will is read, and I am not there as one of your confidential managers, whom you trusted to the last, it will appear that management & …, or something worse, have triumphed over a lifetime of friendship & absolute devotion. I have availed to hear of the intention & 2 promises & reliance of years. And now, Mr Vassar, I have to bet you to inform me what are those things you have "learned" or observed, "indicating of late a want of friendship usually manifested by me to you". As man or woman living can … you me thing, without falsehood, indicating any lack of what friendship on my part. and I am utterly at a loss to know what you can have observed which indicates it. We have not met as after perhaps, but have I ever to this day failed to see or aid you when your slightest hint or solicitation, Have I left one thing undone which … on me to do. I could not even, nor can I now, force myself upon you. I have no … … to …, & no bitterness to avenge on others, through you, or at your expense. You are as free as ever, so far as Ii am concerned, to select your intimates & your adviseers. If I am no longer one, it is without my fault, I have felt what if you ...I satisfied I could not interfere, & yet fell myself a man. You knew I never failed you, I felt that if you no longer leaned upon me, it must be because you no longer felt the need of me. But in spite of all, second only to you that college is my child. I stood by it, & you when not one of those who surround you most was its friend. I shall be lost to every impulse & conviction pledge of my life, when I am false or indifferent to it. If you live & I live a little longer, you will see who are most its friends & yours, & you will wonder how you ever entertained a doubt. Perhaps I am to anxious- but … I guilty …, its truest friends & yours, regard its present aspects as perilous. It is not … your best conceptions, nor the highest hopes of there who know it best- and this is due to one overshadowing cause, which sooner or later will surely be removed. Though … the fault is not mine, nor is it now my fault that I have not done my duty, is awakening your attention. I must however leave the subject somewhere and it may as well he here. I do it with the strangest horrible denial of every … of indifference on my [past], to the greatest work of your life, but it come from where it may. I strive most earnestly to possess myself while I await events which cannot in any way be worse for me than they are already. If I could give you one ... omniscience I could be altogether content. I am respectfully & anxiously Yours C. Swan
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Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
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Date
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May 1, 1868
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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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Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
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Date
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April 28, 1868
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Tuesday Morning April 28th 1868. My dear Miss Powell I received last evening by the hands of a col. Boy your note of yesterday' date, and were glad to hear that you and all the other Young ladies of the College were pleased with Miss Dickinson Lec- ture last evening# and before I had passed the Gate-Lodge after leaving the Observatory I was sorry we had not remained to hear the Lecture,— en notwithstanding my deafness, as her addres & manners I could have dis-cerned and after all...
Show moreTuesday Morning April 28th 1868. My dear Miss Powell I received last evening by the hands of a col. Boy your note of yesterday' date, and were glad to hear that you and all the other Young ladies of the College were pleased with Miss Dickinson Lec- ture last evening# and before I had passed the Gate-Lodge after leaving the Observatory I was sorry we had not remained to hear the Lecture,— en notwithstanding my deafness, as her addres & manners I could have dis-cerned and after all that goes far with our sex. The subject of "Womans Suffrage" or "Idiot and Women", was correctly quoted from the Laws granting the right of them to the ballot Box, and when I first read the Law some ears ago I was equaly supprised to find our Fair Sex placed in so shamefull category as "criminals, paupers, Idiots &c," which if the Law was right by this classification I think it is full time that my 300 Daughters at "Vassar" Knew it, and applied the remidy. The truth is it is all nonsense and irreconcilible with Divine truth in regard to the Mental Capacity of Woman, nothing but long prejudices with the dominering spirit of Man has Kept woman from occupying a higher eleva- tion in literature & art, "but mens tyrany & jelousy, and wilfull usurpation of her normal arights &c. Excuse these hasty writtin remarks with many interruptions while waiting for my Carrage to go to the College Yours very truly &c ML. Vassar
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Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
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Date
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April 10, 1868
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Vassar College. Ponghkeepsie, N.Y., April 10-th, 1868 Mr. Cyrus Swan Dear Sir. I have your duplicate letter sheets dated the 4th current, and at my first reading I thought to consign them were they in some respects properly belonged to the flames, but on the other hand in reading them over the second time I discovered here and there a kernal of wheat so submitting them to a winnowing pro- chess. I separated the "chaff" to find the substance, and now allow me first to examine it for...
Show moreVassar College. Ponghkeepsie, N.Y., April 10-th, 1868 Mr. Cyrus Swan Dear Sir. I have your duplicate letter sheets dated the 4th current, and at my first reading I thought to consign them were they in some respects properly belonged to the flames, but on the other hand in reading them over the second time I discovered here and there a kernal of wheat so submitting them to a winnowing pro- chess. I separated the "chaff" to find the substance, and now allow me first to examine it for I soberly think that your mental vision has blunted your understanding & Judgement and withered your sober Facultys, for you insist that there been "apparent coolness of attitude in me toward you for some time past" that you have "observed changes in my manner" he and you "want to know why all this"-- 1 have only to repeat what I said in my last letter, that this seeming coolness on my part lies at the door of your own distorted vision, & may I not also say, that this kind of despondency often renders our judgment incorrect, have I not seen you & your family pass my door for months without calling or even looking up at my house, but yet you add, I don't pay by calling you or on your family (as usual) true, nor have I called on any relative during the same period, for the best of reasons, it is with difficulty I can get in or get out of Carrage & walking is out of the Question and if you had call** and seen me during the last 5/o 6 weeks confine- ment to my house either my Doctor or myself would have explained the cause, I am sorry that a mans physical infirmities should inure to his own wrong doing, &c. Now with regard to our business connexion, allow me to state, that it is the first time in my life that I ever knew a mans contemplated failure of a voluntairey charity to a friend could he made available to his own con- demnation & dishonor, even if it were not fulfilled,~ or peril his char- acter to "honorable obligation11 as a "breach of faith" What do you mean MfS. by saying that "promises upon the strength of which you had rendered me "services" of a Nature you had never consented to render to another of which money in hand would be no adequate equi- valent" fkc This is extraordinary language and I do not understand your meaning,— Will you please to name these "services,"- In looking over the several discharges by voucher & other evidences for services rendered of all kinds xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx & signed by you I find they cover all professional as well as private dealings between us, up to a very late & professional period, amounting to several thousand dollars, since that time your professional ser- vices has been with other parties & not me, and then show a large Bill for services &c " You say "you have given me the best thought & hardest labors of your life11 relying with confidence amounting to certainty T,that you had provided & was in that in that way repaying me &c", but Mr Swan you have omited to state the many favors I had bestowed on you pecuniarily during your voyage & visit with me to Euprop in 1845 and on subsequent pleasureable excusions &c. What I had reference to in my last note of "standing by the College" through every immer- gency was simply this, that the College interest was my first interest, all other interest of every nature waa subordinate and if any thing should happen in my pecuniary affairs so that I could not carry out all with the College my plans & desires to my relatives & friends, the College would take the preference—thats all. Now how far these provisions which I have made can or will be carried out, must depend on contingencies* First, the ballance of the available funds xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx I may have at the day of my Decease, second the amount of the "free time will offerings" of nay family connexions on that day^ thirdly, the needs of further advances to the College, all these things must be kept in the mind wether ray reputation as the Founder "of College" floats down with me him side by side or not 1 jcbssba AteifM.-ejAj1 s^uauiaq.-Bi.s asaq:). jo xiq.njcq. 31$. oq. sb ^.tiasajcd aaaq:}. saaq.sna:x && jo Aub ^sb 'piajA o% pa-S-f[qo sbav I naqAV noA ^sxirieS^ sxhrpxaaj ©gueqxq: qqxfti apmxi saxfomp :j.san.rea jo poojj *e Aq paurnaAu:aAo ni*un Sxxiq.aaixi $-ex$ ^"B noA Aq p 004.5 pip J pjBog; q.mft jo s-b ^odaj: jjAa ^ pooS q§noj:q^. puaxjcj is Aq ptns^s pinoa xo ptp xaAa tibui on q/eqi- (pjnsog; aa^sn^x aq^. jo Sixx^aatxx %s*ej aqq. jo sxfrrjop aq^. oq. xajajc j pire) noA oq. A^s ara ^.aj -lau^I siqq. asojo o^ hbavx; jq^j * - 898T '01 ,J[dV
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Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
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Date
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April 10, 1868
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Vassar College. Poughkeepsie, N.Y., April lQ*k , 1868 Mr Cyrus Swan Dear Sir I duly received your note of the 4th current & avail myself of the earliest moment from other hindrances to reply. In the first paragrap of your letter you ask01 wether my feel- ings & intentions have undergone any variation &c nand if so the cause of the change" I answer they have somewhat and the "cause" is because I had infered from your late coolness and uncordiality from your former...
Show moreVassar College. Poughkeepsie, N.Y., April lQ*k , 1868 Mr Cyrus Swan Dear Sir I duly received your note of the 4th current & avail myself of the earliest moment from other hindrances to reply. In the first paragrap of your letter you ask01 wether my feel- ings & intentions have undergone any variation &c nand if so the cause of the change" I answer they have somewhat and the "cause" is because I had infered from your late coolness and uncordiality from your former accustomed manners were changed towards me, seeing you pass my house frequently and never so much as gave a casting look at the premises, and further never calling on me or that of your family for months together. I thought I was sufficiently explicit in my last letter to you in assuring you that nothing had occured or tran- spired to change our long "relations to each other" so far as I were concerned, and therefore I had no occasion personaly to withdraw my confidence of your abillities in the matter of the management of the College affairs. I acknowledge our long intimate social relation and for what you have done pecuniarly &c for me, and I in return for you during that period. Refering to another portion of your letter in speaking of the change in my testamentary Will, and asking me wether I had made any 1 'change1« I thought I was sufficiently explicit on that point in my last note, but nevertheless to be more so now I reply that some not changes of my gift to you has been made but/to an extant effecting the Education of two of your Daughters at the College, and that dona- tion alone is more than Quadruple** over any othe bequest in my Will to any other legacys in that instrument save the College, and here comes in my regretts attended to in my note to you, that circum- stances had compell^ OTe to make a change in this regard, and in so doing an alteration was neccary to make a change of my bequest to you as well as other devisees, but still my Gift to you and your family entirely exceeded in amount any other Devise, It would be delicate & propriety however in me to explain in particulars even if justice demanded it. You say I will readly remember your "services rendered to me in some critical exigences &c" I do and I also readly remember the pecuniary & sociable compensation I made you in return for them, and am quite ready to compare notes with you on that score, I am not aware Mr Swan but I have amply remunerated you for all you have ever done for me, & so far the "honors" are easy" I know nothing about what "others" have ask^you about our private affairs, nor what you have replyd to them about these relations, all I know I have performed fully my duty towards you, and I do trust I may always be able not only to you but to all others with whom I have business or social rela- tions with, of course Mr Swan you cannot expect me with my \A|\X physical infirmities to answer your long letter in detail nor would it were I be any profit to me or youAto do so, therefore I close this note by subscribing myself Yours very Respectfully MV
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Creator
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Swan, Cyrus
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Date
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April 4, 1868
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1. Poughkeepsie April 4, 1868 Mr. M Vassar, Dear Sir, Yours of the 31st ult. did not reach me at once on account of a temporary absence. For the promptness of the reply I am obliged to you, as also for all the information your letter contains. The object of my letter of the 39th March was to ascertain whether your personal feelings & intentions toward me had undergone any variation, and if they had to learn the cause of any change assuming that no slight occasion could cause or justify...
