Church’s name was first suggested by Vaux, and we both did what we could to secure his appointment, which was made on Col. Stebbins’ nomination. There is, I think a peculiar propriety & significance in it. A quiet, retired man—a model of rank and file citizenship—but who in his special calling has earned the respect & regard of the community, called at last to serve the public in an office where his special training will be of value, in place of a professional politician—the more significant that the particular politician is one so much the opposite in his qualifications—Sweeney. (His appointment reads “in place of Peter B Sweeny”.) The appointment of Stebbins as Prest, of Green as Treasurer (which he declines) and of O. & V as Landscape Archts. Advisory, is the public vindication of the Old Board. The appointment of Church signifies more—That offices (for the present) are not for sale to those who want them, but are to seek and draw in the best men—and that they are to be expected to serve whether convenient or not.

We were anxious on a matter of propriety that the art element should be recognized-that the public utility of devotion to art & the study of nature in a public service of this kind should be recognized & Church seemed on the whole the most appropriate & respectable man to express this.