I have been nursing all the odd jobs I could make on the park to keep men in employment eno’ to earn a living, through the winter, and have succeeded in keeping along quite 1000 till this time. But my resources in this way are giving out and I have had to discharge fifty men this week, of the old force, and shall have to part with more before we undertake new work. Therefore I can not give employment at present to even one man, however strong my personal sympathy with his misfortune.

I enclose a note to the recruiting officer which he can try on whenever he chooses to take the trouble to come up as far as 64th. street, but it will do no good at present.

I read the articles to which you refer, when I was closer to death’s door than you were probably aware. Thank you.

The passage of the so called Hutchins’ bill, of which I learn that there is really much danger, would, I fear, be very disastrous to the park. Even with the present Commission, I shall find it necessary to have my power to resist the demands of politicians very much enlarged this spring, or quit. I can not live another year subject to the humiliations of the last, in this respect.

[328]

I should come up to see you, but am yet too lame for your stairs. I have not gained any, during the winter, my left leg being still useless.

S. Low & Co. proposed to publish a handsome English edition of Slave States: if I would revise for one large volume—offering to supply plates for an American edition, no other compensation. Mason’s offered to publish an American edition from the plates at 12½ percent for copy-right. I proposed to Goodloe of Washington to assist me—chiefly in getting statistics from the new Census—for half profits. He accepted.

Some favors are wanted at the census office & he writes me to come on & see Seward & get them. I made up my mind yesterday to go next week. Our bill passed yesterday, and consequent proceedings in the Board may prevent me, but I think not. Shall probably start Tuesday morning or Monday p.m. & come back Saturday. I’m afraid you will hardly wish to join me in this terrible snow storm, but it may be the lion’s teeth will drop out before Monday. I wish you would, with the girls or without them.

I suppose you saw the tremendous puff on Fred in the World a week or two ago, and the tremendouser one in the Atlantic of April!

I presented my resignation in January; it was read in the Board & they agreed to take no notice of it in their minutes & consider it as not read. After a [329] long talk with a majority I was induced to withdraw it, but with a clear understanding that my authority on the park should be placed on a different footing this spring—or that I should quit. We have been working hard at estimates all winter. The rate of cost must be reduced 20 percent or we are likely to fail of completing the park within the sum assigned. As I should be held responsible, I refuse to go on unless I can manage it my own way. All this has been carefully kept mum so as not to embarrass the proceedings at Albany.

My deferred crisis is now imminent. I am quite ready to meet it, whenever they will have a meeting for the purpose, having made up my mind that I would rather go & take my chances for a living elsewhere, than to stay & be humiliated. I think I shall have my way, however: if I don’t, there’ll be a grand row. This, which must be private, will show you how I have been occupied this winter.

Leg is getting stronger, perceptibly, at last; so that I get about the house without crutches, but with a terrible dip & swing. Knee shows no gain, but I don’t despair of it.

Mary is in very bad health—acute dyspepsia, as well as I can make out. All well otherwise.