Show more1. Poughkeepsie April 4, 1868 Mr. M Vassar, Dear Sir, Yours of the 31st ult. did not reach me at once on account of a temporary absence. For the promptness of the reply I am obliged to you, as also for all the information your letter contains. The object of my letter of the 39th March was to ascertain whether your personal feelings & intentions toward me had undergone any variation, and if they had to learn the cause of any change assuming that no slight occasion could cause or justify any. Though you are not quite as explicit in some respects as I had hoped, you do assure me that nothing has transpired to change our long relations to each other- certainly on your part. Let me add that I am not conscious of having given any cause- no enemy of mine or yours can say I have. I have hitherto, through everything, continued to occupy the same position toward youpersonally as during all these years while you and I were bearing the weight of the College enterprise on our shoulders almost unsupported by other aid & against numerous abstates. For have I now changed my position toward the College. You know & others know, indeed it is history, that for a long time, & in some most trying emergencies you were compelled to only almost doubly upon me & that I never failed you nor the College- never, down to the moment on which I unite. On my part therefore I say, I have given no occasion for any withdrawal of your confidence or any change in your intuitions & promises toward me- I have always treated you & your wishes with the utmost consideration and deference. That there has been some apparent coolness of attitude on your part toward one your letter states without expressing the cause- which I regret. As you say this coolness is equally true of me, let me add that I have seemed to observe some change in your manner, & I could not therefore own the risk of forcing myself when you without knowing certainly what your feelings might be-and one object of this correspondence has been to ascertain that very fast. Our relations have been so exceeding intimate & cordial that any want of confusion from you is a marked change & I have assumed must necessarily have grown out of time marked cause. Why then if there be no cause whened there be any apparent coolness. What I desire is to know the whole statement so that we may not occupy any uncertain attitude toward each other or be compelled to indulge any conjecture or surmise whatsoever. As to your intentions toward me which formed a substantial part of the enquiry in my former letter you speak of some change in your will in regard to the “freehold I occupy” without stating what that change is. May I ask that you will give me that statement. You misapprehend my intention, Mr. Vassar, if you read my letter as charging that your faith or promise or pledge to me had been broken. That letter was on of enquiry & assumed that they had not been broken & ought not reward not to be except when very sufficient & grave causeI hope now that the change in your will to which you allude, is not such as one as would justify the imputation of a breach of faith or promise to me. Exactly what details your letter regrets my not giving you I do not know or I would certainly give them. There certainly can never be any question between us nor any doubt on your mind upon the subject of some of these promises. You will readily remember that in consideration of services I have rendered you in some most critical exigencies involving reputation as well as money, and also as I believed from friendly regard. You a number of years ago promised to give me the house & (…) in which I live & make me on of your executors. That for years as after as you revisit your will you made that provision in my farm in your will, spoke to me of it while I was rendering your personal and private as well as more public service as some ultimate reward for any sacrifice I was called upon to make, spoke of it to others down to a very (…) period as a thing due me & as a fixed fact. Promises, Mr Vassar, upon which I have added & (…)2 just a s confidently as if I had the deed in my hand. Promises resting upon which I have made sacrifices in your interest which I could not offend down to a very recent period- sacrifices from which I am suffering today- promises upon the straight of which I have rendered you services on some occasions of such a nature as I have never consented to render another for which money in my hand would have been no adequate equivalent. You will also remember that within a few years past in making your wills you have provided there for the expense of educating my ten daughters freely in the College as your wards. These were your own offers & your own action without the departed solicitation from me. You put it upon the ground that it was originally due me from you & as the least you could do. You were repeatedly so kind as to offer to make some personal provision for or bequest to me which I always declined because I did not wish to seem to myself or others as aiming at any personal pecuniary object in my relations with you. There seemed a widedistinction to me between accepting from you a shelter & education for my family & any bequest for myself- the house & the education seemed to be honorable to you as well as myself & as in all respects due proper between us. The Executionship was both a pecuniary benefit to me & a high expression of your regard & in both these aspects a gratifying act. How far these provisions rest in your will as present I beg you to inform me, and if they have been changed I ask the cause. My apparent coolness between us occasions remark- a withdrawal of your confidence or a change in your intuition will leave ground for imputations upon me or both of us which will be very embarrassing. And beside that, there is unsolved an anxiety on my part which already undermines my health & renders me in a great degree incapable of necessary labor. Why should it not- I have given you the best thought & the hardest labor of the best of my life relying with a confidence amounting to certainly that I had promised, & was in that way repaying you for a home for my family & an education for my daughters- twoof the most important objects for which a man can live & which you were giving me in your will. Your determination to stand by the College I am glad to see unwavering. I pray it may be (…) become all that either of us ever desired. This determination has always existed so far as I am aware, equally as strong always while you have made provisions I speak of for my family- provisions some of them older indeed that the College but renewed often since its inception. But can the College be aided by any withdrawal of an honorable obbjection. If not a legal one, to others or by any breach of faith which will not humor you. Your memory will be judged of by your acts & no one having the character & intents of the College or your own (…)at heart will believe these can be promoted at the expense of any injustice from you to others. Your reputation as Founder of the College & as a man will inevitably float down side by side as long as either are remembered. So friend of the College or of yourself can more anxiously with man I do that the public whole know anything which can dim the honor or tarnish the reputation of either.This note is already so long that I do not speak of the allusions you make to some prejudices existing at the College. Besides , as my first letter only alluded to personal mothers it has seemed most appropriate so to confine this leaving those other matters for another time and a separate shut. Again wishing you all health I am Resp Yours C. Swan
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Swan, Cyrus
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Date
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March 30, 1868
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(Confidential) Poughkeepsie March 30, 1868 Mr. Matthew Vassar, Senior My dear Sir- Were there no other reasons for this note than the rumor which reach me, and the questions which are asked of me, I should not only feel justified but compelled in justice to you as well as myself, to ask you if it be time, that your personal and confidential relations with, and intentions (…) and me have either ceased or undergone any change. If i could presume upon such a possibility. I ought to have no doubt...
Show more(Confidential) Poughkeepsie March 30, 1868 Mr. Matthew Vassar, Senior My dear Sir- Were there no other reasons for this note than the rumor which reach me, and the questions which are asked of me, I should not only feel justified but compelled in justice to you as well as myself, to ask you if it be time, that your personal and confidential relations with, and intentions (…) and me have either ceased or undergone any change. If i could presume upon such a possibility. I ought to have no doubt you will tell me frankly why & to what extent. After and in view of all the occurrences of the past twenty years of friendly and professional intimacy, and certainly in presence of the entire devotion of the last 5 or 6 years on my part to your interests. I am and shall be most reluctant tobelieve in your forgetfulness or that any slight cause should have produced any change. For your sake & my own. I mistake you if I do not find you as anxious to make these enquiries fully as I am for your reply. You will need no assurance from me that no slight cause would have induced me to lay this note before you, nor that any casual consideration affecting myself, only could have compelled me. It is due to you, to my family, to myself, to the value & obligations of friendship, to the faith which should attach to promises & pledges, and in some degree to the public, that relations such as ours have been for so many years, & promises upon which so much has been staked, should remain unbroken & be redeemed, or that they suffer attraction only for very grave cause. A word from you will set the matter at rest, and I have no doubt you will hasten to speak it, and thank me for the opportunity. I have chosen to write, rather thanto such a personal interview, as it is less embarrassing, will leave no room for misunderstanding, and as in all respects most appropriate. With the best wishes, I am yours &c C. Swan
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Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
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Date
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March 27, 1868
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Vassar Photograph Mis Sarah J Hale N. 1413 … …, Philadelphia …Poughkeepsie March 27th 1868 Dear Mis Hale I am just in receipt of your note of the 25th current and wish I could relieve your mind in the matter of the “Report” of our committee so long already in their hands, but large bodies you know … moves slow “however I do not blame them very …, as some are absent from the city, some have been getting married others busy with their ordinary spring work … their own homes, so that I do not...
Show moreVassar Photograph Mis Sarah J Hale N. 1413 … …, Philadelphia …Poughkeepsie March 27th 1868 Dear Mis Hale I am just in receipt of your note of the 25th current and wish I could relieve your mind in the matter of the “Report” of our committee so long already in their hands, but large bodies you know … moves slow “however I do not blame them very …, as some are absent from the city, some have been getting married others busy with their ordinary spring work … their own homes, so that I do not expect much attention to College affairs while the closing up season, our next annual commencement day middle June. I am in receipt of your Lady Book … I enclose you half dozen photography cards which are all I have on hand at present, I will send you more as soon as I go next to the College, also send a couple of catalogues — The young ladies have commenced their preparation for the celebration of The “Founders Day”, I almost dread the ordeal, you are aware how things terrestrial looses their charms by use and repetition, there is just as much beauty in the old … when advanced in years as in our youth, but the power of our national vision to enjoy it has departed. I hope it will not be so with me on the next “Founder’s day”. May I anticipate the pleasure of seeing … with us. Our friend and lady principal … … is … in your city, I do not know her dress or would ask her to call on you, she left the College some week ago in the hopes that a little change of atmosphere and deanery would improve her health, I think she may be stopping at some your … class …. Winter with us is still lingering in the … of spring, great … of snow are to be seen on the … … of dwelling, …. …. … D. … Hale Your very truly H M. Vassar
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Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
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Date
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March 10, 1868
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Tuesday Morning March 10th 1868. Professor Ch? S. Farrar Dear Sir In the multitude of consul (as the old proverb has it) there is wisdom or safety, now for its application in the matter of the Marble Bust, There has been several suggestions as to what part of the College the Bust ought to be placed, some have spoke of the Art-Gallery, some #be- and others in the Library, on the Main Hall Stairs in a Nitch or recess, on the first or second flights, and others in the Library, but it appears to...
Show moreTuesday Morning March 10th 1868. Professor Ch? S. Farrar Dear Sir In the multitude of consul (as the old proverb has it) there is wisdom or safety, now for its application in the matter of the Marble Bust, There has been several suggestions as to what part of the College the Bust ought to be placed, some have spoke of the Art-Gallery, some #be- and others in the Library, on the Main Hall Stairs in a Nitch or recess, on the first or second flights, and others in the Library, but it appears to me that the proper place would be in the public parlor north;----between the closed Door, the recess to be lined with Moreane or dark olive Cloth or baize, This locality would protect it from all injury, and be seen by all visitors to the College parlors, and have a dark muslin cover- ing to be placed or drawn over it when the rooms are swepted & other occa- sions if necessary. I yesterday consulted MFS Hofmann n the subject of its location and she agreed with me that the parlor' would be the most proper place, you will therefore see Mr ProfF Van Ingden & others having the business in charge, that I desire it placed in the north Parlor as intimated. If my health permit will come out to the College this Evening------- Yours very truly &c M. Vassar
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Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
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Date
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January 10, 1868
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Poughkeepsie. Friday Morning January 10^1868 Nathan Bishop L.L.D. My dear Sir I wish to call the attention of your Ex. Board to-day to a subject which has occupied my mind for some time past, viz* that of the "Riding School" department. —Repeated enquiries have been made of me wether the Ex. Com* would allow Prof .r Von Seldeneck to take pupils residing outside the College during the school term, to which I replyd no, but it has lately occured to me that the Ex. Committee might with...
Show morePoughkeepsie. Friday Morning January 10^1868 Nathan Bishop L.L.D. My dear Sir I wish to call the attention of your Ex. Board to-day to a subject which has occupied my mind for some time past, viz* that of the "Riding School" department. —Repeated enquiries have been made of me wether the Ex. Com* would allow Prof .r Von Seldeneck to take pupils residing outside the College during the school term, to which I replyd no, but it has lately occured to me that the Ex. Committee might with propriety consent to such an arrangement without prejudice to the College, by setting a part special hours for instruction for that class, I would not promise that the admittance of such outside pupils should be granted without proper guards & provissions as to character &c, and that no one pupil should be admitted without first being refered and approved by your Board, by this or some like this arrangement, no offense would be given, as no reason need be assigned for \^, rejection^ &c. I believe the Riding School has never been one half filled with pupils, and it may be do utfull wether \^$i^5Mt ever will from College pupils alone; I hope Gentlemen you will take the foregoing subject into consideration at your Meeting to-day, and decide upon it pro, or con,----- Yours, Respectfully &c Matthew Vassar P.S. My health does not permit me to come out to the College to-day, or would have conveyed the above verbaly &c MV
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Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
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Date
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December 19, 1867
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December 19th 1867. Samuel M. Buckingham Esqr My dear Sir As you are one of the committee appointed by the Ex. Bord of Vassar College to inspect a Statuette of the Founder of the Institution moulded by Mrs Laura S. Hofmann as a study for a larger work to be made of Marble or Bronse, I would beg to submit to you a few thoughts with referance to that important work, but before proceeding allow me to express, that, it was never my wish or desire to have the latter work exe- cuted during my life...
