I am much obliged for yours of the 12th.

I do not understand the course of things at Albany. Mr Brush assured me that he would personally superintend the work; would see to the drawing of the Bill, &c. I infer that he did not. I also understood that the member from Niagara would make it his business and again Mr Gardner assured me that he would do So. I have seen none of these gentlemen & heard from none, nor from anyone else interested in Albany, since February. I have supposed that they made up their minds at a certain time that the Bill could not be carried thro’ the Senate, and abandoned effort.

I had not seen the Bill when it was presented. I strongly advised that my name should not be in it—simply because I thought some other name would give it more strength. But as the service required was not of a professional character and was not to be paid for, I don’t understand the objection you say has been felt to it. Still I should like it to be known to those interested that I did not wish to be a commissioner.

I think what you propose as to petitions very desirable and beg that you will do what you say.

I should advise a very short and simple form. Perhaps this would answer:

“The undersigned, referring to the Memorial on the subject of Niagara Falls, formerly addressed to the Governor of New York and embodied in the report of the Commission of the State Survey of 1880, beg to express their concurrence in the views of the many eminent signers of that Memorial and earnestly pray your Honorable Body to adopt such measures as in your wise discretion may be thought most expedient for accomplishing the essential ends therin set forth.”

I rather think that after the Presidential canvass is over, it will be best to send blank forms of petition to different quarters of the state and get as many signatures as practicable.

I send copies of the Memorial as you request.

I should be glad if you would let Mr. Whitney of the Cataract House know what I have written you.

I send you enclosed, drawings, by which you can set about the work of subgrading your home grounds and building the terrace wall. In this plan [505]

John C. Phillips estate, “Plan of home grounds”

[506]

John C. Phillips estate, garden area with pavilion and stone arch

An old fashioned flower-garden is largely made up of a class of perennials which at times have a sprawling habit and close under the windows of a house are apt to appear disorderly and a little out of place. I have therefore planned a garden of the old fashioned kind at the south end of the lawn so situated that it will be looked down upon from the pavillion. The outline of this garden fits the ground nicely. The larger part of it is intended to be in turf with beds defined by box edgings. The surface is to decline gently from the outside to the central circle, like a palm leaf fan pressed down by the handle. If you think it too extensive as thus laid out the beds can be reduced and the proportion of turf increased or the periphery contracted. Mr. Haskell will be able to lay the work out from these drawings. If he should be in doubt at any point, let me know and my son or I will come up.