Edward N. Kirk to Richard Yates

Phila August 2 1865 Hon Richard Yates Dear Sir

Your letter of July 22nd is rec'd and is not [late?] for my purpose. I arrived in the city too late to secure a suitable house or to accomplish anything of importance for the fall session- I hope to be all settled by the February term. I cannot sufficiently thank you for your correspondence to my request for the use of your honored name; I think I appreciate the full value of your generous offer-Twas almost a assumption for a stranger to make such a request of you, 'twas noble and generous of you to grant it. When I sent my letter to you I felt that you would be justified in refusing but for some reason which I cannot explain I believed you would gratify me. I think to expect this kindness was to be in keeping with my [conception?] ---- of the character of our noble Ex Governor; a conception formed from the record of his public life and services, a record everywhere marked by words and deeds of benevolent kindness, and which has endeared him to the hearts of Illinoisans no less than his scholarly statesmanship. His kind letter did not disappoint me, and I felt a thrill of gratification that I has not miscalculated the strength of the feeling which you have always shown for Ills officers & men, their misses and children. The words of justice which you give for any precious Husband, I have read over and over again. They shall be [illegible] into the treasury, the portion of my heart which I reserve for all such tribute to the dear dead hero whose love & memory are enshrined there,-For the great blackness which the war has cast about me, there is little else that has given cheering and comforting light as words of praise for my husband.In my earliest knowledge of him I beheld what is in him, which when grown and strengthened makes men honored & great. ---- In our married life of nearly eight most happy years, which his great generous heart to me all [unveiled?], so full of earnest life purpose, so eager on the fulfilment of his life's watchword "onward", so fearless and brave-so like a gentle woman in his kindness I have felt, for the world to know him as I know him, would make him what he truly was, " A man among men". And was the sweet incense of praise which come circling around his name from the lips of gifted and honored friends, meets from my heart a warm, quick response, for I know him well hero worthily it is bestowed and then goes out from my heart a blessing upon those who recognize the virtues of him whose name I am so [illegible] to hear, Your candid endorsement of my husband and your disinterested efforts for him were always a matter of pride and gratification to my Husband, and not less so to his wife.

It will certainly be agreeable and a sincere pleasure to me to see Gov Yates ----when he visits Phila if he can find time from his numerous friends here. I will be in at 281 North 12th st until I become established in my Seminary. When that occurs I may trouble you with my circulars. If I have trespassed too long upon your valuable time, I may please plead "not guilty"Your [illegible] kindness having called forth this lengthy intercession.

With sincere respect and warm appreciation of your kindness Your very [ineligible] Mrs Edw d W Kirk