I am much gratified by your conclusions as expressed in the Sun and further in your letter of yesterday just received.

I would not like to give an opinion upon the question of occupying the Park, certainly not unless with reference to a definite and somewhat detailed proposition and I have not time to think it well out. Vaux and Parsons are the proper advisers of the Commissioners and of the city on such a point. In strict confidence I may say to you that both are likely to be somewhat predisposed to favor Green’s view, and that Green, having once lost his temper and publicly committed himself against your scheme will fight you malignantly and with the most industrious and painstaking, underhanded if not open, labor. I should say that till you get your land outside, the question had better be postponed. Once get your footing and you will shake off a great deal of opposition. What sort of opposition you have to deal with, you may judge from the fact that since I saw you I have received communications from representatives of three rival sites, asking my cooperation; all assuming that you cannot get the land needed outside the park. Be sure they are doing their best to spread this conviction. I decline in each case, and in that to which friendship wd most incline me to give aid have said that I believe that the Fair must go on Bloomingdale Heights or nowhere.

It will be better if possible to get the Commissioners on your side thro’ friendly debate. I shd think that the Mayor would deal with them best. Properly managed neither they nor Vaux and Parsons will be likely to refuse all cooperation, and the financial advantage to the city of getting a fee from visitors from outside, well presented, will command grave consideration. The freedom of the Park and the absence of fees and drink money—the denial of advantages to the rich man that the poor man cannot command—is, I remember, a point in which Vaux has a certain chivalric interest. Don’t be deceived by what you will hear to Vaux’s disadvantage. In certain lines—problems of planning for [737]convenience—he is unsurpassed. He is apt to greatly misrepresent his own mind in talking; a nervous defect.

Hutchings has been engaged in politico-commercial alliances with Green and is probably under his influence more than you could wish. Moreover, he has an indolent sluggish mind and a lawyer-like habit of easily taking sides and shutting off access to his intellect from the opposing side. Yet his indolent habit disposes him not to fight against a plainly strong opposition.

Yours Truly