Correspondence (outgoing)

Copy. Palo Alto, March 14/96 Mary P. Nimmo Balentine,

My dear young friend,

Your letter has just been read to me by my secretary. I value it and your tender interests more than I can express. Please allow me to disclaim any victory on my part. I humbly thank my dear Father in Heaven that he united Heaven with earth to bring about justice to the memory of one whom I hold so dear. I do not look forward

to that ease and serenity which you so kindly wish for me, until the great burden has been lifted, which naturally will follow in settleing up the estate, it will require a long time to adjust it properly, and until it is adjusted, I will not feel at liberty to enjoy the freedom of action and thought, which were once my own, when I had no cares, such as now fall upon me. I am grateful to you and your dear sister Belle

for your interest and your love- Your dear sister Belle, her patient madonna face will never be erased from my mind.

I am glad you have had come into your life the strong protecting love of a husband. I shall think of you with less sorrow than heretofore, and may God bless you both, is my prayer, for I found in you both that tender God germ, which oft times is not developed.

Your grateful friend, Mrs Leland Stanford

Copy. March 15, 1896. Palo Alto, Cal.

S. Goodenough, Sect'y. Cala. Universalist Convention

Your communication dated March 12th received. I have hastily gone through with your letter as my time is very limited, and as you need an answer immediately. I could not for a moment consider the proposal made therein. It is needless for me to go through my various reasons for declining. My husband's estate, as you know is in the Probate Court, and will

not be settled for many many months but my chief, and most important reason is the fact that both Mr. Stanford and myself, have firmly resolved that no professor shall ever be employed in the University who would preach denominational theories of religion. We wish the simple religion of Jesus Christ and His beautiful life held up as an example worthy for all to imitate and the only creed which He subscribed to was His simple sermons on