My dear Miss Gilbert
I have scarcely words to express my thanks to you for the magnificent collections of Florah and so beautifully arranged in a fancy Basket &c sent me yesterday, altho I slightly saw them at the Monday Evening Banquet, I had not time to examine their beauty, but yesterday I gave them a full survey.- Doct Bishop Lady & Daughter spent the day with us and there were many calls and all admired the beautiful gift. May you my dear Miss. G. and your Brother the bearer live many, many years is the prayer of your grateful friend.
Matthew Vassar
Founder V. College
N.B. I invited our neighbor florist M. Huggerty in to see the Boquet this morning who brought with him a N. York City amateur, both of whose admiration justifys the above incoming &c M.V.