"Allow me to add, individually, my sincere thanks; and I am requested to ask if you will allow us to make mention of it, to show that such high moral principles in business have much to do with a man's prosperity. "With great respect I remain, "Your obedient servant, "J. D. ADAMS, Cashier." "At a meeting of the directors of the Housatonic Bank, held at their banking-house on the 7th day of March, 1853, the cashier laid before the board a letter from Cyrus W. Field, Esq., dated 1st of March instant, enclosing a check on the Union Bank, New York, for seven hundred 62-100 dollars, being an unpaid balance and the interest in full on a note against the late firm of E. Root & Co., due in 1841, which note had long since been given up to Mr. Field, the firm having become insolvent. Whereupon it was unanimously "_Resolved_, That the conduct of Mr. Field in voluntarily paying a debt for which the bank had no claim evinces a high degree of moral integrity, alike honorable to him as a merchant and gentleman. "_Resolved_, That such an instance of high-minded magnanimity should be held up as an example worthy of the more commendation because of rare occurrence. "_Resolved_, That we tender to Mr. Field our congratulations in view of his present prosperity, and our best wishes for its continuance. "_Voted_, That the foregoing resolutions be entered on the records of the board, and a copy signed by the president and cashier transmitted to Mr. Field. "C. M. OWEN, President. "J. D. ADAMS, Cashier." "LEE BANK, _March 7th, 1853_. "CYRUS W. FIELD, Esq.: "_Dear Sir_,--Your favor of 1st inst. was duly received, with draft on Union Bank, $1142 49. "I have been delaying acknowledging receipt of same, hoping to get our directors together and lay the matter before them, that I might communicate to you their feelings, but have not as yet been able to do so; shall have an opportunity soon. "Our stockholders will appreciate your generosity, and permit me to thank you in their behalf, as well as my own, for your magnanimity exercised towards us. "I remain "Truly yours, "L. A. BLISS." "LEE BANK, _March 8th, 1853_. "At a meeting of the directors of the Lee Bank held at their banking-house this day the following resolutions were unanimously adopted: "_Whereas_, During the last week, a draft was received by the cashier of this bank from Cyrus W. Field, Esq., of New York, amounting to eleven hundred forty two 49-100 dollars, it being the balance with principal and interest due upon a draft given by E. Root & Co. in 1841 of fifteen hundred dollars; and "_Whereas_, The Lee Bank had given Mr. Field a full discharge of the above debt by his paying the sum of nine hundred forty-two 7-100 dollars in the year 1845; therefore