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Answered Aug. 8th

Mr James D. Smillic

Sir

Your favor of July 28 duly received and submitted to my father.  For reasons or without reasons which he does not mention he is averse to signing any papers. He seems to regard the Academy and even New York City in exactly the same conditions as when he left over twenty 


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five years ago, neglecting to take into consideration the advancement of Art and the growth of the City and its upward and tendency. Perhaps one vote will make little difference. My father said "that he approved of the sale of the property at the price mentioned, thought it a desirable and advantageous transaction but considered his name of little consequence."

My father's extreme age has rendered him very