“Sir,—Yours of 7th February conveying your check on the Union Bank for three hundred eleven 68-100 is received. The receipt of the above is especially gratifying to me as an evidence that there are some honorable exceptions to the rule that legal obligations are the only ones binding on the community. If in the course of any of your business transactions I can be of any service to you, it will be a sincere gratification to me to render to you any personal favors in my power.
“Truly your friend,
“Sam. R. Miller.”
“Westfield, Mass., April 4th, 1853.
“My dear Sir,—Yours of the 1st inst. was received this morning. The time is so short before you leave the country that I shall not probably have time to see all the persons to whom your letters with the checks were enclosed. There is to be a town meeting this afternoon, when perhaps I may see them all. I understand, however, on inquiry at the post-office, that all the letters have been received and duly distributed, and that all of the persons interested have felt very grateful to you for your kindness and generosity, and the reason why they have not answered your letters and acknowledged the receipt of the money was probably that they have been consulting as to the best mode of acknowledgment, and, I believe, have been preparing a public acknowledgment to be published in our Westfield papers, but which has not as yet been quite matured.
“I think you may, however, leave the city with a full assurance that your good intentions in regard to these persons have been fully accomplished and gratefully received, so that in various ways much good will thereby have been done. Captain S. S. Amory has been dead about two years, and his only son is now in California, but his widow, a very worthy woman, is still living, and, I am very sure, feels deeply grateful for this act of kindness, which will aid her very much in her lonely state.
“With my own and Mrs. Fowler’s best regards to yourself and wife, and many wishes for your safe and happy return to your family,
“Truly your friend,
“I. S. Fowler.”
“Mill River, April 17, 1853.