Mitchell, Martha Reed, 1818-1902

Scope and Contents

A.L.S. Grand Hotel, New York. Unwise to fight the coming of the railroad to Mount Vernon. Legally the railroad can force its way into Mount Vernon. Best to cooperate and get best possible terms. Also will mean more visitors to Mount Vernon than before possible; therefore greater income.

Scope and Contents

A.L.S. Quick note to say she is tired tonight but will see her the next day.

Scope and Contents

A.L.S. Jacksonville. Opposes cutting down the trees along the river bank about Mount Vernon.

Scope and Contents

A.L.S. Jacksonville. Suggests getting Mr. Corcoran's opinion on matter of cutting down trees. Discusses Mrs. Tiffey as MVLA secretary - wishes to replace her. Miss Susan Finney (former secretary) in very poor health.

Scope and Contents

A.L.S. Jacksonville. Sorry she didn't see Miss Cunningham when in Washington. Asks when next Council is to be held.

Scope and Contents

A.L.S. Milwaukee. Re her recent visits to Mount Vernon where she could tell she was not wanted by the Regent. Shocked by the treatment she received but still wants to help Mount Vernon. Need for policy change by the MVLA to get itself back on proper footing.

Scope and Contents

A.L.S. Doubts she will be able to attend meeting of the Association. Gives Mrs. Chace her proxy since they are on the same committee.

Scope and Contents A.L.S. August. Details of Miss Cunningham leaving Mount Vernon and turning over responsibilities to Hollingsworth. They are now moving in the right direction. For so long her illness prevented better direction of Mount Vernon's affairs to the detriment of the public's opinion, "it is not too late for you to regain the respect of the public & suspended love of the Ladies (who could not longer be held up for public ridicule) who were fond of their Regent & so devoted to her comfort,...

Scope and Contents A.L.S. Jacksonville. Divisive measures not pleasant but necessary. She is now chairman of the Executive Committee but wishes to run all major issues by the Regent first. "Will you let me be your friend?" Approves of Colonel Hollingsworth who seems to be a gentleman. He has had to redo some of the goverment's previous work at Mount Vernon. Thinks the public will view them better now "that we have a man at the head of the working department." Asks approval to move idle funds under the care of...

Scope and Contents

A.L.S. Jacksonville. The Executive Committee formed to hire a Superintendent to assure he had full power at Mount Vernon and that he did his duties. Vice Regents had reasonable complaint with Regent, for she allowed Mount Vernon to fall into deterioration, and willheld financial matters from the Board therefore they have taken it on themselves to correct certain problems.

Scope and Contents

A.L.S. Milwaukee. Sympathizes with her sorrows--hopes conservative councils will soon prevail in Washington--hears better accounts from Mount Vernon--Mount Vernon Record shown to Mr. Peabody--trying to get support of Masons without public appeal.

Scope and Contents

A.L.S. Introduces a friend--"let her rest in your little room at Mt. Vernon"-- (Envelope addressed "Miss A.P. Cunningham or E. W. Tiffey, Mt. Vernon, introducing Miss Hallett of New York" and on the back, "Miss Hallett regrets not seeing Miss Cunningham - but hopes to have that pleasure in Washington - at 1531 14th St., bet. P. & Q. Sts."

Scope and Contents

A.L.S. Milwaukee. Feels it is a bad time to petition Congress for assistance. Better to wait until after elections of 1868. Notes Mrs. Judd is to represent her at the MVLA meeting. Little hope of getting funds in Wisconsin.

Scope and Contents

A.L.S. Milwaukee. Leaves for the South. Encloses letter from Senator Howe (see under Feb. 14, 1868) and believes their prospects don't look good this session.

Scope and Contents

A.L.S. Hoffman House. Suggests course to follow in Devereux case--must have book for debt & credit open to public, then Mrs. Morse and Miss Tracy cannot hurt them. She should have a secretary of the Association to attend all meetings, live at Mount Vernon or in Alexandria. Thinks Miss Tracy is the author of vindictive letter.

