Transcribe Ward, Henry A. Letter to Orton, James (1855-10-31)

This order is important not only for your devotion to your profession but for your devoutness in it. Do not give up too hastily your endeavors to raise funds. If I do not mistake, you can well afford to devote a month or two to the thing. I know that it is when seeking for oneself, a most ungracious pursuit, but remember that it is both justly, honorable, & & put on ? & carry it through. Why do you not get a good, first rate letter from Pres. Hopkins or some other known person who knows you, and, arrived with it, visit some of the Philanthropists of America. I am sure that you would eventually succeed. Take heed that a false modesty does not make you hesitate in this. If you have aims worthy of yourself, & of your present & proposed abilities, you have a destiny or, so to speak, a mission before you which you do wrong to neglect. As to myself I am not more anxious to have you come here on my own account than on yours and therefore pledge myself to aid you in your search whether I stay here or not. Perhaps I may succeed, perhaps not. I think that there is more probability of it while you are still In America than after you cross the ocean. You will see the reason for this. Do not hesitate, Orton, about confiding this thing to me. I shall never compromise your feelings or name in any efforts in which I may make. I have an Uncle who is rich & kind-hearted but and had thought of applying to him but do not know in the least what he will say. I of course must introduce you by one or part of one of your letters to me & perhaps by your lithograph. Your wants & your earnest expression of them in your present letter suit me, & I had proposed asking at once upon it, but I see that there is much in it which would be undesirable & therefore wait for another