December 10, 1863: Herman Melville to Sophia Van Matre

Melville is writing in response to a request for a donation of autographs from his old letters to be auctioned at the Great Western Sanitary Fair in Cincinnati.  Van Matre had apparently met Melville several years earlier through his friend Sarah Morewood.            

Transcript:

New York Dec. 10^th 1863

My Dear Miss Van Matre:

Owing to my recent return to this, my home town, after a twelve years’ visit to Berkshire, your note was delayed in reaching me.

Though involved in the thousand one botherations included to a removal of one’s household a hundred & sixty miles, the following up & furnishing of a home &c &c, I yet hasten to respond.

I should be very happy indeed to comply with your request to furnish you with autographs from old letters, were it not that it is a vile habit of mine to destroy nearly all my letters. Such as I have by me would hardly be to your purpose.

With lively remembrance of our pick-nicks, & [illeg.] wishes for the success of your Fair

Believe me Very Sincerely Yours

Herman Melville

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