Correspondence (incoming): Stewart, William M. (photocopies from originals at Nevada Historical Society), 1894-1895

[modern? notation] Vol 19 W. M. Stewart Letter - book p 434 Nevada Historical Society [/modern? notation]

June 23, 1894.

My dear Mrs. Stanford:

I deeply sympathize with you on account of the annoyance occasioned by the foolish attempt to charge your husband's estate with the indebtedness of the Pacific Railroads. There is certainly no liability of stockholders in the Central Pacific Railroad to the Government, and the courts must so declare. But in the meantime it must be regretted by all good people that you should be annoyed or impeded in the great work in which you and your late husband so nobly engaged.

I enclose you a letter signed by a large number of Senators, expressing their views and sympathy, which you are at liberty to use in any way you deem proper.

.................................................................. Yours, sincerely,

.................................................................. Wm M Stewart

Mrs. Leland Stanford,

Palo Alto, California.

[modern notation] Vol 19 W. M. Stewart Letter - book p. 435 Nevada Historical Society [/modern notation]

June 23, 1894.

To Mrs. Leland Stanford:

We regret that there should have been any attempt to impugn the motives of your late husband in devoting his fortune to the cause of education. Senator Perkins who was familiar with the facts, fully refuted the suggestion and made it clear that no motive of personal pique or of rivalry to the State University entered into the benevolent designs of Senator Stanford in establishing the Leland Stanford, Jr., University. We who knew Senator Stanford well, and honor his memory for his great and charitable undertaking, assure you that his good name cannot be injured by attributing to him selfish or unworthy motives in devoting his time and fortune for the benefit of the present generation and of generations to come. We hope you will not allow this or any other unpleasant incident to disturb your peace of mind while engaged in [consummating?] the great work to which yourself and your husband devoted your lives and fortunes. We do not think anything has been said that will in the slightest degree inpugn Mr. Stanford's reputation, or that anything will be done which will affect your good work.

Yours, respectfully,

Wm. P. Frye, John H.Mitchell, W. A. Peffer, J. H. Gallinger, Geo. L. Shoup, T. C. Pover, H. O.Lodge, Wm. E. Chandler, James McMillan, Watson Squire, Joseph M. Darcy, W. R. Allison, M. S. Quay, Redfield Proctor, Jos. R. Hawley, John Sherman, R. C. Hansbrough, Wm. M. Stewart, Jno.. F. Jones, Geo. F. Hoar, J. M. Dolph, B. M. Teller, O. H. Platt, Chas. F. Manderson, Geo. O. Perkins, J. D. Cameron, S. M. Cullan, Fred T. Dubois, C. K. Davis, W. D. Washburn, M. W. Aldrich, Eugene Hale, Nathan F. Dixon

[modern note] Vol 19 W. M. Stewart Letter-book p. 959-60 Nevada Historical Society [modern note]

May 8, 1895.

My dear Mrs. Stanford:

Owing to the great mutual affection and respect that your honored husband and myself had for each other, and the sympathy I have for you, impel me to write to you.

I feel that my great familiarity with all matters pertaining to the legislation and the history of the Pacific Railroads would enable me to be of much service in your suit with the Government. No lawyer now living has the same familiarity with the facts upon which the equities of your case depend. I desire, first, to serve you, and by serving you, serve myself.

I am anxious to pay the debt I owe you, and should contribute in that way to accomplish that purpose. The depression in real estate has embarrassed me and prevented sales of the Alameda property for reasonable prices. If the stagnation continues, it is uncertain when that property can be sold. I am, therefore, desirous of applying my services toward the liquidation of that obligation.

I will be in California soon, and will talk the matter over. Several friends have offered to write to you on this subject, but I declined to allow them to do so. I felt that you know me well enough and have in the past attested my friendship

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sufficiently to allow me thus personally to express my desire in this matter. Please write me your views and wishes on this subject, and greatly oblige.

Yours, sincerely,

Mrs. Leland Stanford,

San Francisco, Cal.