1831-10-25 Founding Document: Letter, General Henry A. S. Dearborn to Dr. Jacob Bigelow, 2005.081.013

Brinley Place, Roxbury Octo 25, 1837

My Dear Sir,

I am obliged to you for the opportunity of reading your historical account of Mount Auburn; It is lucid, neat & sufficient. I do not perceive that any thing should be added or struck out, on the principles you have acted upon, & to which I [give/pick/put?] my a ssent.

The names of the Avenues & paths, you have proposed, I like much, -- all of them. I find that in clearing out the walks, that red Cedars enough will be obtained, for the

parts, on which the guide boards should be placed. I have desired Mr. Stone to obtain a carpenter & shall have them smoothed & [prepared?] immediately. I propose that the boards be elevated at least seven feet, & that the posts go into the earth 3 feet. Some of them will cut long enough to rise eight feet above the ground, or more. Red Cedar is the next best material to stone, & the posts will last 30 or 40 years. They may be painted white, to make them more conspicuous, or any other better colour.

Indian Path is more emphatic than Ridge. They

peculiarly appropriate that name to their lines of intercommunication; they actually have no other routes than paths; It is a term known all over the U.S. as [express?] by Indian, & I have no doubt that there was a real Indian path on the ridge. They sought out all such places, for passing over the country.

With great esteem your most obt. st. [obedient servant] HAS Dearborn

Doct. Jacob Bigelow