Correspondence (incoming) - C

July 3rd 1889 Hon. Leland Stanford San Francisco,

Sir, The Californian is preparing an illustrated account or description of the Colleges and private schools of this vicinity, and wishes very much to obtain cuts of the "Leland Stanford Jr University", for that purpose. Where can such be obtained - or if not obtainable, can phoographs be had from which cuts may be prepared, general view, main building and any others - also portraits of yourself and son, if thought desirable. As it is the wish to make the article complete and accurate, shall be glad to submit it to you or some one for you. Yours Respectfully The Californian Pub. Co. per R.A. Coleman, [Bas?] Mgr.

[Conway?] Farm [Near?] Holladay P.O. Spotsylvania Co Va Dec 23rd 1885

Hon: Leland Stanford U.S.S. Addressed My dear Sir-

I have a small, but one of the most unique collections of autograph letters to be found, I think, in Virginia, if not in the country - This collection, I wish to dispose of and would be better pleased, to have them placed amongst the archives of some literary Institution, and would respectfully suggest the "Leland Stanford Jr. University" The letters refered to are from those who were makers of American History: and I am perfectly willing to Express the small package to you for the purpose of your having them thoroughly examined

by experts, with regard to their [?]: upon your personal assurance, that no copy shall be taken of any one of them. They have never been in print, or seen by the public. Should you wish to become their purchaser, and will so state, provided they are what they purport to be, I will at once, send them to you by express and you can then make me an offer. The first is from General George Washington. The longest personal letter possibly he ever wrote - It is upon paper much larger than this, and embraces the first, second, and a part of the third pages of a 'fools-cap' sheet. It is dated "White-plains, August 11th 1778," and is a letter of great historical interest, as it shows to the full, what an high order of man its writer was. It was written to one who had been an officer of rank in the army, and who had had some difficulty with col McClanahan - Gen Washington, it seems, from the letter, [betterly?] opposed this officer in his determination to resign his commission

From the letter, it seems, that the officer did, however, resign, and sometime thereafter, it seems, from the letter, the officer who was a [warm?] personal friend of [?] Washingtons, wished to again, go into the [Army?] and wished [?] [to?], to use his influence to that end - This of course, placed the General in a most delicate position: and just here, is where the able, frank, manly, nobility of the man crops out - I feel my face redden, when I remember more than once, in any life to have thought an unrestricted use of pen and ink, had possibly, in a [measure?], molded the character of General Washington as we know it. Now, that I have his letter, 107 years old - I find that mind was the character which was [faulty?] - I know of no letter more fit to be deposited amongst the archives of an institution where [youth?] is to be [trained?] than this letter. Let me commend it to you careful consideration - I regret, that the name of the officer to whom it was addressed does not occur. The

part of the paper containing the address has been carefully removed: no word of the letter, proper, or the signature, has been touched. [Historians?] will, at once, say to whom the letter was addressed - I have regarded it very carefully, and am pretty [sure?] it was addressed to [Major Shones?], of [Cardinal?] [County?] Virginia- [?] [to?] in the letter, mentions that "Col. Lee" (Light [House Starry?]) had brought him the letter, to which his, Washingtons, is an answer There are two letters from Willia Wirt!! Dated at Washington D.C. Feb 4th 1827. The next, is a letter from the Great [Commoner?], Henry Clay - Dated at Washington, Sept 27th 1827. The "[mill-boy?] of the [slashes?]," uses [gilt?] edge paper!! Which [shows?] what [?] will accomplish. The last is from James Buchanan, (afterwards President) Dated at Washington, Dec 13th 1826. All these letters except Washington's, are Port marked, [our?] [franked?] free. [Zr. c/o Srt.?] [Richard?] [Moncure?] Conway