1858-01-15 Otis Statue: Copy of letter from Jacob Bigelow to Louisa W. Crawford, 1831.039.006-007

(Copy) Dr J. Bigelow to Louisa W. Crawford Jany 15 '58 Otis Statue

(Copy) (to Mrs Crawford)

Boston Jany 15^th 1858

My dear Madam

I hasten to reply to your note just receivedThe contract made by the Trustees of Mount Auburn Cemetery with Mr Crawford for a marble statue of James Otis, provided for the payment of $5000, as follows - $2500, on completion of the plaster model, & $2500, on the delivery of the finished statue with its pedestal, in Boston, within three years & a half from the date ^dec 1^st 1855. The first have, or $2500, was paid Mr Crawford when last in Boston. The balance, or $2500, will be payable to his legal repre -sentatives on the arrival & delivery of the marble statue in good order in Boston.

The plaster model will then revert to the estate of Mr Crawford, and, I think, had better remain in Rome, so that in case of accident a new statue may be constructed after it. And here let me suggest the expediency of having the statue insured for a sum sufficient to pay for a duplicate in marble if the original should be lost. A statue of John Adams by Randolph Rogers, & one of Webster by Powers, are supposed to be lost having been shipped from Leghorn in the Oxford Sept. 1 & not since heard from. Mr Rogers prudently $2500. which will compensate him he thinks for making another statue.

You will pereceive that the expense of freight insurance &c, will be payable by Mr Crawford's estate. But upon the delivery of the statue at the wharf in Boston, the Trustees of Mount Auburn will assure the expense of removing it to the Cemetery & setting it up.

The pedestal included in the contract should be made to match that of Mr Rogers' J Adams to which it will stand opposite. Mr R has just sailed for Europe, & you will doubtless find it advantageous to consult or employ him in this part of the business. His address is "Care of Packenham Hooker & Co 20 Piazza di Spagna, Rome.

The statue should be shipped to Boston (not New York) in the spring if a vessel is ready

Accept dear madam the assurance of my respect & sympathy

Jacob Bigelow