1851-03-31 Story Statue: William W. Story to the Trustees (page 5)

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 char-
acter 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 con-
sulting the wishes of the Trustees as much as my
own. In doing otherwise I should not have perfor-
med 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