Welcome!

There is no family news. Mother is supposed to be cruising among friends in New London County. Bertha, here, living with my partner Mr. Vaux, & up at the park every other day. After a responsibility which has taxed my whole time & judgment, so that I have neglected every thing not of utmost immediate importance, I have got the park into a capital discipline, a perfect system, working like a machine, 1000 men now at work. The confidence of the Commission in me has constantly increased, and my salary is raised to $2000. Health fair, only a lassitude & breaking down occasionally which I suppose is from a reaction from over-taxed nervous energy.

Tiemann has recommended the repeal of the law appointing the Commission & making of the Park a city business. This would throw me out probably, as I have no confidence in Tiemann’s superiority to political maneuvering. The proposition does not seem popular, and I think may be defeated.

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Waring has not paid his last quarter rent, & has given notice that he will give up his lease 1st April. I have offered the farm to let or for sale & have had a man looking at it.

I am waiting to see you to conclude arrangements about books with Phillips, Sampson & Co.

We have had no winter. I believe the boats have never been discontinued running to Albany. Frogs were piping & spring flowers out a few days ago.

Nothing decisive, up to this day, on politics.

“Times” are better, but February is waited for with anxiety.

I am greatly interested in planning the park with Vaux. If successful, I should not only get my share of $2000 offered for the best, but no doubt the whole control of the matter would be given me & my salary increased to $2500.

You do well to go to the Allyn House & then visit Uncle Owen. I shall hope you will come soon to New York, as it will not do for me to [be] absent from my post for a single day. But I hope you will determine to pass the winter in New York, which I am sure will suit you better than Hartford. It has just begun to be possible to get lodgings with meals sent in.