Show moreDecember 19th 1867. Samuel M. Buckingham Esqr My dear Sir As you are one of the committee appointed by the Ex. Bord of Vassar College to inspect a Statuette of the Founder of the Institution moulded by Mrs Laura S. Hofmann as a study for a larger work to be made of Marble or Bronse, I would beg to submit to you a few thoughts with referance to that important work, but before proceeding allow me to express, that, it was never my wish or desire to have the latter work exe- cuted during my life time, whatever the Hon. Board of Trustees might deem proper to do thereafter, but as the artist has undertaken on her own responsibility to execute a minature Modell in clay and now proposes to transfir the same in Plaster for a full sise statute, it becomes extremely important that it should be artis- tically done, so as to bear the vigilent
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Creator
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Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
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December 18, 1867
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Poughkeepsie December 18th 1867. To the honorble Committe appointed to Inspect the minature Statute of the Founder of Vassar Col- lege &c. Gentlemen. As the incipient steps are now taken for the erection of the monumental statute of your Founder &c, by Mrs. Laura S. Hofmann Artist, either in Marble or Bronse, I would suggest that in case your committee should decide to cause a devise in either that, if possi- ble, that the work be executed by an American Expert, and that the same be...
Show morePoughkeepsie December 18th 1867. To the honorble Committe appointed to Inspect the minature Statute of the Founder of Vassar Col- lege &c. Gentlemen. As the incipient steps are now taken for the erection of the monumental statute of your Founder &c, by Mrs. Laura S. Hofmann Artist, either in Marble or Bronse, I would suggest that in case your committee should decide to cause a devise in either that, if possi- ble, that the work be executed by an American Expert, and that the same be proceeded with immediately, and that it be ereted in the center of the College Ave- nue between the Gate-Lodge and College Edifice as in your judgement may deem best, and in case the work should be begun this ensuing spring, I would loan the College on the first of May on thier B & Mortgage @ 7 pc payable half yearly to pay for the monument or a part thereof the sum of Twenty five Thousand dollars. Yours very Respectfully M. Vassar.
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Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
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December 12, 1867
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Poughkeepsie December. 12th 1867. My dear Doct. E. L. M. Yours of last Saturday8 date came duly to hand, giv- ing me an account of your surjournings to the place of your birth,—you were more fortunate than a certain Lady was when asked by a gentleman the place of her nativity, who reply! O she had none as she was the wife of a Methodist Minister! But laying puns asside, we very much regretted you and you good wife' absence from our sociable on the evening of the 6th current, for we had...
Show morePoughkeepsie December. 12th 1867. My dear Doct. E. L. M. Yours of last Saturday8 date came duly to hand, giv- ing me an account of your surjournings to the place of your birth,—you were more fortunate than a certain Lady was when asked by a gentleman the place of her nativity, who reply! O she had none as she was the wife of a Methodist Minister! But laying puns asside, we very much regretted you and you good wife' absence from our sociable on the evening of the 6th current, for we had realy a happy joyfull time of it,—numbering some hundred & odd guests, composed of the Faculty, Prof8, and Teachers of the College, with our City (College) Trustees, and other notables, made up a party of pleasentry & social chat,—seldom equaled for literary distinction especialy at the tables of refreshments, It was realy a mental & physical feast, the latter was got up by our best caterers for the inner-man in our City,—so you see your " hopes of our having a good time " of it has been reilised. Yours in the Traces &c &c, M. Vassar
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Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
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Date
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December 10, 1867
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Poughkeepsie December 10th 1867 My dear Miss Stilson. Your8, of the 6th current with " Hill Top " Institute enclosed is received, and were happy to hear from you once again, and have perused over your letter with much pleasure, altho' you mentiond it was written under pressure of many heavy demands on your time, yet I did not discover it by its autography or Composition but contrawise, both had improved. Your reminiscences of the pleasure8 you enjoyed at the little festival...
Show morePoughkeepsie December 10th 1867 My dear Miss Stilson. Your8, of the 6th current with " Hill Top " Institute enclosed is received, and were happy to hear from you once again, and have perused over your letter with much pleasure, altho' you mentiond it was written under pressure of many heavy demands on your time, yet I did not discover it by its autography or Composition but contrawise, both had improved. Your reminiscences of the pleasure8 you enjoyed at the little festival entertainment afforded at Springside last summer were fully ballanced & reciprocated by me on that occasion, by meeting so many of the Young Ladies of the College—I have again and again, of late participated & enjoyed those pleasent season8— First on the last Thanksgiving day, I dined at the Col- lege, & in the Evening had a social gathering in the Parlors—on the 3d. Dec the Annual Festival of the Philalethian Society came off, then on the 6th (Friday Evening) we held a sociable Entertainment at my Domicil (city Residence) of the Faculty, Professors, & Lady Teachers, of " Vassar ", with several of the Trustees & Executive Committee, numbering over a hundred Guests, with a choice N. Y. City Band of Music. At 11. Ock. we all partook of a fine supper got up by the Celebrated Caterers " Smith Brothers " of this City. This was the first Invitation ever extended to the College Faculty & Lady Teachers, since its or- ganization & I think was highly appreciated and will be long remembered—Miss Lyman was absent having recently lost her Sister, in Philadelphia— We have lately had several distinguish Lecturers at our College among them Revd. Newman Hall of England, Wendell Phillips, Vincent & others. The weather is now very cold and we have fine skat- ing at College Lake, a little snow but no sleighing. I remain Dear Miss Stilson truly Yours &c M.. Vassar.Miss Sarah L. Stilson Martinsburgh New York
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Stilson, Sarah L.
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December 6, 1867
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Martinsburgh, Dec. 6. 1867. Mr. M. Vassar: My Honored Friend, Your kind letter received over month ago was very welcome and was perused with much pleasure. It has rested this long with no response because the heavy demands upon my time carried by the many duties of my school. Very glad am I of an opportunity afforded by a mark’s vacation to rest and enjoy the buying of (…) to reply to my friends’ letters. I am delighted to hear of the prosperity of Vassar College. May it continue to increase,...
Show moreMartinsburgh, Dec. 6. 1867. Mr. M. Vassar: My Honored Friend, Your kind letter received over month ago was very welcome and was perused with much pleasure. It has rested this long with no response because the heavy demands upon my time carried by the many duties of my school. Very glad am I of an opportunity afforded by a mark’s vacation to rest and enjoy the buying of (…) to reply to my friends’ letters. I am delighted to hear of the prosperity of Vassar College. May it continue to increase, and may itsFounder live many years to enjoy its brightening fame. There is such a pleasant atmosphere for the heart to breathe, in those walls, which often and often when far away I have longed and thirsted for its sweet influences again. In addition to my duties here I intend to say to keep up with my class at Vassar. So I have been studying this vacation on my Latin. What a pleasant time that was last summer, that day at Springtide! The scenery, the sunlight, the merry group, the very airs seemed laden with great delight. Many such days may you live to enjoy! This short vacation of mine will soon be over, then for earnest work again! I will send youthe advantagement of our school. In just thirteen weeks, or on the 10th of March, I will be at Vassar again! Ready there for a student’s duties instead of a teacher’s, ready for wash and Founder’s Day (!) I sincerely hope you are well and happy. In every grief may our dear Heavenly Father comfort you. This is the wish and prayers of Your sincere young friend Sarah L. Stilson Martinsburgh N. Y.
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Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
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Date
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November 21, 1867
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Thursday Morning November 21st, 1867. My dear Miss Powell I intended to had seen you after the Gymnastic Exercises last evening to express the pleasure and satisfaction the exercises afforded me & my accompaning friends, and were much impressed with the improvement the Young Ladies had made since my first visit, and had my health admitted intended to have expressed this deserving tribute of praise to them ere I left the hall, failing in that opportunity be pleased dear Miss P-----to...
Show moreThursday Morning November 21st, 1867. My dear Miss Powell I intended to had seen you after the Gymnastic Exercises last evening to express the pleasure and satisfaction the exercises afforded me & my accompaning friends, and were much impressed with the improvement the Young Ladies had made since my first visit, and had my health admitted intended to have expressed this deserving tribute of praise to them ere I left the hall, failing in that opportunity be pleased dear Miss P-----to tender to the young Ladies my humble salutation &c Yours very truly &c Matthew Vassar
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Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
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Date
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October 18, 1867
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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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Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
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Date
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October 14, 1867
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Poughkeepsie October iHh, 1867. My dear Mrs Hale, I duly recived yours of the 9th Current in answer to w several enquiries concerning the College publications & illustrations in the "Lady Book", with also the Sketch enclosed of Mr. Godeys, terms &c &c. Of course the suggestions were my own and have not been sub- mitted to the Executive Board for their consideration, but when I do will inform you of the result, altho1 from some side information yester- day (Saturday)...
Show morePoughkeepsie October iHh, 1867. My dear Mrs Hale, I duly recived yours of the 9th Current in answer to w several enquiries concerning the College publications & illustrations in the "Lady Book", with also the Sketch enclosed of Mr. Godeys, terms &c &c. Of course the suggestions were my own and have not been sub- mitted to the Executive Board for their consideration, but when I do will inform you of the result, altho1 from some side information yester- day (Saturday) hinted by the Chairman of that Committee I think nothing next will be done untill the seasoni term, seeing that the College is now nearly full of Pupils. Whenever it is determined to enlarge the pub- licity of the Institution it should be accomplished by the most effective medeums,- I incline with you to believe that as ours is the first College for the liberal Education of Woman in the world, it is entitled to the widest historical circulation &c (over)There were held here last week, the N.Y. State Baptist Missionary, Home &c & Foreign Bible Society Unions, of course a large number of distinguished Clergymen & lay Delegates were present, and many of them visited the College, and most if not all went away as one of Old from the Temple, wonderfully supprised, repeating the same answer. I am happy hear that your health is improved and can join you in similar rejoicing &c. With much regards I remain dear Mrs H- Yours truly &c M. Vassar
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Stilson, Sarah L.
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Date
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October 12, 1867
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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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Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
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Date
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October 3, 1867
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Springside. -- Po October 3?. 1867. My dear Mrs Hale I duly received yours of the 30.. ulmo, with Enclosures, and think with you that the October No, not finding its way into the.LadyJL Book for that month is no disadvantage, they tally well together in one issue for November. -- You ask me if our College is full? I answer Yes, at least as full as convienant for the first weeks opening- Our Register numbers to yesterday 374,-- We need all the Margin (400 being our maximin) for odds and ends,...
Show moreSpringside. -- Po October 3?. 1867. My dear Mrs Hale I duly received yours of the 30.. ulmo, with Enclosures, and think with you that the October No, not finding its way into the.LadyJL Book for that month is no disadvantage, they tally well together in one issue for November. -- You ask me if our College is full? I answer Yes, at least as full as convienant for the first weeks opening- Our Register numbers to yesterday 374,-- We need all the Margin (400 being our maximin) for odds and ends, strangers coming from a graat distance--- Yesterday we had 2 from Colorado, 1 from Sidney Australia. I feel equaly happy with you that the obnoxious word or title to our College has been expelled, and can now be looked upon in front of the Edifice with pleasurable emotions; I think if your eyes could behold it now in all its inner and outer Glory it might (who knows) work a miraclouscure for them, at any rate I should like to see the experiment tried &c. -- But to be more soberly serious, what would be the probable expense for Wood-Cuts full sise of the Ladys Book sheets, illustrating the College Building-- 4 Corridors-, Gymnasium, Observatory Buildings, & Riding School, for one Insertion in some future issues, if not too inconvienant sise & expensive I would lay the same before our Executive Committe at 342 .sr. Oct. 3, 1867 - 2 XT. thier meeting on the 18-^ current. I were glad to hear that your eyes were better and do pray that both them & your health may be long spared you -- My health has not not been ver/y good for the last 2 or 3 weeks, and have been out doors for several days- I remain Dear Mrs. Hale Truly your friend M. VassarM. Vassar oct name changed 1867 Mrs Sarah J Hale … Philadephia
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Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
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Date
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September 26, 1867
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Vassar College. Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Setember[September] 9th 1867 My dear Mrs. Hale I am duly in receipt of your favor of the 2d[2nd] current and were right glad once more to hear from my good and tried friend, and especialy[sic] under the circumstances of improved health from her late tour for its restoration etc. Referring to the Advertisement notice respecting the College requested by our Register, Mr. Schon, declining to make any charges for its publication in the Lady-Book, only imposes...
