"I congratulate you upon the success of your business pursuits, which has enabled you thus honorably to liquidate your by-gone pecuniary obligations, and I hope your life and health may be long continued in the enjoyment of the well-earned fruits of your persevering enterprise. "It will always give me great pleasure to see you at my house in Lowell, and I hope to find opportunity during the coming season to visit the Empire City and the World's Fair and to avail myself of that occasion to call upon you. "With much regard, I remain "Yours truly, "JOHN WRIGHT." "PITTSFIELD, _March 3, 1853_. "_My dear Friend_,--The many and various exhibitions of kindness and good-feeling from you heretofore have placed me under very great obligations. "Language fails me to express my feelings on the receipt of your letter of the 1st, and this morning with your check for $317 20 for a claim amicably and satisfactorily adjusted about ten years since, and for which I have no legal or moral claim on you, nor, indeed, had it entered my mind for several years. "This act, entirely voluntary on your part, exhibits moral honesty, that all fair men approve, but few make known by their acts. I value it the more because it exhibits in my friend a conscience alive to right. You have made this present (for I have no claim) not because you considered I needed it, but because the ability that did not exist in 1843 does exist in 1853, and the act itself would be carrying out the principles of the Golden Rule. Please accept my warmest thanks for this token of love and friendship. May peace, prosperity, and happiness attend you all your days. "I am truly your friend, "WALTER LAFLIN. "To CYRUS W. FIELD, Esq., New York." "SPRINGFIELD, MASS., _March 5, 1853_. "CYRUS W. FIELD, Esq., New York City: "_Dear Sir_,--Allow me hereby to acknowledge the receipt of yours of March 1st with its contents. "We are perfectly conscious that in a legal point of view we had no claim upon you for this very unexpected document, but to your personal high sense of honor we are indebted for it, and for this act of honesty and fairness you have our very grateful acknowledgments. "With the best wishes for your future prosperity and good health, we remain, "Dear sir, very respectfully, "Your obedient servants, "PARKER, DOUGLASS & CO. "Per O. O. Parker." "P. S.--I shall be in your city soon and will be pleased to call upon you. "S. PARKER. "Per O. O. Parker." "HOUSATONIC BANK, _March 7, 1853_. "CYRUS W. FIELD, Esq.: "_Dear Sir_,--At the request of the Board of Directors of the Housatonic Bank I enclose resolutions passed by them this day.