1860 Copying Book: Secretary's Letters and Treasurer's Letters, 2005.062.003

33 School St. Boston, March 9 /61

J.M. Bernard Esq.

Dear Sir, I have inquired of Mr Mann with regard to your bill for foundation, and ascertained what the usual charges are to others, at only fair rates; and am satisfied that the charge to you is not high, & that it cannot be done for much less without a loss to the corporation. I am satisfied that you have been entirely misled by Mr. Wentworth as to the propriety of the charge; but inasmuch as you have obtained the idea that the charge is exorbitant, for the sake of satisfying you, I will put the bill at the lowest possible figure, and call it thirteen dollars.

This will afford us profit, but I hope will satisfy you.

Truly yours A.J. Coolidge

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Boston April 5, 1861 Jona. Mann Esq. Sup^t Mt Auburn Cemetery

Dear Sir,

The special Com^ee to which has been referred the matter of investigating the Superintendent's accounts & books, have directed me to request your presence at an adjourned meeting of the Board of Trustees, to be held at this office on Monday the 8^th day of April, at 3 1/2 o'clock p.m. prepared to answer to charges contained in a report of said committee, to wit:__ "That Mr Jonathan Mann, the Superintendent, has paid bills for articles furnished to the Cemetery on which large discounts have been allowed in settlement for the bills with Mr Mann when said discount was not entered on the

bill, but it was receipted for the full amount, as first rendered:- that an examination of the books in reference to particular bills shows that the full amount or [part?] of the bills have been charged to the Corporation, while there appears to be no discount or allowance on said bills credited:-

That this charge, unless disproved by Mr Mann, shows that he has acted an direct violation of a well known by-law of the Corporation."

Respectfully yours A J. Coolidge Secretary

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33 School St. Boston, April 6. 1861 Gardner Brewer Esq.

Dear Sir,

Your recent application to the Trustees of the Cemetery of Mount Auburn for permission to ride into the grounds on horseback, from time to time was duly presented to the Board; and I can best acquaint you with their action thereore by sending you the accompan nying blank card of admission with the rules annexed thereto, which I trust you may find satisfactory. You will perceive the Board was anxious to make a rule which should be applicable to all cases.-

If this shall meet your views, I shall be ready at any time to give you the needful authority.

I am very respy your [?] A.J. Coolidge Secretary.

33 School St Boston April 6, 1861

Dr John Bacon

Dear Sir,

In reference to your inquiry for what sum the Trustees of the Cemetery of Mount Auburn would assume the perpetual care of your lot numbered 2354,- the Committee on Lots have instructed me to inform you, that they have had the same under consideration, and will contract with you for three hundred dollars. -

Very respectfully & truly yours A.J. Coolidge Secretary.

Boston April 6, 1861 C. P. Curtis Esq. Chairman Com^ee on Lots,

Dear Sir,

The reply of the Com^ee on Lots to the inquiry for what sum the Trustees will assume the perpetual care of the Pelham W. Warren lot (no. 1030), also Mr Mann's note advising that it be first put in order by grading and sodding at an expense of $20, has been received. This would require $200 in addition to the $100 already devoted to the lot.-

If you can find means to bring the condition of the lot and these facts to the attention of the Hon. Chas. H. Warren, as I the other day suggested in conversation with you, perhaps something may be done. Mr W^m W. Goodwin of Harv. Coll. assured me that any funds from which to increase this appropriation were entirely wanting.

Very respectfully yours A.J. Coolidge

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Boston April 9, 1861

Jona. Mann Esq Sup^t Mt Auburn Cemetery

Dear Sir,

Your communication of this date was laid before the Board of Trustees, upon which it was voted - That this Board will hear any explanation from Mr Mann, whenever the President shall call a meeting for that purpose - that he shall have free access to the books at this office, and that the Committee on investigation of his accounts shall furnish him, so far as they may be able, with specifications of the charges made against him.

The following votes were also adopted, "That from and after this date Mr Mann be instructed not to receive or pay any money for account of the Corporation, and also that he shall make no contracts without the knowledge and approval of the Committee on Lots, until further order of this Board.

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