Show moreVassar College. Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Setember[September] 9th 1867 My dear Mrs. Hale I am duly in receipt of your favor of the 2d[2nd] current and were right glad once more to hear from my good and tried friend, and especialy[sic] under the circumstances of improved health from her late tour for its restoration etc. Referring to the Advertisement notice respecting the College requested by our Register, Mr. Schon, declining to make any charges for its publication in the Lady-Book, only imposes upon me a fresh debt of gratitude, but which I hope to have an oppertunity[sic] at no distant day to remunerate at least in part. I read your article in the Sept No “Catalogue of “Vassar College” for 1866. 7, and shall be anxious waiting of [caliber] November …I send you to am Express to another Copy of Vassar & its Founder to present to your friends in England a singular coincidence just occured[sic] on the very morning of the day of receipt of your last letter the central marble slab on the front of the Edifice contains the words “Female” was removed relieving the Institution from the idium[sic] which has so long disgraced it etc It now reads Vassar College Founded A.D. 1861 and let me [appease] you that to you my dear friend to you only am I [wroth] for this change after so long a contest by a phalanx of opposers To whom it may Concern The bearer of this note Miss Sarah J Stilton has been a pupil of Vassar College for the last two years past, and as far as I understand from heads of the Educational department has acquited[sic] herself with literary honors and hight[highest] testimonials of Character
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Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
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Date
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September 26, 1867
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Springside, Po September 26th, 1867 My dear Miss Stilson, I was put duly in receipt of your kind letter of the 23d current, and was supprised to learn at first thought that you had not received " V College & its Founder " but on the second thought, there was a very good and satisfactory reason, viz, I had omitted to mail it &c, dispactd it yesterday which will be at hand ere this note. I herewith send you on other side as per request the Certificate sought, and hope it will...
Show moreSpringside, Po September 26th, 1867 My dear Miss Stilson, I was put duly in receipt of your kind letter of the 23d current, and was supprised to learn at first thought that you had not received " V College & its Founder " but on the second thought, there was a very good and satisfactory reason, viz, I had omitted to mail it &c, dispactd it yesterday which will be at hand ere this note. I herewith send you on other side as per request the Certificate sought, and hope it will prove satis- factory arid accomplish your purpose. Our College is filling up fast—we have now entered on the Books some 370, pupils, all goes on well, I am happy to hear that your School prospects are so flattering. We have this summer added more gymnastics & other physical Exercises, the latter large Riding School Building, two 9 Pin-Alleys,—Not feeling very bright this Morn- ing I must make this note brief. Yours very Respectfully &c Matthew VassarCity of Poughkeepsie N.Y. September 26th 1864 To whom it may concern &c, The bearer of this note Miss Sarah, L. Stilson has been been a pupil of “Vassar College” for the last two years past, and as far as I understand from the principals of the educational departments has acquitted herself with credible testimonies and good character. Matthew Vassar Founder of Vassar CollegeMiss Sarah L. Stilson Martensburgh New York
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Stilson, Sarah L.
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Date
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September 21, 1867
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Martinsburgh, N.Y. Sept. 23, 1867. Mr. M. Vassar: My honored Friend, Your kind letter was very gladly received and read with pleasure. The reason that I have not answered before is that I have been waiting for your present to reach me. Accept my very heartied thanks for the book “Vassar College and its Founder.” But I regret to say that I fear something has happened to it on the way for nearly two weeks have elapsed since the reception of your kind letter and I have been to the Express Office...
Show moreMartinsburgh, N.Y. Sept. 23, 1867. Mr. M. Vassar: My honored Friend, Your kind letter was very gladly received and read with pleasure. The reason that I have not answered before is that I have been waiting for your present to reach me. Accept my very heartied thanks for the book “Vassar College and its Founder.” But I regret to say that I fear something has happened to it on the way for nearly two weeks have elapsed since the reception of your kind letter and I have been to the Express Office almost every day and yet it has not arrived. Now the Express companies andresponsible for the safe delivery of all goods and they will have to pay your damages if this be lost. But I am very anxious to receive the book and I hope it will arrive some time soon. But I think some inquiries will have to be made at the Express Office in Po’keepsie. The companions having offices here not he U.S. Express and the Merchants’ Union Exp. But articles sent by any other co. ought to preach here safely. I think it would be the cheapest way and as safe to send by mail. I am very sorry to cause you any trouble regarding this but still if it is sent I am anxious to receive it as a keepsake from you. I was very much interested in your account of the changes at Vassar. Our “Alma Mater” has thrown open her arms to gather her children home again(…) much I thought of it last Wednesday the opening day, and it fumed as this I must be there. But the time will speed very swiftly till next spring. Meanwhile duties throng heavily. School is prospering far beyond my expectations. The citizens are so much interested, they are negotiating to organize it into a regular Academy soon. In that can this little wait from Vassar will soon have heavier responsibilities and stand at the head of a Summary of more than a hundred students and a number of teachers, and all built up from a beginning of eight pupils a year ago. Pardon this confidence. Mr. Vassar I have a very great regret to make of you. I would very much like a (…) saying “This may certify that Miss S..&c. has been pupil of Vassar College &c.” or something to that effect, that I might keep it as a memorial all my life. I sincerely hope you are still well. Your
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Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
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September 5, 1867
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VASSAR COLLEGE Poughkeepsie, N. Y. September 5th 1867 My dear Miss Stilson. I am just in receipt of your kind note of the 31st ultimo, redeeming your long looked for promise to write me, which of course I had been axiously waiting, but the long delay inferentialy left the impression, that you were sick, or time and other occupations had obliterated me from your memory—however your in- teresting Letter lying before me has relieved all these forbodings, and I am happy to hear that you are well...
Show moreVASSAR COLLEGE Poughkeepsie, N. Y. September 5th 1867 My dear Miss Stilson. I am just in receipt of your kind note of the 31st ultimo, redeeming your long looked for promise to write me, which of course I had been axiously waiting, but the long delay inferentialy left the impression, that you were sick, or time and other occupations had obliterated me from your memory—however your in- teresting Letter lying before me has relieved all these forbodings, and I am happy to hear that you are well and succeeding so prosperously with your School at Martinsburgh. I pray that our Heavenly Father may Continue to bless your enterprise and that you will re- turn to " Vassar " again next Spring. Extensive improvements have been made in the in- terior of the College, in the Lodging departments, for the accomodation of 50 more pupils. Also in the intriduction of more light and Air in the first Story Rooms in rear of the Corridors. The finishing off 25 Rooms for Instruction on Piano8, and using the old rooms in the College Building for Lodging apartments —We can now accommodate 400 pupils with good comfortable sleeping apartments—The number of Pupils already registered for Sept. term is some 360, and in another week or two we shall have the full com- plement. Some few changes has taken place in the officers of our Institution, or rather in the Professorships— among those are Professor Knapp and Profr Weibe, the former & Lady has gone to Europe, the latter to Holy Yoke Seminary. We have their places ably supplied. We have expended some $15,000 in alter- ations & other improvements in the College buildings for the convenience & comfort of its Pupils, &c. I send you by " Am" Express Co." a work en- titled " Vassar College & its Founder " by Benson J. Lossing which is the first Copy I have given away to any Pupil of " Vassar", also the last Catalouge " please to accept the same from your sincere friend, also Miss Lymans New Term address to the Parants & Pupils—My Coachman is waiting on the door and I must close this note, with my best wishes for your health & happiness &c Yours truly M. VassarMiss Sarah L. Stilton, Martinsburgh New York
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Stilson, Sarah L.
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August 21, 1867
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Martinsburgh N.Y. Aug 25, 1867. Mr. M. Vassar: My Honored Friend, You perceive that I have not forgotten my promise to write to you made over the morning of leaving College. I suppose you have been spending these lovely summer days in the pleasant retreats of Springside; and the many happy ones who were so lately assembled in the same halls are scattered all over our Country now on this last evening of the summer of ’67. But September will bring them home again, home to pleasant (…) and to ...
Show moreMartinsburgh N.Y. Aug 25, 1867. Mr. M. Vassar: My Honored Friend, You perceive that I have not forgotten my promise to write to you made over the morning of leaving College. I suppose you have been spending these lovely summer days in the pleasant retreats of Springside; and the many happy ones who were so lately assembled in the same halls are scattered all over our Country now on this last evening of the summer of ’67. But September will bring them home again, home to pleasant (…) and to “Vassar”. And yet some will not return again. Some perhaps are content to return to its arms no more; while some may thirst for its pleasant influence as the wandererfor cool waters and yet can never taste them again. To you there must be a quiet joy in the white rest of years, how that the burning fever of active life has (…) leaving to er heart a calm satisfaction of work completed, a deed achieved. Ah! welcome is age to such a (…)! But drearily- oh! how dreamily must sound the footsteps of approaching age to a wasted life! I have not heard about your health since June. Are you still troubled with that strange numbness in your head? I hope you will be restored to perfect health again and live long to enjoy returning Founder’s Days, occasions hailed with joy by hundreds of hearts. I look forward with joyful anticipation to my return home At Vassar the first of March. It seems a long time but it will be so freighted with duties that its days will (…) pass. Besides there is a deeppure pleasure in earning one’s own privileges and paying one’s own way. I am teaching here and I am having better success than I had even hoped for, so early. A year ago now was the saddest part of my life. I had bade farewell to Vassar as I feared forever. I saw no way of returning. The whole world seemed dark, of my aims were high and I saw no means of accomplishing them. I was almost tempted to give up the struggle in despair. But I resolved so must all obstacles and overcome. I said “I will!” And I felt that I Heaven would watch over the brave. I opened a school of my own here. The member of pupils in classes to light times the number with which I commenced. Every thing I touched prospered, I worked very hard, and my Heavenly Father favored me. So I closed my school, as soon as my time was up, must back to Vassar last spring feeling so rich that I could pay my own tuition. But the citizens of Marten burgh drew up a paper to have me return as soon as possible, so I have done so, have procured a very cordial welcome and a larger patronageand shall be financially able to return to Vassar towards spring. Of course it will be very hard earnest work but it will be worth it its own reward. The reason that I have afflicted you with this long story is to let you know that some of your daughters prize the privileges of their “Alma Mater” and am writing to pay for these. Still I would rather not let the students know all this. They would not appreciate the circumstances. Mr. Vassar it would be very cheering indeed to me to receive a letter from you if only a short one. Wishing you perfect health and unmarred peace. I am, respectfully Your Young Friend Sarah S. Stilson Martensburgh N.Y. Address at present
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Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
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Date
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August 2, 1867
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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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Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
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Date
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July 11, 1867
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M. Vassar answered Feb 1864 Mrs. Sarah. J. Hale N-1413 Locust Street Philidephia Springside, Po July ll**1 1867 My dear Mrs Hale, I am just in receipt of your kind note of the 6.. current, and notice you had received the Reports Catalouges &c sent you per mail, and also the volume entitled "Vassar College & its Founder", and am pleased to hear your appreciation of its typhographical execution & endorsement of this testimonial in my life time, for I assure you I had many...
Show moreM. Vassar answered Feb 1864 Mrs. Sarah. J. Hale N-1413 Locust Street Philidephia Springside, Po July ll**1 1867 My dear Mrs Hale, I am just in receipt of your kind note of the 6.. current, and notice you had received the Reports Catalouges &c sent you per mail, and also the volume entitled "Vassar College & its Founder", and am pleased to hear your appreciation of its typhographical execution & endorsement of this testimonial in my life time, for I assure you I had many struggles of mind as to the propriety of its publication, but our Trustees were resolved to put it in print with the history of the College enterprise &c, - It is now before the public, and will do something towards making our Institution more extensively known, The Ex Com, will distribute a number of copies among the popular-Editorial departments of the Country, and if you wish I will send you a few copies to send to your friends in England. I hope you will give it a proper notice in the Oct N? of the Lady Book. I were sorry to hear of your affliction of your Eyes &c In haste Yours truly &c M. Vassar
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Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
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July 9, 1867
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Springside Poughkeepsie, N.Y. July 9th. 1867 My dear Miss Mitchell As you will observe by the heading of this note we are now at our Country Quarters "Springside", among sheep, shady groves, singing of birds chirping of squirrels and misquetoes - We came down here yesterday, and of course last night was our first night time trip, and the contrast was so great from our City Residence, so still and quiet that it reminded me of the old Woman who had temporarily separated from her...
