.

When Morphy went to Europe in the summer of 1858, it was his original intention to stay a few months and return home. Due to the re-scheduling of the Birmingham tournament (which he ended up not entering, except for his famous blindfold demonstration) and his well-known problem with Staunton, he extended his stay with the idea of returning to New Orleans by Christmas. Then, as good luck would have it, Anderssen agreed to play a match with Morphy, but there was one sticky point. Anderssen could only play during his Christmas vacation. Morphy was determined to return to America and the match almost never occurred. Ultimately, Morphy got sick and his doctor recommended that he not travel until Spring, but even before Morphy's health made leaving impractical, Frederick Edge, Morphy's self-styled factotum, had been determined that Morphy should remain in Paris and play Anderssen. To convince Morphy to stay voluntarily, Edge had written a letter which he sent to various chess clubs and organizations enlisting their help in convincing Morphy of the importance of such a match.

This is the letter (in the original French)

October 30, 1858

Vous apprendrez, sans doute, avec regret que le beau joueur d'Echecs Americain M. Paul Morphy se dispose en le moment de quitter l'Europe dans une quinzaine de jours et aussi qu'il est bien probable que nous ne le reverrons plus que dans plusieurs années. Rien n'est plus malheureux pour tous les vrais amateurs d'Echecs ; car dejà plusieurs forts joueurs se disposaient à se rendre à Paris pour se mesurer avec lui et le trop prompt départ de M. Morphy va nous priver de magnifiques parties qui auraient été jouées entre lui et ces illustres champions. M. Morphy tout le premier regrette vivement l'obligation où il se trouve de retourner aux Etats Unis et il préfèrerait j'en suis convaincu, de passer l'hiver en Europe. Mais il craint de mécontenter sa famille en prolongeant trop son séjour parmi nous. —Dans cet état des choses tous les amateurs d'Echecs de Paris se sont décidés à lui écrire collectivement une lettre pour l'engager à rester, au nom de l'intérêt des Echecs. Déjà plusieurs clubs de Londres et de Paris se mettent en train de suivre cet exemple et s'empressent de lui écrire dans le même sens. Et si votre cercle veut bien lui adresser pendant cette semaine (!) le meme voeu, il n'y a aucun doute que Mr. Morphy se rende à ce désir unanime, en se réservant de présenter à sa famille ces puissantes raisons qui lui ont fait différer son depart. J'ai eu le plaisir de voyager avec Mr. Morphy depuis son arrivée en Europe et je suis convaincu qu'il cédera à un voeu aussi imposant et unanime. De cette facon, etc.

This is an English version, generously translated by echecetmat of chessgames.com

October 30, 1858

"You will doubtless be saddened to learn that the fine American chess player Mr. Paul Morphy is at this time preparing to leave Europe in about a fortnight and that it is quite likely as well that we will not see him again for several years. Nothing could be more unfortunate for all true chess amateurs, for a number of strong players were already prepared to travel to Paris to challenge him, and his precipitous departure will deprive us of the splendid games that would have been played between him and these illustrious champions. Mr. Morphy is the first one to regret deeply his obligation to return to the United States, and he would prefer, I am certain, to spend the winter in Europe, but fears upsetting his family by extending his stay with us too long. Under these circumstances, all amateur chess players of Paris have determined to write to him collectively to urge him to stay, in the interest of the game. Several clubs in London and Paris are already prepared to follow this example and are eagerly writing to him for the same purpose. If, moreover, your club would be disposed to express the same wish to him this week, there is no doubt but that Mr. Morphy would yield to this unanimous desire, and would present these powerful reasons to his family for delaying his departure. I have had the pleasure of traveling with Mr. Morphy since his arrival in Europe, and I am convinced that he will yield to a wish so strongly and unanimously expressed. In this way, etc..."