Mitchell, Martha Reed, 1818-1902

Is still wanting to furnish the Martha Washington room on the third floor. Has sent men to measure it. Is sure everything will work out with the furniture going somewhere in the mansion which should be totally furnished by the centennial. Hopes for a happy future Council meeting.

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.

Wants to know if she may furnish a bedroom with furniture built from patterns of old style. Will put up a state of Wisconsin coat of arms over the entry.

Sorry not to have answered her letter sooner. Has coat of arms of Wisconsin for Council Room. Urging Masons to work on Mausoleum before the centennial.

Wants to furnish the Martha Washington room simply as would have been done then. Wants to occupy that room at Council.

A.L.S. Washington, D.C. Cochran Hotel. The MVLA Council wishes to know the history of the title of Mount Vernon from the time it first came into possession of the English crown. RM-524, ER-4309

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

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

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

A.L.S. Her friend Mrs. Lockwood will be visiting and she should be treated as Mrs. Mitchell would be herself. She wishes Ms. McMakin would get an account book. Mrs. Lockwood can show her how to keep it if she would like. Undated 109.

A.L.S. Grand Hotel, New York. Regarding projected railroad to Mount Vernon. Plans must be made so that it will not have a station at or near Mount Vernon, she feels.

A.L.S. Milwaukee. Asks Mrs. Judd to represent her at MVLA Council meeting since she cannot attend.

A.L.S. Villa Alexandria, Jacksonville. Has not heard from Regent re application to Congress, probably thinks the time for it not good. ER-18, p. 208

A.L.S. Hoffman House, New York. Sorry not to attend Council but she was not needed as they "did splendidly." Called at Mount Vernon Saturday and "everything in splendid condition." ER-18, p. 226

A.L.S. Milwaukee. Sent $52 for gate, names of children contributors to be framed and hung in House. Five hundred dollars for lodges. Coat of Arms in carved wood given by Milwaukee College. Wants information about bedroom to be furnished. ER-18, p. 248

A.L. Incomplete letter. Jacksonville.Cannot sell Lossing's book. Encloses four dollars for personal copy. Did not know it was forbidden for Vice Regents to do "anything at Mount Vernon that had been considered necessary" unless given an appointment by a committee to do so. Will not serve on any more committees and will write to Mrs. Berghmans. Still wants Milwaukee children to fund gates and lodges project. ER-18, p. 263

A.L.S. Unable to attend Council. Did visit Mount Vernon and found things "going on fine." Hopes porch, fences, roofing and lodges will be ready for centennial. Mrs. Halsted's proxy came too late for Mrs. Mitchell to use. ER-18, p. 266

A.L.S. Jacksonville. Tries to sell Lossings, cheap and expensive editions. Refers to gate, lodges, Wisconsin coat of arms, and furnishing a room. ER-18, p. 267

A.L.S. Milwaukee. Re bills for books, why she unable to attend Council. Complains about Vice Regents not doing as they agree to do. Mount Vernon is "looking spendidly." Furnished room herself, procured furniture 100 yrs old, imitated upholstery of time. Coat of arms carved, paid for by seminary. Lodges paid for by children of a friend and public school pennies. Turned offer of a New York merchant over to Vice Regent for New York. ER-18, p. 289

A.L.S. Milwaukee. Will ask people of Wisconsin to give to endowment fund when she hears from Regent who has not written her. Knows of last Council proceedings indirectly only. Approves plan of raising endowment and not accepting aid from Congress. Regrets there are not committees to work with Regent. ER-18, p. 269

A.L.S. Milwaukee. Pleased with reports of Superintendent. Comments on progress of Association and Vice Regents' ability to cooperate in their undertakings. ER-18, p. 277

A.L.S. New Brunswick. Failure of their application and disgraceful proceedings on Inauguration Day--notices to be sent to Vice Regents--ask Godey's Ladies Book to insert it--country has corrupt and drunken rulers. (Envelope addressed to Alexandria, Va., dated Mar. 14)

A.L.S. New York. Discusses recent death of Lincoln and comparisons of him to Washington. She is weary of all the turbulence of recent years. Suggests Miss Tracy acquaint herself with President Johnson that he might listen to the MVLA claims for war damages. Feels afraid for Mount Vernon but should not give up hope.

A.L.S. Milwaukee. Congratulates her on prospect of being relieved from care and anxiety of her position--hopes they can soon resume meetings--sends cutting from paper--recommends writing article explaining real state of affairs at Mount Vernon--Mrs. Riggs' illness--looks forward to meeting of all the Vice-Regents--fears interest created for Mr. Lincoln's memory may overshadow any appeals for Mount Vernon--wants slips of roses for a Fair.

A.L.S. Milwaukee. Doesn't know how they can get any income--suggests establishing a "Manufactory" near Mount Vernon for making articles of wood or building a greenhouse and employing enough men to make it profitable--her social activities for summer--would like small photos of views of Mount Vernon to sell at local Fair (Envelope dated May 22, and addressed to Alexandria, Va.)

A.L.S. Milwaukee. Her letter provided great relief but the association is going through a trying time. Must be for the whole Union, not a part of it. Has published part of a letter from Miss Tracy. Discusses the attacks on the MVLA by Mr. Fourney.

A.L.S. Milwaukee. Published part of Miss Tracy's letter to her in defence of Miss Cunningham--sad state of country--sorry for Regent--"we have all known many Miss Johnsons, and can understand perfectly the situation of our Regent."

A.L.S. Milwaukee. Agrees to sell one of the Virginia Bonds, though reluctantly. Looks forward to possibility of trip to Mount Vernon on next tour to the East.

A.L.S. Milwaukee. Mrs. Hoyt continues to injure the cause at Madison with "her little George & his Hatchet"--leaves for Europe in July.

A.L.S. Jacksonville. Thinks Regent is right about chairman and committees. She is on Committee for defining duties of Superintendent, and Regent holds power. Suggests asking Regent to call Council and present the idea of regular Committee meetings "on all matters separately." Discusses current accounting of money. Plans to go to Europe but will leave Mrs. Sweat as her proxy. ER-18, p. 203