Show moreSpringside Poughkeepsie, N.Y. July 9th. 1867 My dear Miss Mitchell As you will observe by the heading of this note we are now at our Country Quarters "Springside", among sheep, shady groves, singing of birds chirping of squirrels and misquetoes - We came down here yesterday, and of course last night was our first night time trip, and the contrast was so great from our City Residence, so still and quiet that it reminded me of the old Woman who had temporarily separated from her snoring husband, could not sleep for the want of his soothing specific -- but laying asside jesting I want to say to you, that I have just this moment returned from the College but found no bodies there but M Schou, Janator "Wheeler", and your old Pusse "Zeraviah!f, whom I am sorry to inform you has a very bad cold which added to her loneliness may endanger her general health break down her Constitution &c - she realy had my sympathy. What can be done for her,- the College Physician is absent?----- I can readly immagine how happy you must be in your old quarters, quaint old Town of Nantucket, far removed from the bustling outside Barbarians that even a single "Fire-Cracker" disturbs your equanimity, but am thinking when your return this extreme quiet will be soon ballance. when the College opens, &c. Your "hopes" has been reilised," you did not quite kill me with kindness at the last festival coramencement day, yet I came very near dieing with "aromatic, mental pain, I am pleased to here you are pleased with "Lossing Vassar College &c&c". I regret to hear that your apartments of accommodation does not admit of the adjunctive mood. Why not construct a Telegraph as at "Vassar", so you could hear from each other the same day, but I must close, my brain grows weary, but a better reason yet is the Bell rings for Dinner,--so good bye, remember me kindly to Father. Yours very truly &c &c Matthew Vassar
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Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
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July 2, 1867
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Poughkeepsie July 2nd, 1864. My Dear Mr. Lossing I have before me a Copy of the volume entitled “Vassar College and its Founder”, prepared by you at the request of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees at my expense. I am so well satisfied with it, that I take pleasure in expressing that satisfaction to you and my thanks for your promptness in preparing the manuscript and illustrations for the press and your care in superintending its Manufacture. I remain dear Sir Yours very truly...
Show morePoughkeepsie July 2nd, 1864. My Dear Mr. Lossing I have before me a Copy of the volume entitled “Vassar College and its Founder”, prepared by you at the request of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees at my expense. I am so well satisfied with it, that I take pleasure in expressing that satisfaction to you and my thanks for your promptness in preparing the manuscript and illustrations for the press and your care in superintending its Manufacture. I remain dear Sir Yours very truly &c. Matthew Vassar
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Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
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July 1, 1867
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Monday Evening 5 Oek. July 1st 1867 My dear Mr Los sing Your notes of Saturday and this P.M. were handed me only a few moments after I dispatch, my last, had I received them before (which was by the carelessness of the Servant laying them on my parlor instead of my Office Table) I would not have again written) I trust this explanation will be satisfactory &c. Your explanation3 are perfectly appreciated & quite satis- factory. I will try to see you tomorrow morning. In reply to your P...
Show moreMonday Evening 5 Oek. July 1st 1867 My dear Mr Los sing Your notes of Saturday and this P.M. were handed me only a few moments after I dispatch, my last, had I received them before (which was by the carelessness of the Servant laying them on my parlor instead of my Office Table) I would not have again written) I trust this explanation will be satisfactory &c. Your explanation3 are perfectly appreciated & quite satis- factory. I will try to see you tomorrow morning. In reply to your P.S. I ana well pleased with the performance in preparing the memoir of "Vass.ar College & its Founder1' and if you will be so kind as to give me a form you wish to have me write in I will do so with much pleasure he Yours truly &c M. Vassar.
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Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
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June 25, 1867
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Respected friends The second Collegiate year of your Institution has passed with all its attending varied circumstances & incidents, among them are some worthy of your especial & devout consideration and gratitude to Almighty God for his great goodness and merciful protection over us - no sickness or death to my knowledge has occured[sic] in our numerious[sic] circle since its first organization in 1860, nor any changes in your official memberships, or other matters, save in the legal...
Show moreRespected friends The second Collegiate year of your Institution has passed with all its attending varied circumstances & incidents, among them are some worthy of your especial & devout consideration and gratitude to Almighty God for his great goodness and merciful protection over us - no sickness or death to my knowledge has occured[sic] in our numerious[sic] circle since its first organization in 1860, nor any changes in your official memberships, or other matters, save in the legal total of your College, which by our act of the Legislature last winter, the middle word Female was stricken out, your Institution is now and will henceforth be known & distinguished as “Vassar College” Po’keepsie[Poughkeepsie]. We are indebted to Mrs. Sarah J. Hale of Phi’a[Philadelphia] for the first suggestion of this change, and would now advise that the middle marble Slab with the word, Female be taken out of the Front of the Building. Since your last Annual Meeting, the the Riding School and Gymnasium Buildings has[have] been completed and is doubtless the finest and best fitted establishment of the Kind in this Country. It is 156 feet long & 130 feet wide, covered with Tin & Slate built of Brick with Blue stone trimmings. It contains a music hall 30 x 52[,] a Gymnastic hall 81 x 30[,] a bowling alley (unfinished) 82 x 30 and apartments for the accommodation of several familys[sic] - a carpenter and joiner shops, stalls and slatting for some 20 to 25 horses, [Journy] closets etc etc[.] Baron Von Seldeneck has charge of the Riding department and Miss E. M. Powell a Lady of distinguished merit in Gymnastic Exercises, in the Instruction of that healthy art who recommends to your considerations some improvements, but perhaps I had better read a note from her received a day or two since in answer to some enquiry made by me concerning the Gymnasium [etc etc B. Nole]. Among other Physical Exercises the subject of Public Dancing is occupying much (over)attention in the Christian Community and much is being written pro and con on the Question. The latest are[is an] [“]Essay delivered at the International Convention of Young Mens Christian Association” held in Albany last June by Rev[erend] Martin R. Vincent[,] Pastor of the first Presbyterian Church of Troy, and a reply thereto by the Rev[erend[ E. R. Keyes[,] Pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church [of] Po’Keepsie[Poughkeepsie] on the “Incompatibility of amusements with Christian Life,” both being able papers I present them for your reading & consideration. I had however years proven made w/o[without] my judgement on the Questions and decided favorably on the subject altho’[although] I never pratic’d[practiced] Dancing in my Life, yet in view of also being a Gracefull[sic] healthy yGymnastic Exercise I heartly[sic] recommend in being taught in the College to all such whose Parents or Guardians desire its inhibition to their Daughters. The gross cost of this Gymnasium Building with all its appurtences[appurtenances] is some $66,000 nd[and] notwithstanding in large cost & outfit its income from the receipts of pupils from these physical exercises will more than pay the interest on the investment. I would recommend the creation of some additional finish on the Center front of the Building to break the long sweep of the heavy cornish, also Lightning Rods, also the erection of a [few] Sheds for protection of Coal etc, as much loss in occasionaly[sic] for want of these protections from Snow & Rains. [I] Would also advise the Construction of a Dam at the junction of the Streams South East of the College Buildings for the purpose of erecting Bathing Houses, besides as an ornament to the Grounds, and the planting of Willow Trees around it to screen the Bath House from public eyes. The first year trial of your College was rather experimental, and in common with all new schemes, [&] necessaraly[sic] undefined & indefinite, subsequent practice has demonstrated actual verities that in the main we were right, and now that all doubts of its future success has been removed our bark may again venture upon the sea of ordinary upheaving and frictions off interlects[sic] incident to the elements of mental voyages. First, with regard to the interior official management of your College it is not my special province to speak, these matters will be laid before you under their proper heads. In those that pertains to the Exterior[,] conducment perhaps it would be well to examine more in detail. First, considerable expenditure has and must continualy[sic] occur in this department, but wether[sic] there is not room for retrenchments & yet progressive improvements is for you honorable body to consider and decide. I make these suggestions in order that some permanent system of opperation[sic] may be adopted to guideyour superintendant[sic], I fear the interest of your College has suffered for want of System. I suggest also wether[sic] it would not be wise to have your Agent live in the College in order that he could have a constant eye and supervision over all its affairs pertaining to its exterior management, the lack of his presence cannot fully be estimated, as the old proverb has it that the “eye of the master is worth two Servants[‘],” much money would be saved by it from the often wrong doing by unskillfull[sic] opperatives[sic] of the commonest kind of work, planting Trees, Shrubbery, grading of avenues, walks etc and which is unavoidable without the supervissing[sic] eye of your over-seer & especialy[sic] in the Kitchen department. But I much questions policy, as cheaper and better accommodation can be attained by the erection of a Building in the rear of the College as its accompaning[accompanying] sketch and afford Lodging apartments for all your Domestics & they always near to their work. We can [have] them occupy their retired apartments for the Pupils, affording accommodation for 400 comfortably, and then raise your standard price of Instruction to $500. The more I reflect on this subject the more I am sattisfied[sic] of its policy. I made my propety by this rule, doing things well and changing accordingly - they almost the whole community are speaking of your very [con being], and almost courting an advance in connextion[connection] with this advance I would make more special provisions for Benificiary[sic] Students and this provide for the continguous[sic] more largely. Why Gentlemen your terms are below the average price of other seminarys[sic] of learning in this city & greatly so in those of other cities. It has been suggested by your chairman Doct[or] Bishop, that an enlargement be made to the Dinning[sic] Hall, and also some additional Lodging apartments for 50 more pupils and that this enlargement be made by adding the rear hall at the east of the Dinning[sic] room, and for the additional Lodging apartments either part of Allick over the Chapel or finish off some [of] the vacant portion of the basement for Lodging rooms for the Domestics - either of which plans would not be expensive & afford great conveinance[convenience]. As physical health is more or less indebted to physical vigor, I recommend progression in this department by the erection on the College grounds a few simple Swings on cross frame works located on the Lawn north of the College Building, for while we are expending so liberaly[sic] for the mental mind I would urge the importance of doing still more than we have, for the well being of the physical man, by the reception of a Building for special training in the science of the Culinary Artwhere all the pupils with the consent of their Parents or guardians may be instructed how to make a pudding, boil an Egg, Cook a potatoe[sic], prepar[sic] a Dinner, make a Beef and arrange in a proper manner the furniture in rooms with beaming taste - simple as these suggestions may appear to some minds they are the fruits of long thought and observations that there is nothing more needed than harmony order & fitness of things in domestic economy life, and without such provisions all is discord & confusion like old “Hogarth[‘]s” burlesque drawings in grouping perspectives etc. I would now call your attention to the suggestion & recommendation of your Ex[ecutive] Committe[sic] that a full story of your College and your Founder has been publish’d by your associate Trustee, Benson J. Lossing, Esq and, and I present you Gentlemen each with a copy. The importance of this history can only be examined by the character & duration of the Institution - without it Antiquarians will seek in vain for its history after our bodys[sic] are consigned to the dust.unless some thing memorial is written. In connexion[connection] with the same idea a statue of its Founder has been suggested, altho’[although] the delicacy of the subject admonish[es] my silence, I would no bring it to your notice now only to redeem my promise to Mrs. Hofmann an engenous[ingenious] artist of this city who has executed a model in Plaster of your humble Servant, with the intention of having it executed in March and proposes further more to construct a model in clay for an Iron or Bronse[sic] Stature at her own cost and risk of not approved by a Committe[sic] of your own appointment and if so approved, the terms for the work to be settled between them & her, but as I intimated above, the delicacy of the subject forbids my urging it on your consideration, but should you decide favorably the Founder would advance the means to the cost & erection of the same by receiving B&M on the College property. It is proposed to erect the Statue on the Center Circle opposite the front entrance I herewith hand you a rought[rough] drawing of the samewith a proposed colonnade or what in French parlance call’d “Pork-Cooker” the latter would be both an ornament and comfort to visitors in times of sudden rains or hot and cold weather. While making these improvements I would reccommend[sic] the painting of the Cluster of Farm Buildings, House Mill, Barnes[sic] etc and the adding a wide cornish to the Mill Building, in keeping with the Ice House building, and while washing the Callers. Also the putting up of Lightning Rods on the above Buildings & those of the Gymnasium & Riding School, and the erection of sheds for the College fuel on