1851-03-31 Story Statue: William W. Story to the Trustees, 1831.039.004-016

March 31^t 1851. Boston-

To the Trustees of Mt. Auburn Cemetery

Gentlemen

I have received your letter o the 15^t of Feb^ry informing me that "The Trustees cannot consent to an extension of the time" originally agreed upon as the period allowed for the completion of the statue of my Father. That "The Trustees will be pleased to act in concert with Mr Story respecting the substitution of American marble, if Mr Story & the Trustees can be satisfied respecting it, & the use of it will not occasion any delay " & That " it is the wish of the Trustees that the full-sized model should be made and exhibited to them with the least possible delay."

From the action of the Trustees, there seems to have been a misapprehension of the facts connected with my last letter to them - & also of the purpose of that letter - I deem it first to myself

to say that it was written expressly at the instance and at the request of Dr. Bigelow. He came to me as I understood on the part of the Trustees to suggest the propriety of a modification of the Contract in respect to the marble & the time - and to learn my views and intentions in respect to the making of the statue. Some conversation took place in which I stated my views fully - said that I had never asked for a change in the contract - but as the Trustees were desirous that the American marble should be used, the contract must be altered so as to enable me to comply with their wishes - that as to the time allotted for the execution of the work, although I expected to finish it according to the contract, yet since an extension of the time had been suggested, it would be most agreeable to me as it would free me from certain considerations which might otherwise embarrass me. At the period of this conversation my model had been exhibited to the trustees & a meeting had been called ^proposed by the committee in my presence for the express purpose of accepting or rejecting it. Dr. Bigelow requested me to write

a letter to the Trustees embodying the views expressed in this conversation, - I declined at first and thought it unnecessary- I did not wish to do anything which might be thought like begging and a letter might make it seem as if these propositions of change originated with me - which was not the case. But I consented at last. The letter which I wrote was, as I understood, to be read at the meeting, as wholly incidental to its main object viz - of accepting or rejecting my model.

The trustees at that meeting took no notice of the model, either by way of approbation, criticism, or rejections. They merely stated their wish "that the full sized model should be made of & exhibi ted to them without delay the least possible delay" I do not know that I am bound by the contract to comply with this "wish" in any way- although it would give no pleasure to meet the wishes of the committee as far as I am able. If the statue be made in Italy it will be impossible to comply with their wish - as to the exhibition of the full sized model, & this vote would force me to make it here. But I have already exhibited the model

to them - a model much larger & more finished than is the custom of artists to make or exhibit, & which is amply sufficient to enable any one to determine whether it is satisfactory or not. The exhibition of a full sized model was never contemplated - and I have certainly done at least all that the contract requires. A model of this size certainly enables them to understand the design & treatment of the statue in every way better than drawings could. If I had not thought so, I should certainly not have put myself to the expense of transmitting it across the Atlantic.

The present [adieu?] of the Trustees leaves me in doubt whether the Trustees wish a fullsized copy of this model to be made or a different model.- I have every reason to infer from their silence on this head, that the present model is unsatisfactory.

The tone of the votes strongly indicates a disapprobation of the course I have pursued & of my "delay" in making the statue. There has as yet been no breach of contract on my part & if the votes were intended to reflect upon my course

they were at least uncalled for. But I am not concious of having being guilty of any unnecessary "delay". I have in all respects endeavored to do my duty to the trustees by doing my duty to myself & my Father. I had supposed next the object of the statue was honorably to recognize my Father's character and services - & and that the time taken in making it was of vastly less consideration more than the merit of the work itself. I confess that I rather sought to do my work well, than quickly. I have spent much time thought and study upon it - carried it for nine years constantly in my mind - made two models & many drawings and endeavored by practice in the art & by study or examination of all the best models abroad to prepare myself fully to do it. I do not regret the "delay." I think it was necessary & proper. In so doing I supposed myself consulting the wishes of the Trustees as much as my own. In doing otherwise I should not have performed my contract to exercise my "best skill art & despatch"

I ought here to say that the difficulty of getting a satisfactory block of marble of the required