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  Walt Whitman Esq. c/oThos.​ Donaldson Esq.​ 132 N 40th St. Phil​ — Dear Sir

The Board of Directors of this Association have sent to you under separate cover an invitation to attend our celebration of the 333 Anniversary of the occupation of the oldest city in the United States—viz Santa Fé—by Europeans and we trust that our carnival may be honored by your presence—Since sending you that invitation it has been suggested to me by leading citizens that such an occasion as this might be fitly commemorated in verse, and that a poem from the pen of Walt Whitman would preserve our History brighter and more famous in the minds of future ages than any other effort   that could be made by genius on our behalf—Will you take time by the forelock and even at this short notice write such a poem as can be delivered publicly by yourself or some orator equal to the occasion—We have in our Programme three Historical days, the 18th 19th & 20th July upon which every effort will be concentrated upon making these days as attractive and as important an event in our National & local History as as possible.

This is my excuse for profering​ proffering​ this request and I entertain the hope that you will graciously acceed​ accede​ to it—

I have the honor to be your obe't​ servant Arthur Boyle [illegible]