the sides of the embankment. Also the Bridging of the Pond at the point of Rocks on the East boundary line with the pickett[sic] wood black painted fence & making a path-way to Plank Road Since our last Annual Meeting an increased public favor & popularity in our own & other Countrys[sic] to the credit and honor of your Institution has been widely demonstrated. Letter from distinguished Individuals in science & Literature has been received bareing[sic] ample testimony to those feats and I would here call your attention or notice to one, a Gentlemen[sic] Amateur ornithologist in this vicinity, a comparative stranger, & I believe to most of our faculty, have out of his benificient[sic] heart given to the College a collection of Birds etc surpassed by any Cabinet in this Country with the Glass bases, and is now giving his personal time & attention in filling them upon your College and for this generous Gift I recommend your Board to pass suitable Ressolutions[sic] of thanks and place them in his hands & on the files of the Archives of the College. Thier[sic] value are at least $5000 This Gentlemen[‘]s Name is G. P. Giraud and who has also been instrumental of procuring from other parties further donation to this Cabinett[sic]. Refering[sic] again to the financial affairs of the College, I reccommend[sic] the setting apart a Fund for the express purpose of paying the contingent running expenses of of repairs Buildings, Grounds and the interest of which fund only to be use. In closing these remarks I would here say, that I do not contemplate all the suggestions herein made to be literaly[sic] executed at once but by degrees or circumstances may from Time to time warrant, yet I do hope the College net income may be such as to justify thier[sic] being done soon & even then my purposes & places will not all be completed. Progress is my watchword Refering[sic] again to the Office department of your College I would recommend the appointment of a sub-Clerk as an assistant to your Treasurer & present Book Keeper Mr. Schoe, the former feeling his duties too arduous & confining, bored by long experience has taught me in buisness[business[ pursuits, aways[always[ to have more than one string to your bow.Your Treasurer M. Vassar Jr. will lay before you a report on the Financial Condition of the College prospects etc. Your Sect[Secretary] C. Swan will afford you in his statement the general condition of the material outside matters, [best] embraced in the efficient account kept by Mr. Scoe & his assistants in the most satisfactory manner. I close these remnants with the request that they be filled with my former address on the archives of the College. I only add, that I would reccommend[sic] that our annual meeting hereafter be held on the Commencement Week of the College MV Now Gentlemen, having given you a brief statement of the generalities of the materials or outside matters of your Collage[sic] affairs, I wish I could close my remarks here, but Gentlemen there has been some occurances[sic] transpired within the past year among your Faculty & Proffesors[sic] which I would not now allude had they not been forced upon my consideration. I allude to the “Resignation” of Prof[essor] Knapp, an event as sudden as it was unexpected, and perhaps just such a one of those cases incident to College history, which in not easly[easily] prevented or provided for. It seems that some disagreement with Prof[essor] Knapp has occured[sic] between the President & Lady Principal as to the extent of thier[sic] official derogations, which has been the occasion of some misunderstanding and consequently unpleasant feelings; while Prof Knapp has discharg’d[discharged] his dutys[sic] with remarkable ability, zeal & industry, securingto his credit the favor & love of all his all his all his classes, there seems to have been some element of discord to have cramped & retarded his efforts of which he complains, and has in consequence tender’d his resignation to yr[your] Ex[ecutive] Committe[sic] This gentlemen is a delicate & difficult subject to be dealt with, but is one which must be and with discretion & promptliness[promptness] as the remedy now applied will be a precedent for your or your successors future guidance, in all after time. I hope the Board will give it all the consideration the subject demands, after obtaining hence the parties all the facts the case and do all in your power to remove the causes for his Resignation & retain him if possible. One word more before I close this address, and that is, I have to request of this [here] Board of Trustees, that they respectfully furnish the College at their own expense M Vassar’s Address June 25 1867 a half size Portrait of themselves which I shall regard as a great compliment and respond to it by a written note & have them hung up in the Gallery of Fine Arts in the College that future generations may know who my dignified friends were that I call’d to my assistance around me when I commenced this great educational work for woman. MV
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Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
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June 25, 1867
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Respected Friends The second commencement Collegiate year of your Institution has passed with all thier[sic] attending varied circumstances incidents etc., among them are some worthy of your special devout consideration and gratitude to Almighty God the Father of all mercies for his great goodness & protection over us from our first buisness[sic] organization in 1860 - no material sickness or death to my knowledge has occurred in our numerous circle during the past two years, nor any...
Show moreRespected Friends The second commencement Collegiate year of your Institution has passed with all thier[sic] attending varied circumstances incidents etc., among them are some worthy of your special devout consideration and gratitude to Almighty God the Father of all mercies for his great goodness & protection over us from our first buisness[sic] organization in 1860 - no material sickness or death to my knowledge has occurred in our numerous circle during the past two years, nor any changes in the official memberships or other matters save in the Legal Title of the name of the College which by an act of the Legislature last winter, the middle word Female was stricken out, your Institution is now and will henceforth be known & distinguished as the “Vassar College” Poughkeepsie. We are indebted chiefly to Mrs. Sarah J. Hale of Phil’a[Philadelphia] for the suggestion of this change of titleand I would now advise that the middle marble slab with the words Female be removed, and [in its] place filled up with brick. Since our last Annual meeting considerable new additions and improvements have been made on the College grounds. A Riding School and Gymnasium Buildings has been built and is admitted by good judges to be the best fitted and best arranged establishment of the kind in this Country. It is in length 156 feet. It is in width 130 feet covered with double x Tin and Slate, walls of Brick with Blue Stone trimmings. It contains a music hall 30 x 52, a Gymnasium Hall 81 x 30, a Bowling Alley (unfinished) 82 x 30 and apartments for the accommodation of several familys[sic], a carpenter & joiner shops, stalls for stabling 20 to 25 Horses, harness, closets etc etcBaron von Seldeneck has charge of all the Riding School department and Miss E. M. Powell a Lady of distinguished merit in the Gymnastic exercises, who by a letter I hold in my hands which I will read directly, reccommends[sic] to your consideration some improvements or arrangements in the apparatus of the rooms. Among other physical Exercises the subject of teaching dancing has been presented to your Ex[ecutive] Committee for thier[sic] considerations and been urged by many Citizens. Besides the attention in the Christian Community has been awakened by recent written articles pro & con on these question[s]. The latest are essays dilivered[delivered] at the “International Convention of Young Mens Christian Association” held in Albany last June by the Rev..d[Reverend] Marvin R. Vincent Pastor of the first Prespeterian[Presbyterian] Church of Troy, and a reply thereto by the Rev..d[Reverend] E. K. Keyes Pastor of the Medthodist[sic] Episcopal Church Po’Keepsie[Poughkeepsie] on the “Incompatibillity[sic] of amusements with Christian Life etc.both being able written papers I present them for your examination etc. I had however years previous made up my judgement on those great questions in the religious point of view and came to a favorable decission[sic] on the subject altho’[although] I never practic..d[practiced] public dancing in my file and yet in view of its being a healthy and gracefull[sic] exercise, I heartly[sic] approved of it and now reccommend[sic] its being taught in the College to all such pupils whose parents or guardians desire it. The gross Cost of the Gymnasium Building wills its appurtenances is some $46,000, yet notwithstanding this large expenditure, its income from pupils for these physical exercise will more than pay the interest on its cost. I would now reccommend[sic] some additional finish on the Centrel[sic] front of the main Edifice to break the long plain sweep of the heavy Cornish. Also the putting up Lightning Rods, and the erection of a few sheds for protection of Coal from wether[sic] etc.[I] would also advise the construction of a Dam or Pond at the junction of the streams of Caspir’s Kill & waters of “Mill-Cove Brook” so graphically discribed[sic] by Mr. Lossing in his history “Vassar and the Founder,” for the purpose of erecting Bathing Houses, and the planting of Willow Shades trees to Screen the building from public view etc The first year’s trial of your College workings were rather experimental and in common with all new schemes and Enterprises undefined and indefinite subsequent practice by actual verities has fully demonstrated that in the main we were right and now that all doubts of its future workings with success has been removed, our bark once more may venture upon the sea of ordinary mental upheaving & frictions of interlects[sic] incident to educational voyages etc. First with regard to the interior official management of the College it is not my speial[special] province or duty to speak - these matters will be laid before you by the proper heads of the several departments. In those that pertains to the Exterior conductment[sic] perhaps it would be well to consider & examine more in detail. First considerable expenditure has and must continue to occur in this branch of the College department, but wether[sic] there is not room for retrenchments & yet progressive improvements, is for you gentlemen Trustees to consider, and direct, I make these suggestions in order that some permanent system of opperations[sic] may be adopted to guide your superintendant[sic], I fear the interest of your College has suffered for want of system. It is for you to determine on a plan of improvement and place it the hands of your Agent to work it out, and I would suggest wether[sic] it would not be wise for that Agent to live in the College, in order that he could have a constanteye and supervission[sic] over its internal and external affairs pertaining to his duties, the lack of his personal presence cannot be fully estimated but the old proverb has it that the “eye of the master is worth two of his servants” much would be saved, as it often happens that wrong doings by unskillfull[sic] opperations[sic] that work has to be done over again - your Honorable Chairman with his large & long experience will join me in this fact. It has been suggested by your Executive Chairman Doct[or] Bishop that an enlargement be made to the Dinning[sic] Hall, and also some additional Lodging rooms for 50 more pupils, and that this enlargement be made by adding the rear hall at the East end of the Dinning[sic] Room and for the additional Lodgning apartments the rooms now occupied by the Servants, for the pupils, and to finish off part of the basement for the lodging rooms of the Servants. But I much question the policy of these suggestions, especialy[sic] as cheaper & better accommodationscan be obtained by the erection of a Building in the rear of the College 15 or 20 feet distance, connected by a row which I expected Architect Mr. Wood to have furnish’d me a draft or sketch off to accompanied[accompany] these suggestions, which Building would have provided 20 to 30 sleeping Rooms for your Domestics etc and thus be always near thier[sic] work & retired from the College proper - by this arrangement we could then accommodate 50 more pupils, and then raise your terms of Tuition etc etc to $500. The more I reflect on this subject, the more I am satisfied of its policy, that is, to do things better than the best if possible and charge accordingly, at least I made my money by this rule, almost the whole community are expecting an advance of your terms next Fall, this would enable you to take some beneficiry[beneficiary] student. A number of visitors this past year has asked wether[sic] we were not intending to raise our terms. Your terms Gentlemen are below the average prices of other Seminary’s[Seminaries] of Learning in this City and greatly below those in the City of New York[,] Albany etc. As physical health is more or less indebted to physical resolutions and vigor, I recommend progression in this department by the erection of a few Simple Things, on cross frame works located on the Lawns, for while we are expending so liberally for the mind, I would urge that some usefull[sic] comforts should be made for the well being of the corporal man, and would therefore suggest the erection of a Building for the special training in the Knowledge of the Cullenary[Culinary] Art, where such pupils with the consent of thier[sic] Parents or guardians may be instructed how to make a pudding, boil an egg, cook a potatoe[sic], prepare a dinner, make a Bed and in fine arrange in a proper the affairs of the household etc. Simple as these things appear they are the fruits of long thoughts & reflection, and that there is nothing more needed than order & fitness in things in domestic economy life, for without such provisions all is discord & confusion, like old “Hogarths” burlesque drawings in grouping perspectives etc. I would now call your attention to the suggestion and recommendation of your Ex[ecutive] Committee that a full history of your College and its Founder ought to be written, this has through by instrumentality and expense been done and handsomely done, by your associate Trustee Benson J. Lossing Esq. costing some $8000 for 2000 copies, or $4 p[er] copy, and I now present you Gentlemen Trustees with each a copy enclosed in past Board Covers with the Complements of the Founder. The importance of this history can only be appreciated by the magnitude, character & duration of your Institution, without it antiquarians will seek in vain for its history, after our bodies lie crumbling in the grave. In conextion[connection] with the same idea at[of] a monument or Statue, of the Founder, has been suggested. Altho’[although] the delicacy of the subject admonish[es] my silence, and would not now bring it to your notice but to redeem my promise to a Young Lady Artist of our City, who has already executed an exceeding fine Bust of your humble Servant in marble, and now proposes to construct a modelin Clay for a Bronse[sic] Stature[Statue] of 7 feet hight[height], at her own