Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Mr. Child, June 23, 1871

Cushman was pleased by students' speeches at the commencement at Vassar College. In this context, she adds her thoughts on women's suffrage:
"I want every woman & every man who earns the money which pays hers [sic] or his rent & knows how to read write & cypher. & every man & woman who pays taxes — to have a vote. & I would not give a vote to another soul."

Credit

Lisa Unger Baskin Collection, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University

[page 1] Dear friend.
Many many thanks for the Donkey intelligence which to all that is nescessary[sic]. Your letter has given Miss Stebbins & me. a good hearty laugh for which we thank you. as well as for the letter. Most surely. if I come to Boston to see the D^r. I will make [illegible crossed out] +++ [inserted] known to you & not go through without making a sign. I heard from a lady whom I met at the commencement at

[page 2] Vassar College yesterday (& when by the bye this mornings [sic] Harald reports me as having +++ on sardines & pickles with Maria Mitchell the astronomer, not true as to sardines or pickles. neither of which can [inserted] I eat)
That M^r +++ had been away from home returned only on Thursday & was quite poorly. from some imprudence in changing his clothes too early in the season. so that may account for his not having answered my letter about the wind mills — but I have written again to day & asked for the information. If you had asked me. I should have pushed

[page 3] him to get the information for me, when I was there: Depend upon its [sic] when you want information. Simply[?] a woman. though I dont [sic] believe in +++ woman suffrage. I believe in women! & so would you if you could have seen all the pretty ones I did yesterday. & heard the essays of the graduates. I assure you it was rather like going to the foundations of things & changing them a little. I want every woman & every man who earns the money which pays hers [sic] or his rent & knows how to read write & cypher. & every man & woman who pays taxes — to have a vote. & I would not give a vote to another soul. Why cant [sic] we have that all arranged after that fashion? How delightful to think that we shall

[page 4] see a baby donkey. & baby grayhounds in September. I wish it might be true about our Donkey. but I fear. She is allright [sic] has a fancy for going on three legs & using the other to brush the flies off. which has to be subdued by a "gentle reminder": but she is a good little thing. They keep her in a nice little house all by herself & +++ her out three hours every morning to get grass: should they give her any oats? I dont [sic] know any of the Yacht +++ that I am aware of. & yet I may. Perhaps I may be with you when the race comes of — would you like it or shall you be full. you must make no ceremony with me. You shall hear from me as soon as I hear from M^r +++ meanwhile. believe me ever faithfully
Your Charlotte Cushman