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I do not mind in the least your criticism.  Quite the contrary I am greatful for your kind interest in me and I think you have the right to express yourself as you like.  It has always been the greatest puzzle to me why I should [[strikethrough]] [[?]] [[/strikethrough]] have to be contented with reputation only in America and nothing els and then have to see known midiocre [[mediocre]] men have any success they want.  Only lately there was a man sent to me from West Virginia who was instructed to see me about having 7 portraits painted of Governors of that State for their State house and I was told that the retiring Governor would soon come to Cincinnati and give me sittings.  I suppose that that will be much the same as other promises.  However, the present condition of the Artist