1843-09-17 Copy of Letter from Jacob Bigelow to Judge Story, 1831.014.004-001

Boston Sept 17 1843

My dear sir

After the meeting of the Trustees of Mt Auburn yesterday, it occurred to me that the business of the committee of five would be facilitated, if you as chairman would draw up an outline of a report, before the commitee meet.— A very good and unanimous opinion appeared to prevail, in regard to the improvements to be undertaken, and now, what we principally want, is an estimate of the proper division of our funds among the various objects.

Mr Bond, treasurer, says we shall have at the end of this year, after paying of the gates, a surplus of about $26.000. Suppose we apply this surplus somewhat in the following manner.

Say, for the Iron fence	$10.000
For drawing and cleaning ponds	4.000
Hedge on 3 sides	1.000
Chapel	5.000
Tower	3.000
Planting trees	1.000
Reserve	2.000
	26.000

In regard to the first of these objects, I suppose that the sum of $10.000 would make the fence from the lower corner of our premises on the main road all the way to the gate, and several rods beyond

it, thus finishing all that part which is usually seen by visitors who ride out from Boston or Cambridge. The estimate for the whole front fence is about $18,700 of which it will be seen that 10.000 is more than half. The remaining lesser half we should be able to finish in a year or two.

2 For obtaining pure water we should begin a ditch or drain, at the salt marsh as low as the tide water, and continue it into Meadow Pond, thence by a channel, or culvert, into Forest, and Garden Ponds, and from the latter into the meadow west of the gate. This would enable us to drain our low grounds, and drain and clean out the ponds, and if, as Mr Howe thinks, we should strike springs, we might have running water without going to Fresh Pond. But if not this enterprise may be extended hereafter. I should think $4.000 sufficient for the above purpose. Mr Coolige's consent must be obtained to a ditch through his low land near Charles river.

3 A Hedge is wanted on the 3 back sides. The principal expense would be for digging a trench and filling it with soil from the ponds. Mr Howe can raise the plants at a trifling cost.

4 A Chapel such as you propose might be erected of rough stone on some Gothic model, for less than $5.000, I think. We must select some spot with sufficient unoccupied ground to be kept for its prospective enlargement. In the opposite figure, the building is in black and the prospective addition is dotted of the shape which I understand to meet your views.

[Image: line drawing of a cruciform plan with only the nave, or left-most rectangle, a solid line.]

Where shall it stand? Unfortunately some of our best sites are occupied with lots

In looking at the map, the most eligible spot appears to me to be, 1. Near the gate a little to the east 2. Somewhere opposite Spurtzheim's monument if the ground is level enough.

5. A Tower. I have put down 3.000 for this, in case we should want to go a little higher.

6. Trees to be set out on all out vacant ground, where paths are to go. Cost I think less than estimate.

7 Reserve $2.000. This is to carry out any item which may have been underestimated. As many of our improvements need not be paid for in less than a year, we shall have another years income, say $4.000, to add to this reserve.

Should any other improvement suggest itself as a desideratum in Mount Auburn, you will be kind enough to add it & believe me

Dear sir, your friend & serv^t.

Jacob Bigelow

Hon. Joseph Story

Copy to Judge Story

Sept 1843

Doctor Bigelow's suggestions as to application of surplus funds to various objects of improvement & embellishment