BBOT.

WASHINGTON, D. C., January 16, 1877.

MY DEAR FRIENDS: I thank you for your generous recognition of me
as an humble co-worker in the cause of equal rights, and regret
deeply my inability to be present at this anniversary of your
association. I tender to you, however, my hearty congratulations
on the marked progress of our cause. Wherever I have been, and
with whomsoever I have talked, making equal rights invariably the
subject, I find no opposing feeling to the simple and just
demands we make for our cause. The chief difficulty in the way is
the indifference of the people; they need an awakening. Some
Stephen S. Foster or Anna Dickinson should come forward, and with
their thunder and lightning, arouse the people from their deadly
apathy. I am glad to know that you are to have with you our
valued friend, E. M. Davis, of Philadelphia. We are indebted to
him more than all besides for whatever of life is found in the
movement in Pennsylvania. He has spared neither time, money, nor
personal efforts. Hoping you will have abundant success, I am,
dear friends, with you and the cause for which you have so nobly
labored, a humble and sincere worker.

ROBERT PURVIS.

OAKLAND, Cal., January 9, 1877.

_To the National Suffrage Convention, Washington, D. C.:_

Our incorporated State society has deputed Mrs. Ellen Clark
Sargent, the wife of Hon. A. A. Sargent, our fearless champion in
the United States Senate, to represent the women of California in
your National Convention, and with one so faithful and earnest,
we know our cause will be well represented; but there are many
among us who would gladly have journeyed to Washington to
participate in your councils. Many and radical changes have taken
place in the past year favorable to our sex, not the least of
which was the nomination and election of several women to the
office of county superintendent of common schools, by both the
Democratic and Republican parties, in which, however, the
Democrats led. Important changes in the civil code favorable to
the control of property by married women, have been made by the
legislatures during the last four years, through the untiring
efforts of Mrs.