I have just returned from Chicago and find your letter of the 8th, to which my son, as he did not send it to me, probably replied. But as I find no record of the reply, in his absence I will say that brief biographies are to be found in both Appleton’s and Johnston’s Cyclopedias. I have not the latest edition of Appleton here, but presume that it contains some reference, not in the first edition, to what I suppose, from a historical point of view, is the most important circumstance of my life—the organization of the executive service of the Sanitary Commission of the War of the Rebellion. If not, Stille’s “History of the U.S. Sanitary Commission” would give sufficient information for your purpose on that point. Something will be found also in a little History of the Origin of the Union League Club, by Dr. Bellows. Both books will be found, I presume, in the Library of the Union League Club, or in the Aster Library.

I will remember what you wish of Mr. Vanderbilt.

Yours Truly