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.