“May your efforts be crowned with all the good-fortune you may desire, even if it be to place you side by side with the biggest of the big merchant princes of the Empire City, is the sincere prayer of
“Your friend,
“Wells Lathrop.”
“Springfield, Mass., March 8, ’53.
“My Dear Sir,—Your very kind favor of the 7th is just received.
“I enclose a satisfaction or discharge of the judgment you hold vs. H. & L., which, when you have dated and signed in presence of a witness, will become perfect.
“If the pleasure of giving is greater than receiving then you are far more happy than President Pierce or any of his Cabinet.
“Most sincerely, your friend,
“C. Howard.
“C. W. Field, Esq., New York.”