Scope and Contents

A.L.S. Newport. Discusses reception of the bill in Congress. No hope of getting anything from Wisconsin until after eastern states take initiative. West preoccupried with building railroads, etc., now. Governor Seymour's nomination for President.

Scope and Contents

A.L.S. Newport. Regarding her husband's nomination for Congress. Cannot promise to meet with her at any definite time. Didn't check into Mr. Herbert's affairs at Mount Vernon and just assumed everything was fine. Governor Seymour nominated for President. If she goes to Washington she will do what she can for the cause.

Scope and Contents

A.L.S. Gave Mrs. Comegys and Mrs. Morse power to vote for her at coming meeting. Not favorable to a lot of foreign laborers at Mount Vernon. If MVLA can raise $3000, favors withdrawal of claim against the Government. Wants to replace Superintendent with a woman.

Scope and Contents

A.L.S. Milwaukee. Deplores election of Grant. Cannot get to Washington in time for meeting. Details of their meetings shouldn't reach the public. Boat will bring enough to sustain Mount Vernon "I have my doubts about the colony (of foreigners). I fear they will bring a care upon us - more than they are worth." Sees no need for a superintendent now.

Scope and Contents

A.L.S. Milwaukee. Shocked at actions of another Vice Regent "Mrs." with no name given. Has chosen her proxy as Mrs. Comegys and Mrs. Morse. A.P.C. must stay at Mount Vernon. Plans for imported labor, her plans in Europe, results of election.

Scope and Contents A.L.S. Hoffman House. Delighted at result of meeting of Association. Sorry she couldn't be present. Thinks someone else younger would be better than she for the job. Thinks they did wrong thing in not paying Miss Tracy what she claimed her due. Miss Tracy had hard time during war and her conduct with Mr. Herbert is none of their business now that she has left Mount Vernon. Offers to pay Association some of what they owe Miss Tracy. Will be on lookout for laborers for Mount Vernon. Mr. Riggs...

Scope and Contents

A.L.S. New York. On her way home after 7 months in Europe. Inquires after Mount Vernon affairs.

Scope and Contents

A.L.S. Milwaukee. Changes in her list of Committee and Managers--will forward her Ladies' money as soon as received--Challons' picture of Edward Everett--money scarce in West.

Scope and Contents

A.L.S. Milwaukee. Sends check for $102.55. Mrs. Hoyt has materially interfered in Association affairs, making Mount Vernon cause unpopular in places. Mr. Everett cannot come now.

Scope and Contents

A.L.S. Milwaukee. Efforts to interest people in state in their cause. Will make a grand effort in the autumn at the Fair. (Envelope dated June 8, 1859, addressed to Philadelphia, Pa.)

Scope and Contents

A.L.S. Milwaukee. Approves immediate repairs at Mount Vernon. Monetary trouble in West. Elderly gentleman, N.B. Brown of Manitowoc, is devoted to Mount Vernon cause. Requests Miss Cunningham to give him a place in her arrangements if possible.

Scope and Contents

A.L.S. Milwaukee. Has been advised by friends not to try to collect any funds until after harvest time. Has appointed no Manager for Capitol, where Mrs. Hoyt has made the cause so unpopular. Hopes to overcome this influence (Envelope dated July 8, 1859, addressed to Philadelphia, Pa.)

Scope and Contents

A.L.S. Milwaukee. Poor monetary condition of the state. Thinks if Everett would come west to lecture, people would pay to hear him even in hard times.

Scope and Contents

A.L.S. Villa Alexandria, Jacksonville. Received notice for Council. In interest of Mount Vernon, makes following suggestions: that growth of organization now demands some changes in administation policy - Vice Regents want, under her leadership, more active participation ER-18, p. 219

Scope and Contents

A.L.S. Jacksonville. Would prefer that Council be held at the Imperial Hotel. Funds are low because of a large number of extra expenses over the past year.