p.1

[in pencil Daughter of Gerrit Smith]

Peterboro March 9, 186? [6]
My Dear Mrs Anneke,
I have hardly the
face [?] to write---[unknown word], after
my long & most unac-
countable neglect! I can-
not explain how it was
that on receiving your
truly welcome letters,
bringing the glad tidings
that you were coming
to America, & giving me
yr. address in New York,
I failed to reply! Through
the summer I was very
busy with visitors, & was
at last confined to my