cost and risk, and if not approved by a Committe[sic] of your own selection, no charge will be made, but if approved the terms to be settled between them and her, but as intimated above the delicacy of the subject forbids my urging it upon your Consideration, but should you decide favorably, the Founder will advance the means to pay for the same & its erection and like your B&M on the premises. This Lady Artist name is Mrs. Laura S. Hoffmann. It is contemplated to erect the Statue within the circle fronting the main entrance of the College. I had the promise from Architect Mr. Wood on Saturday last week for a rought[rough] drawing of the same with the proposed Collenade[sic] or what the French calls in thier[sic] parlance “Porte-Cocher”[sic] but in this [I] was disappointed. The Collenade[sic] would be both an ornament & comfort to visitors in stormy or hot weather While making these improvements I would advise the painting of the Farm Buildings, mill & dwelling house, whitewashing the Ice House, also puttingup Lighting[Lightning] Rods on them, and on the Gymnasium & Riding School Buildings, and the erection of a few sheds for the College fuel coal etc. Also the Bridging of the upper end of the lake or Mill Pond, by a light suspension wire foot-path crossing, directly in range with the East boundary line of your grounds & opposite the Gate Lodge, which crossing would save a walk of an quarter of a mile coming out at “Wheeler” farm house on plank Road. Since our last Annual Meeting an increased public favor & popularity in this and other Countries to the Credit and honor of your Institution has been widely disemmated[disseminated]. Letters from distinguished Individuals in science Litterature[sic] and Art, has been received, bearing high testimony to those facts and I would here call your attention to one, a Gentlemen amateur Ornithologist, living in this vicinity, a comparitive[sic] stranger to most of the Committe[sic] of the College have out of his benificent[sic] heart donated to the Institution a Cabinet of Birds etc with all the Glass cases.of not less than $5000, that Gentlemen’s name is, J. P. Giraud Jn’r[Junior], and I recommend your Board to pass a suitable Ressolutions[sic] of thanks and place them in his hands and on the Files of the Archives of the Institution etc. Refering[sic] again to the financial affairs of your College, I recommend the setting apart a Fund for the express purpose of paying the contingent running expenses of repairs to the College buildings & grounds, the Interest of which fund only to be used. And in closing these remarks I would here say that I do not contemplate all the suggestions herein made to be literarly[literally] executed at once, but by degrees, as circumstances may from time to time warrant, yet I do hope the College nett[sic] income may be such as to justify their being done soon & even then my purposes & plans will not all be completed. Progress is my watchword. Refering[sic] again to the office department of your College, I would reccommend[sic] the appointment of a sub clerk as an assistant to your Treasuer[Treasurer] & present BooKeeper[Book Keeper] Mr. Schou, the former feeling his duties too ardous[arduous] & confining, besides long experience has taught me in buisness[sic] purpsuits[pursuits] always to have more than one string to your Bow, which is econmy[economy] in the long run. Your Treasuer[sic] M[atthew] Vassar Jr. will lay before you a report on the financial condition of the College, prospects etc. Your Sectary[Secretary] & Superintendent Mr. Swan will afford you in his statement the general condition of the material outside matters both embraced in the efficent[sic] able accounts keep’d[kept], by your Clerk & his assistants in the most sattisfactory[sic] manner. I close this address with the request that it be filed with my former ones in the Archives of the College. I only add, that I would reccommend[sic] that our future meetings hereafter be held on the commencement day week of the College. M. V.Now Gentlemen, Having given you a brief statement of the generalties[sic] of the materials, or outside matters, of your College, I wish I could close my remarks here, but genlemen[gentlemen] there has some occurrences transpired within the past year among your Faculty & Professors which I deeply regret, and would not now allude to them had they not been forced upon for my Consideration. I allude to the “Resignation” of Professor Knapp, an event as sudden as it was unexpected, and perhaps just one of those cases incident to College [experiences] which is not easely[easily] prevented or provided for. It seems that some disagreement with him has occured[sic] between the President & Lady Principal as to the extent of thier[sic] official prerogatives, which has been the occasion of some misunderstanding & consequent unpleasant feeling. While Prof[essor] Knapp has discharged his dutys[sic] with remarkable abillity[sic], zeal, and industry, securing to his credit the favor & Love of all his classes, there seems to have been some element of discord to have cramped & retarded his efforts, of which he complainsand has in consequence tendered his Resignation to your Ex[ecutive] Committe[sic]. This[,] gentlemen[,] is a delicate and difficult subject to be dealt with, but is one which must be met with discretion, and prompness[promptness], as the remidy[sic] now applied will be a precedent for your or your successors future guidance in all of the time. I hope your Honorable Board will give it all that consideration of the subject demands, after obtaining from the parties all the facts in the case, and do all in your power to remove the causes for his resignation, and retain him if possible. One word more before I close this address, and that is, a I have o request of this Honorable Board of Trustees, that they respectively furnish the College at thier[sic] own expense a half Length Portrait of themseves[themselves], which I shall regard as a complement to me, and respond to it by a written note & have them hung up in the Gallery of Fine Arts in the College, that future generations mayknow who my dignified friends were that I called to my assistance around me when I commencd[sic] this great educational work for woman.Founder’s Address Read in Board of Trustees June 25 1867 C. Swan Sec[retary]
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Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
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June 20, 1867
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Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Thursday, 20th June, 1867. My Dear Mrs. Hale: It is so long since I have had the pleasure to read and answer your valued letters that I began to surmise you had forgotten me, but I am again reminded this morning that I am not, but on my return from the College "commencement Exer'ces" received yours of yesterday or rather last Mondays date. The "commencement" day was lovely, and our Chapel was crowded to access, seating some 800, I enclose you a...
Show morePoughkeepsie, N.Y., Thursday, 20th June, 1867. My Dear Mrs. Hale: It is so long since I have had the pleasure to read and answer your valued letters that I began to surmise you had forgotten me, but I am again reminded this morning that I am not, but on my return from the College "commencement Exer'ces" received yours of yesterday or rather last Mondays date. The "commencement" day was lovely, and our Chapel was crowded to access, seating some 800, I enclose you a programme of the first days entertainment, will send you the proceedings of the second & third when published. I also send by this mornings mail, another paper containing an account of the Founders day, and another of a Pic-Nic party I gave the YoungLadies and Teachers at my Country Seat "Springside" on Satur- day the 8th instant. This day was also charming, some 1000 guest attending. I made a Short address to them and after the Banquet of speeches, eatable collations &c rambled through the Groves & over the lawns till sunset when by arrangement carrages were in readiness to take them back----- that is-----all who wish to ride to the College. I deeply regret that your health would not allow your presence yesterday. I had reserved a special seat for you at the Chapel and Dinning Saloon, asside of the President & Lady Principal, and some distinguished visitors, guests, but I suppose your affliction of the eyes prevented your attendance. 32i3 June 20, 1867 I remain Dear Mrs. Hale Your true friend Matthew Vassar
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Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
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June 15, 1867
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Saturday Morning June 15tlx 1867 Benson J, Lossing Esq . My dear Sir I have always found it some advantage to sleep at least one Night over any important buisness subject. The suggestion you made to me concerning the gratuitous distribution of your History &c of the College to the pupils &c, at ltVassar,n at first impressed me favorably, but on further reflec- tion I reversed that opinion, thinking the precedent once set of giving, would be difficult to discontinue, but I have thought...
Show moreSaturday Morning June 15tlx 1867 Benson J, Lossing Esq . My dear Sir I have always found it some advantage to sleep at least one Night over any important buisness subject. The suggestion you made to me concerning the gratuitous distribution of your History &c of the College to the pupils &c, at ltVassar,n at first impressed me favorably, but on further reflec- tion I reversed that opinion, thinking the precedent once set of giving, would be difficult to discontinue, but I have thought it would be policy to present the Officers & Ladies Teachers each a Copy and there Stop, and even then this would not be a president, if it were understood that you had any interest in it &c-, However if you can make it convenent call and see me this Morning and Oblige Your Humble Servt, Matthew Vassar
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Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
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June 13, 1867
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Thursday Evening My dear Miss Stilson I received your8 of the IIth inst, appologising for your and other pupils at " Vassar " in not seeming civil at the parting on Saturday Eves PicNic at " Springside ". I assure you my dear Miss S. that was no fault of yours or your companions, I noticed your intentions while passing the door of my Cottage, but your good Lady Principal Miss L. fancied / was tired and beconied your advance while / would have been glad to have taken each...
Show moreThursday Evening My dear Miss Stilson I received your8 of the IIth inst, appologising for your and other pupils at " Vassar " in not seeming civil at the parting on Saturday Eves PicNic at " Springside ". I assure you my dear Miss S. that was no fault of yours or your companions, I noticed your intentions while passing the door of my Cottage, but your good Lady Principal Miss L. fancied / was tired and beconied your advance while / would have been glad to have taken each of you by the hand, had an oppertunity offered. I am pleased to think you all enjoyed the repast &c, Truly a Kind Providence greatly favord us in the weather, the day was charming, so were all the sor- roundings &c. I feel sad to think how we shall sep- erate, perhaps some us forever. Good bye my dear friend for to-day, I hope to meet you on Commence- ment Week. Yours very truly &c &c Matthew VassarJune 13, 1867 (date penciled on envelope).
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Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
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May 4, 1867
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VASSAR FEMALE COLLEGE Poughkeepsie, N. Y., May 4th 1867 My dear Miss Stilson I feel disappointed & grived to think I have not seen you within speakable distance so long a time but circumstances of a personal nature has prevented, Of course I saw you, saw your sweet lips move, heard the sound of your melodous voice on the Anniversary Eve- ning, but that8 all, did not hear one word distinctedly, I think I saw you once in the Corrodors or refreshment room, however be that as it may, I have...
Show moreVASSAR FEMALE COLLEGE Poughkeepsie, N. Y., May 4th 1867 My dear Miss Stilson I feel disappointed & grived to think I have not seen you within speakable distance so long a time but circumstances of a personal nature has prevented, Of course I saw you, saw your sweet lips move, heard the sound of your melodous voice on the Anniversary Eve- ning, but that8 all, did not hear one word distinctedly, I think I saw you once in the Corrodors or refreshment room, however be that as it may, I have just finished reading your " Colloquy " so kindly sent me yesterday on the "_Triumph of Progress"—a Composition worthy of the claims of more matured and older inter- acts, but where are they in " Vassar College " &c to be found. Excuse briefity—the doorBell Rings, &c. Yrs truly* M. VassarMiss G. L. Stilson Vassar College
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Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
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May 1, 1867
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Rev[erend] Dr Downing My dear Sir, I see your work of the 12th [cement] and would with much pleasure have met you at the [Hotell] on your arrival but have business … at the College this morning - please to take a Carrage[sic] & come directly out - send your card to the business offices & I will meet you In haste Yours truly MV Vassar College. Poughkeepsie, N. Y., June 1st, 1867. Dear Sir, You are hereby notified that an Annual Meeting of the Trustees of this College will be held at...
Show moreRev[erend] Dr Downing My dear Sir, I see your work of the 12th [cement] and would with much pleasure have met you at the [Hotell] on your arrival but have business … at the College this morning - please to take a Carrage[sic] & come directly out - send your card to the business offices & I will meet you In haste Yours truly MV Vassar College. Poughkeepsie, N. Y., June 1st, 1867. Dear Sir, You are hereby notified that an Annual Meeting of the Trustees of this College will be held at the College Building on Tuesday, the 25th day of June, instant, at 10 o’clock, A. M. The present College year will close on Wednesday, the 19th instant. There will be public exercises by the pupils, on Monday evening, the 17th; also on the next day, and closing Wednesday morning; to all of which yourself and family are cordially invited. Very Respectfully, C. Swan, Sec[retary] & c.
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Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
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April 20, 1867
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Vassar Female College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y. April 20th 1864 J. W. Giraud Esq My dear friend I have again the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt and reply to another of your valued notes emanating from your generous gift to “Vassar College”, a Cabinet of Ornithology, and I do with profound sattisfaction[sic] not only value it for its intrinsic marketable worth, but also for your sensible suggestions with reference to the future enlargement of our Cabinet, now untill[sic] your addition quite in...
