March 11, 1864: Randolph A. DeLancey to John Riddle Warner

Rev. John Riddle Warner was the grandfather of the poet Marianne Moore and during the Civil War, he lived in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. These letters are preserved as part of Marianne Moore’s family papers.

Transcript:

119 Harrison Avenue

Boston March 11 1864

Rev. John R. Warner

Gettysburg Penna

Rev & dear Sir:

After consultation with Mr Martin Rev. Dr. Schenck & others of Philadelphia, who are deeply interested in the effort to establish our church enterprise permanently in Boston, I take the liberty to ask you to repeat in the Music Hall in this city your address on the battle of Gettysburg which I have heard mostly highly commended by those who have heard it. We have had a series of lectures for the benefit of our church (1^st Presb’n) by Rev Drs. Rice, Bellows, Hitchcock & M.H Milburn of New York and others. And the committee of the ch. are very desirous to secure one or two more during the present coming months. I very earnestly desire you to come if possible. I think I can get Hon. Edward Everett to preside at the meeting, and so arrange it as to be both pleasant to you & profitable to our struggling church. I will pay all your expenses and shall ask you to accept $25 for your kindness & trouble. I feel ashamed to offer you so small a sum, but as we did not receive enough to pay the expenses of Dr. Bellows lecture (we actually lost $100 by it) we are afraid to commit ourselves to more liberal terms upon the experiment. Perhaps we can do better. Will if we can. Do come if possible. Please give me an early answer & oblige

Yours fraternally & truly,

Randolph A. DeLancey

Please mention the time which will suit you.

N.B.

Philadelphia March 12, I am in this city & Rev Dr. Schenck suggests that if you could procure the use of the map which Mr. ___ the lawyer has who is making an effort to raise a stock company to purchase the battlefield it would add to the interest & attraction of the address. If you can get the loan of it I will pay for the use of it.

Citation: Randolph A. DeLancey, autograph letter signed to John Riddle Warner. Boston, 11 March 1864. Moore VI:6:3