Until I met you on the street this evening I had not given out a copy of the Report on the “Greensward” plan, except to the Board of Commissioners, thro’ their clerk, and to the Mayor for his private perusal, considering it improper to do so until the Commissioners thought proper to admit the public to examine the designs.

The articles in the Post last night, however, end any such obligation. How the editor procured a copy of the “Greensward” report, I do not know. The others have been freely distributed by the authors.

I gave you in the [. . .] article all the information about the plans which can properly have transpired and should be glad to have it published.

I wish to acknowledge the honor I have received in your appointment to the office of Architect-in-Chief. You will allow me to assure you with what personal feeling and purposes it is accepted. On the first occasion in my life in which I ventured to address the public, I used the words, “What artist so noble as he who, with far reaching conception of beauty and designing power, sketches the outlines, arranges the colors, and directs the shadows of a picture upon which nature shall be employed for generations before the work he has prepared for her hand shall realize his intentions.” I had not, until within a few weeks, expected to be called to such a duty. I need not say with what diffidence and with what [192] serious intention I undertake it, or how highly I value the judgment upon the preliminary study of Mr. Vaux and myself which has induced you to select me for it.

In the first and highest responsibility of the office, I shall steadfastly regard the distant future, when alone it can be fully seen how far I am worthy of it.

As the Chief Executive Officer of the Board, I shall aim to effect the realization of the plan of the Park, modified as a mature study of the needs of the public may seem to you desirable, in the most energetic and economical manner.

I hold myself responsible to the Board as an undivided body. I have asked favors of no party and of no man, and I acknowledge obligations in which the Park can be concerned to no party and to no man.

I am aware of the difficulties of the position. I meet them confidently, because if an honest and direct method of pursuing the purpose of my office cannot be successful, it will serve no ambition of mine.