Show moreVassar Female College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y. April 20th 1864 J. W. Giraud Esq My dear friend I have again the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt and reply to another of your valued notes emanating from your generous gift to “Vassar College”, a Cabinet of Ornithology, and I do with profound sattisfaction[sic] not only value it for its intrinsic marketable worth, but also for your sensible suggestions with reference to the future enlargement of our Cabinet, now untill[sic] your addition quite in an incipient state, I shall with much pleasure avail myself of the oppertunity[sic] suggested by you to put into your hands at an early day a few copies of Mr. Lossing for its coming work on the rise and progress of the College. May I ask wether[sic] you will favor me withthe names that you intend to present them to and I will write in the fly-leaf of each copy thus “J. W. Girard Esq[“] as a small testimony of respect for his generous Gift a beautifull[sic] cabinet of preserved “Birds etc” to “Vassar College,” Po’Keepsie April 1864. M. Vassar Founder, V. College Your intimation of Doct[or] Gay’s superior collection of “shells” unqualed[unequaled] in this Country and perhaps in Europe “Willed” to the Lycenne of Natural History N. Y., of course I would not covet , yet, I cannot but hope that circumstances may ultimately place them in our possession. In one respect our College (excuse my vanity) is prefferable[sic] , that is, far removed from fire or floods, standing in the great high way and mart of central commerce and travel, about equal distances from the metropolis of the great State of N. York Boston, Hartford, and Albany, within almost speaking distance of the large adjacent towns on the beautiful and much travelled “Hudson”, and last but not least the College experiment has passed the “Rubercon”[Rubicon] it is now under two years trial a fixed fact. With a few more such spirited benefactors as yourself to aid me in thier[sic] wisdom and experience etc I have no fear that “Vassar College” will become one of the Lions of the literature age and you my dear Mr. Giraud havedone a work that will give it an impetus that will reach down to ages yet unborn. May our heavenly Father bless you and spare your valuable life many, many years, is the sincere prayer of your friend. Matthew Vassar Founder of Vassar College
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Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
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April 19, 1867
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Vassar Female College Poughkeepsie, N. Y., April 19th 1867 Miss Eva Goodrich Dear Madam Enclosed please to find a circular of our College, I would also have sent you a “Catalouge”[Catalogue], but our last issue are all given out, the new ones will be forthcoming the 1st of June. If you decide upon coming to our institution you must apply early, as several applied too late for the past term, being full. Yours Respectfully etc. M. Vassar
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Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
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March 22, 1867
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Poughkeepsie March 22.. 1867 My dear Mrs Hale first Several years has passed and gone since I had the pleasure and honor of your acquaintence as a correspondent, and I now think it full time that the further pleasure of seeing you were enjoyed, but,I find my health too feeble to admit of a trip to your city, especialy at this enclement season, therefore unless you do me the honor of a visit some time the ensuing summer I am fearfull we shall never greet each other in this life, and if we...
Show morePoughkeepsie March 22.. 1867 My dear Mrs Hale first Several years has passed and gone since I had the pleasure and honor of your acquaintence as a correspondent, and I now think it full time that the further pleasure of seeing you were enjoyed, but,I find my health too feeble to admit of a trip to your city, especialy at this enclement season, therefore unless you do me the honor of a visit some time the ensuing summer I am fearfull we shall never greet each other in this life, and if we should be so happy as to meet in the world of spirits, how are we to recognise each other there, notwithstand- ing the spiritualist theory of sympathies &c. But to the main point of this note, will you dear Mrs Hale oblige me with your photograph; I enclose you two of mine, one with view of College and other with the gymnasium & Riding School &c. Harris Jones Esqr counsellor at Law in your City called at my domicil a few days since andleft his card, had I seen him I intended to send the enclosed, and some photograph views of College and surround- ings, by him. Do you know MF. Jones & Lady. I am happy to hear that the good work of the "Womens Union Mis- sion'1 &c is gaining friends. I most heartly pray for its success &c. I remain dear Mrs Hale Yours very truly &c 324 M- VassarM. Vassar answered March 26th Mrss. Sarah. J. Hale N 1413 Locust Street Philadelphia
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Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
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March 7, 1867
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Poughkeepsie, N.Y., March 7* 1867 My dear Mrs Hale Your esteemed letter of the .4.. current came duly to hand with enclosed Slip of "Womans Union Missionary Soc" meeting held in N.Y. on the 10.. ultimo. Previous engagements hinder?. me from reading it till last evening. I think the remarks of the several gentlemen who spoke on the occasion opportune & interesting, especially those of the Rev.. Joseph Scudder the native missionary of India. I was not aware before reading the...
Show morePoughkeepsie, N.Y., March 7* 1867 My dear Mrs Hale Your esteemed letter of the .4.. current came duly to hand with enclosed Slip of "Womans Union Missionary Soc" meeting held in N.Y. on the 10.. ultimo. Previous engagements hinder?. me from reading it till last evening. I think the remarks of the several gentlemen who spoke on the occasion opportune & interesting, especially those of the Rev.. Joseph Scudder the native missionary of India. I was not aware before reading the latter that the Literture of that country was 300 years older than the Christian era, nor the language of the "Hindoos'1 so elevated and refinedbut they greatly lack the "one thing needfull" to make them a good, great, and strong nation, to-wit, a pure system of Christian Theology. There is however a sublimity in thier Paganism,- the worshiping of a plurality of gods under the Kidea of Gold, in "Is not gold one thing even if divided into integral parts, "so is our God",. The though reminds me of a Stanzas of "Pope" in his Essay on Man. all "That, changd throf and yet in all the same; Great in the earth as in the etheral frame; xsaaxin the sun, refreshes in the breese, Glows in the stars & blossoms on the trees; Lives through all life, extends through all extent, . Spreads undivided, operate unspent." &c Can any though be more sublime & lofty to express omniscience, beni- ficence &Love.----l I think at no distant day our College may send out some missionaries to these heathen lands. How would it do for "Vassar"? I intend to propose it.-- I will hand yf article to our Lady Principal Miss Lyman, she has quite a missionary Spirit,- No Ladys Book recd yet. Yrs &c M. VassarN.B. Did I even send you a little poem essay by one of young Lady pupils call.r. "Hill-top Idyl", delivered at the College on the "Founder3 Day" celebration 29""1 April '66, while looking up some paper in my folio found one of them, and will send you it if you wish &c M.V. 323
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Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
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February 22, 1867
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Poughkeepsie Febuary 22. 1867 My dear Mrs Hale Your very kind note of the 19.. current with enclosures is received, re-assureing me of your continued regards &c since I wrote you I think on the first instant (as I did not retain a copy) I had concluded that it must have miscaried, or that you were absent or sick, but this me or rather yesterday3 morning mail relieved of these forebodings r- I am happy once more to see the familiar handwriting of my long tried friend, and equaly so to...
Show morePoughkeepsie Febuary 22. 1867 My dear Mrs Hale Your very kind note of the 19.. current with enclosures is received, re-assureing me of your continued regards &c since I wrote you I think on the first instant (as I did not retain a copy) I had concluded that it must have miscaried, or that you were absent or sick, but this me or rather yesterday3 morning mail relieved of these forebodings r- I am happy once more to see the familiar handwriting of my long tried friend, and equaly so to reply, altho1 as you must perceive that am loosing in vigor some degree my former ^fjt of correspondence, &c I am pleased with your notice of "Vassar College11 for the next num- ber of the f,Ladys Book". The article on "Women of China" and "Branch Missions" &c is well timed & interesting, please to accept the enclosed donation for that noble work, because you purpose to send Women and not Lord Female missionaryr-may the bless & help on the good work. I was not aware that a Year had expiredsince ray last payment for the "Lady3 Book" but on refering to my Cash or mem. a/c I find it expired on the 29H1 January^- I herewith enclose" you $13, which please to pay Mr. Godey & Co for one year in advance, Commencing with the Febuary number, and the ballance pay to.the "Branch Mission". T will send you our next College Report as soon as issued which will not be long. I remain Dr Mrs Hale N.B. I send my check on our truly yr friend F.M. & National Bank in lieu of M. Vassar Bills. J^f^/ I presume you can collect it thro1 y Banks 121
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Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
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February 22, 1867
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VASSAR FEMALE COLLEGE, Poughkeepsie, N.Y. February ZZ„ 1867 My dear Mr Los sing, I have read your note of this morning and in reply would say, that the whole affair is in your hands & keeping, therefore do in the matter as you may deem for the best &c- I told MfSwan that to like purport &c------ 1 am dear Sir Your Obed* Serv* M. Vassar
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Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
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February 15, 1867
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Vassar Female College. Poughkeepsie, N. Y. February 15 1867 Benseon J. Lossing Esq My dear Sir Since my note of yesterday morning it has occured[sic] to me that you ought to procure of E. B. Osborn Esq an account from his “Daily Press” of last April of the celebration of my last Birth-day at the College. If an Engraving could be made of that scene which thousands witnesseth’d[witnessed[, it would be a nice feature in the book. The scene was represented by some 400 young Ladies pupils & as...
Show moreVassar Female College. Poughkeepsie, N. Y. February 15 1867 Benseon J. Lossing Esq My dear Sir Since my note of yesterday morning it has occured[sic] to me that you ought to procure of E. B. Osborn Esq an account from his “Daily Press” of last April of the celebration of my last Birth-day at the College. If an Engraving could be made of that scene which thousands witnesseth’d[witnessed[, it would be a nice feature in the book. The scene was represented by some 400 young Ladies pupils & as many more visitors citizens inside of the College walls filling the windows & door openings. The whole of the former, arranged in double file, on either side of the broard[broad] Avenue entrance from the College to the Gale-Lodge, when PresidentRaymond & self passed under the Gate Archway in our private carrage[sic] with uncovered heads saluting with usual pagentry[sic] the assembled multitude with the imposing ceremonies of eclect[various ceremonies] waving of hats & Hand here … etc etc. I do not know wether[sic] you were present at this scene or not, suffice to say it was a Grand affair got up and carried through in honor of the founder’s Birth-day utterly without his Knowledge and which day (29th April) is hereafter to be annualy[sic] observed by the College as a holiday or festival by the Young Ladies pupils etc I have just received a note from Mr. Swan, saying, that he will sketch off immediately our European tour in 1845. I have several views which I purchased in Naples of various scenes in Italy, among them the Eruption of Mt. Vesuvius a few months previous to our arrival, the running mass of Lava had not cooled, and I send you a specimen which I poked at with a rough cane containing a piece of Pope Pious currency embeded[sic] while in its bloodily or fusiable[sic] state. I have also a wood cut print of the view of the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 1845, the mode of travelers Acsension[sic] to the Crater in that year, the route changes occasion-[occasionally]-ly[occasionally] by each successive Eruption, at least so we were informed by our Guides, our ascent & decent[descent] in the night was I remember, throught[sic] hot cinders & ashes, but being prepared for the purpose at the “Hermatage”[sic] or half way station with suitable books & garmants[sic] we worked our way up and down as the accompanying picture will explain. I have in my Cabinet many specimen of collections obtained abroad, in England, Scotland, Ireland, & different points on the Continent, the fact is had we have kep’d[kept] a Diary or Journals of our Travels during that trip it would made as large a volume as your “Hudson from the wilderness to the Sea”, I hope your life will be spared to visit Europe, as you are so capable of telling and writing what you see & hear, while millions goes and comes, sees but little & tells less. Like the Yankie[sic] who first sail the Cataract of the Grand & Sublime “Niagra” ejackaled - by ones, what a fine place for a “Grid Mill”. You will excuse this [lengthy] note, I only intended in the beginning to say to you that whatever materials I have and you want to embody in the history of the College or its founder you are welcome too[sic] etc. Yours Ob. Sev. M. Vassar Satturday[sic] Morn. 2nd Feby[February] P.S. since writing the foregoing I pikced up in my Library a little [s]ketch written impromptu a few years since, on the occasion of the demise of a favorite Dog, the circumstances of his death & being much liked, by the children of the neighborhood was often required about by them & to sattisfy[sic] their curiosity with this brief sketch, my head go round so this merry can scarcely with - Yrs[Yours] MV Please do send me word if you will need any of the above ketchs[sic] MV
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Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
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February 12, 1867
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\ February lOP1 1867 Rev?. F.B. Wheeler Pastor o£ First Presby11 Church Poughkeepsie Dear Sir This permit will allow you & your friends to visit "Vassar College" at all times suiting your convenience. Your Obed Servant &c M.. Vassar P.S. I enclose cards to Springside and College M.V.
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