HEADQUARTERS
UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY
WEST POINT, NEW YORK

September 16, 1935.

Mr. George D. Seymour,
Seymour, Earle & Nichols,
129 Church Street,
New Haven, Connecticut.

My dear Mr. Seymour:-

In further reply to your letter of August fifteenth, the Superintendent directs me to write and say that your offer to present a tablet to the Military Academy in memory of Nathan Hale was taken up with our Gift Committee and report thereon has just been received. I might add that the Academic Board has also been consulted on this subject.

It is felt that the proper place for a memorial to a hero of the Revolutionary War is in the old Cadet Chapel. However, on account of limitations of space and in order to maintain the simplicity and dignity of the structure, it is necessary to strictly limit the tablets placed therein. In general, these tablets should commemorate military leadership, high command, outstanding military successes or prowess, or similar qualifications or position.

While it is admitted that Nathan Hale was a patriot and has been glorified as a martyr, it is not felt that his services were of a type that should be commemorated by a tablet in the old Chapel. Accordingly, it is regretted that your very kind and generous offer in this respect must be declined.