Laughton, Lily Macalester Berghmans, 1832-1891

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Discusses members of the Advisory Board, particularly Mr. Halsted, with whom she has had several disagreements.

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Mostly concerning Mount Vernon business, mentions Mrs. Halsted and Mrs. Mitchell.

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Thanks her for a lovely visit. Misses her. Catches her up on the health of Mr. Sweat.

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Has collected the $50 as directed to the Vice Regents by Council and will send it on. Tells her about the recovery to health (over 5 months) of a woman staying with her. Misses her a lot.

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Talks about affairs at Mount Vernon going very badly. Various Vice Regents want the Council to get together soon. She’ll be in Washington for Congress.

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Complains of Regent’s actions on many occasions. Has sent around a letter about it to other Vice Regents.

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Complains of Regent’s actions. Wants reply from Laughton to previous letter. Accuses Regent of using Association money for private use.

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Discusses upcoming Council meeting and decision making. Also sending condolences for her loss.

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As acting Regent, she was appalled by prices charged for work and groceries. Wants her to visit at her house so she can give her a full report. Discusses investments of Association.

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A.L.S. Wants Mrs. Washington's report and resolution along with Mrs. Sweat's Yorktown paragraph. She could then place her report in printer's hands. After printed matter is ready, must write out elaborate account for Record Book. Asks advice on reporting letter read to Council from Mrs. Halsted on which no action was taken. ER-18, p. 126

Scope and Contents A.L.S. Portland. Reports action of Executive Committee. Had two meetings after Regent left, discussed function and limits of committee. Mrs. Halsted's plan of erecting a $2000 or $3000 sarcophagus of Quincy granite, had pictures of it. Burglar alarm for Superintendent's quarters. Signed contract with Blake, question of selling liquor on boats met. Hollingsworth asked for $300 to pay back debts, sent Mrs. Hudson money for printing, stationery and traveling expenses. Hollingsworth now wants...

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A.L.S. September 2. Pleased to hear of the Regent's improved health. Understands her objection to nominating at one Council and confirming at next. Regrets the mistakes in reports, Minutes, amended Bylaws, charters, etc. especialy mistake about quorum which should be corrected at once. ER-18, p. 135. Undated 120.

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A.L.S. Doesn't wonder Regent is puzzled and provoked about greenhouse business. Cannot understand how Hollingsworth can so consistently offer inadequate estimates to Council. Cannot reconcile Whelan's letter with estimates, suggests need for "forcing house," and that a Philadelphia glazer might reglaze greenhouse for less than $375. Agrees it would be well to put Mrs. Campbell's gift in one thing such as "forcing house." Greenhouse repairs will come out of grounds fund. ER-18, p. 281

Scope and Contents A.L.S. Makes a semi-official report. Answered three letters from Mrs. Comegys to Regent. Miss Johnston has asked aid on Guidebook. Mr. Riggs has sent her an agent from the Baltimore Sun, Mr. Richardson, who wishes an authentic statement of the past, present and future of the Association to be given him because renewed attacks on the MVLA are becoming serious. E.F. Riggs showed Mrs. Sweat a letter envelope with "Shall Mount Vernon be free?" in big letters. Circulars calling for action...

Scope and Contents A.L.S. Will permit financial report verbatim leaving off receipts after Council. Mr. Riggs' reports details items hard to explain to adversaries. Will ask his advice re report and send Regent results. Asks about report on endowment fund, if invested. Forty dollars has been returned, traveling expenses. To be used for 100 plants from Mr. Saul. Reports on Mrs. Riggs' statement re Treasurer's Report. Encloses copy of Richardson's article in the Baltimore Sun which seems fair. ER-18, p....

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A.L.S. Explains gift of her father to Association. Railroad "crash" brought value of bond low. Now the value is higher, and Mrs. Sweat hopes eventually to have 3 shares of stock to add. ER-18, p. 193

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A.L.S. Received long delayed relic list from Dodge, will compare it with text from the guidebook and send the Regent a corrected list. Will curtail Mrs. Washington's list. Has minutes, reports, and printed constitution. ER-18, p. 192

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Regards purchase of bonds, application to legislature for extended powers and orther areas concerned with coming of the railroad to Mount Vernon. Feels MVLA ought not to either purchase bonds or ask for extension of powers to prevent the railroad from coming to Mount Vernon. Feels an "inactive" policy best in this situation. ER-18, p. 196

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Copy. Painters have done well and charged moderately. Reduced minutes to "baldest statements" as other documents were voluminous. Asks when she shall send duplicate copy of report. Finishes work for the year but resignation cannot take effect until next Council. ER-18, p. 195

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Wants to arrange for a friend of hers to stay overnight in the Martha Washington Room in order to make some sketches for a portfolio to be in the Womans Pavilion.

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A.L.S. New York. Would have preferred an official report from her signed, a copy for each Vice Regent to have published in her local papers. Should hint at plan of Finance Committee. Former neglect that now requires large investments. Wants an official statement from Regent for general distribution. ER-18, p. 230

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A.L.S. Milwaukee. Questions the price, design, etc. for the greenhouse. Whelan seems indifferent, long in getting his plan and estimates. Found his houses dirty with rubbish about. Recommmends deferring building another year, repairing present house, put in new furnace as necessary. ER-18, p. 277

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A.L.S. Milwaukee. Received letters of Mr. Dodge and Mr. Whelan. Had been annoyed at Whelan's "laxity and inattention to our requests." Did not collect more funds, but decided to wait until next Council about greenhouse, repairs on old houses, but if necessary furnace can be put in at once. If Regent agrees, tell Mr. Dodge and Whelan to abandon the new house. Will work it up next Council. ER-18, p. 279

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Is unable to attend Council meetings and is in poor health. Resigns her position as Vice Regent of New Hampshire and suggests a replacement. The year of the letter is written but illegible. This letter was originally filed under October 30, 1888, however Mrs. Stearns is believed to have resigned in 1873. Therefore, a circa 1873 date has been assigned to this letter and it was refiled.

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A.L.S. Linden Lodge. Has obtained from the Department of State a correct list of trees which Washington planted on his lawn with minute directions as to the places they were planted, etc. From Washington's Journal Mr. Dodge has already started replanting of those that have died. ER-18, p. 108

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Miss Cunningham will resign as her health does not permit her to continue. The charges of malfeasance were found untrue. She will try to write as soon as she can and is considering various locations to move to.

Scope and Contents A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Sends reply to the article with editorial comments. Had interview with the same Mrs. Briggs who she feels pique and desire for sensation are the reasons for her publication on the matter. Says she has not "sold her independence" to Colonel Forney, but will have conference with him re the investigation. Washington friends pleased with Regent's reply. Mr. Sykes sends the Regent the Evening Star clipping, begging her to think it unworthy of notice. Miss Cunningham has...

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A.L.S. Washington, D.C. Miss Cunningham anticipates her visit. Wants Peale painting hung for Council, presentation by Mrs. Underwood to be held May 13. Appointment of Mrs. Barnes as Vice Regent for DC. The Vice Regent of West Virginia "puts down machinations of Briggs and Co." ER-2, p. 263

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A.L.S. Washington, D.C. Regent did not receive your letter announcing Mrs. Winthrop's withdrawal. Has been difficult trying to find a new Vice Regent for Massachusetts. ER-16, p. 54

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Letters mostly concern catching up on personal news, wishing her well, and plans for visiting.