Show tha work the following copy 0 P of il a letter addressed by the pret president dent of the centennial board of finance to mrs ume E D gillespie president of the Cn centennial tennial executive committee has been received by miss bliss E IL snow banow who has handed it to u us 3 with a request to publish mrs ja X Z D gillespie GU lespie president of the centennial executive committee MY DEAR MADAM The centennial board of finance assigned to the secretary the duty of replying to your letter of tho the uit and at the same time requested me to express to you and your associates their feelings in contemplation of the close of your labors in connection with the international nal exhibition this duty I 1 gladly comply with atie the work which has been accomplished complis hed has placed the workers by which whick it was wrought very close to gotlie the tho hearts of the american people they recognize in it a true expression of their gratitude or for the past their progress in the century a and nd t the he hopes forthe for the future which animate them in this the tha centennial year and whilst they never can know the individuals to whom the they y are indebted for the fruita of all their sacrifices their perseverance and their labor there is now and I 1 there ever will continue to be a grateful tip appreciation universally felt towards ever every actor antor in the memorable memora bio blo scenes beenes which have so recently closed upon us otas As the we centennial board of finance ae arc very conscious of the efficient aid ald and of the steady persevering zealous devotion of your associates and especial especially jy of yourself to the great cause in which you have been workers coworkers co with them it gives me pleasure to express in their their grateful acknowledgments for all that you have done and to assure you that whilst in common with yourself public approval Is their only coveted reward they will ever bear in living remembrance all your works which having been entered in in a season of great darkness were persevered in through much adversity until they culminated on a blaze of glory allow me to convey from Centennial the board of finance to you and your fellow laborers their kindly greeting and their best wishes lor jor your i prosperity and mud happiness I 1 very sincerely bince tince rely JOHN WELSH president philadelphia ephia dec 18 1876 9 |