We have discussed songs, musicals, novels, short stories, actors, actresses, cooking recipes, presidents, kings, madmen, tropical fruits and many others issues, and yet, to my knowledge we have never made a “great letters thread”. Let me be, then, the first to create such an august thread because no one can deny that this is an important genre in literature. Perhaps the most famous one is that one that the great Caesar sent to the roman senate so many centuries ago on the occasion of his victories against the French (as a matter of fact the gauls but I bet a lot of French haters are lurking the boards right now for another jab at france, if they are using the search engine I’ll have a bigger rating). 
For almost three years I have been a guest of the SDMB, and I am proud member of it, where else can someone read Scylla’s stories, Fenris parodies, elucidator ironic responses or, in my case, fight Monty my only problem is that is sometimes difficult to me convey my ideas (English is so damm hard), but thanks to the dopers my skills in your barbaric language has improved a lot, so in a way I am using this thread as an excuse to give an small and unimportant gift something good to read.
Anyway this isn’t the best letter I ever read but it has three advantages. 1) It is short (I couldn’t find it over the net so I copy it from a very old English teaching book) 2) It’s funny and 3) It is in English.
I don’t think there are copyrights issues and my only doubt was if it belonged here in Café Society. Here it goes, enjoy and share your favourites (if you have).
Dr. Samuel Johnson to the Earl of Chesterfield.
My lord,
I have been lately informed, by the proprietor of the “World”, that two papers, in which my dictionary is recommended to the public, were written by your Lordship. To be so distinguished is an honour which, being very little accustomed to favors from the great, I know not well how to receive or in what terms to acknowledge.
When upon some slight encouragement, I first visited your Lordship, I was overpowered, like the rest of mankind, by the enchantment of your address; and could not forbear to wish that I might boast myself le vainqueur du vainqueur de la terre; - that I might obtain the regard for which I saw the world contending; but I found my attendance so little encouraged, that neither pride nor modesty would suffer me to continue it. When I had once addressed your Lordship in public , I had exhausted all the art of pleasing which a retired and uncourtly scholar can posses. I had done all I could; and no man is well pleased to have his all neglected, be it ever so little.
Seven years, my lord, have now past, since I waited in your outwards rooms, or was repulsed from your door; during which time I have been pushing on my work through difficulties, of which it is useless to complain, and have brought it, at last, to the verge of publication, without one act of assistance, one word of encouragement, or one smile in favour. Such treatment I did not expect, for I never had a patron before.
The shepherd in Virgil grew at last acquainted with love, and found him a native of the rocks.
Is not a patron, my Lord, one who looks with unconcern on a man struggling for life in the water, and, when he has reached the ground, encumbers him with help? The notice which you have been pleased to take on my labours, had it been early, had been kind; but it has been delayed till I am indifferent, and cannot enjoy it; till I am solitary, and cannot impart it; till I am known, and do not want it. I hope it is no very cynical asperity not to confess obligations where no benefit has been received, or to be unwilling that the public would consider me as owning that to a patron which providence has enabled to do for myself.
Having carried on my work thus far with so little obligation to any favourer of learning, I shall not be disappointed though I should conclude it, if possible, with less; for I have long been wakened from that dream of hope in which I once boasted myself with so much exultation, my lord, your lordship’s most humble, most obedient servant.