Letter from Charlotte Cushman to James Fields, June 26, 1861

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[page 1] Dear Jamie
Yours of Monday to hand many thanks! When I found by your note of Sunday that you could not get to South Boston I thought it better that I should go my self consequently after 8 oclock [sic]. on Sunday night. I marched over & saw the D. I had read a note from him the day before in which he told me that all the money they had was ^$2000. that he had names good for ^$2000 more--But at this time it might be difficult to collect it all. & he could be only answerable for ^$3000 in all. trusting to time & circumstances & get the other remaining [?, inserted] 1000 for which he had only names! He also said if any responsible, conscientious, artist would undertake to furnish them a Bronze statue for this sum. They could have the order. He 

[page 2] said he found such responsible conscentious [sic] artist in Miss Stebbins & would be glad if she would entertain the thought to do it. at the same time he was ashamed (as he ought to be) to offer such remuneration!--so much for the settlement! It now becomes nescessary [sic] to leave what would be [last two words inserted] the cost of casting such a work. to that end. I have written a note to George Sumner, who has all the +++ of cost (of Munich Casting which is the cheapest) from Crawford. & who knows exactly what the Couthoone [?] cost. I saw Dr Howe. for the purpose of getting him to let Emma hold his offer in abeyance until she could get some idea of cost & &. This he has promised. but wants to know as soon as possible. on account of getting the pedastal [sic] made now while work is cheap. consequently more advantageous to them. Emma does not want a penny for her own services. but she

[page 3] does not feel that she ought to let Henry [Henry Stebbins] pay for the expenses. (mere outlay) of her studio, which will be incurred for this work. you will see the justice of this as I do. If she can get the statue cast for ^$2000. I think ^$1000 will pay expenses of studio etc. & then when it is advanced that far, if the committee cannot raise money enough for its transportation. it will be a pity. I do not think she ought to do it without a chance of being paid something beside the cost. therefore I think the committee. should pledge themselves to give her any thing they can collect. over & above this ^$3000. & they ought to get Charles Sumner to write & deliver a lecture in Boston Spring [?] Field [?] +++ & towards this fund. or rather than she should not be paid. if Charles Sumners [sic] love for his friend Mann [?]--& the cause of philanthropy generally - through the memory of Mann [?].

[page 4] You shall get some mighty clever fellow to write a Eulogy or lecture or address upon the Character of Mann & I will deliver it. before the different Lyceums [sic] Schools & in Massachusitts [sic]. & so raise a fund which shall pay Emma for her work. In this way. women will raise the statue. I want you. if you have five minutes to spare to write a note to Emma. telling her all the pros of her making this statue & not counting the gain [?] in any way, but honor & glory. something that I can show to Henry. Do you understand? I wish you could find spare time to call at +++ studio in Cambridge. & get a cast of the head alone of his bust of Horace Mann. I dont [sic] want the bust part. & should be glad to have the head in two parts. just the front & back. so that they could be packed more flat for transportation. If you would look about this immediately for me. Miss Foley will be packing up a box of casts next week--& it could go out in her box & thus save trouble & expense--Do you forgive my asking these things of you--for one friend. & will you forward the enclosed letter. Dear love to Annie. 
Yours very faithful
CC 

[page 1 added vertically] I want the 4 volumes of all the year round, & I want the numbers of Atlantic Monthly from June 1859 up to the time the subscription began when I ordered them sent to Tilton in Rome last October I believe. but your +++ book will showdate. these are to go in package to Rome. +++ NK. Lewis & Co +++