Correspondence (incoming): Pe, 1888-1903

Mayfield May 28, 93

Mrs Jane L Stanford

Dear Madam -

I have returned from Alaska and now await your earliest convenience with the other members of the Committee for an interview regarding the Avenue. We would be pleased to have you name as early a date as possible.

Yours very truly

Alexander Peers

for Committee

St. Helena J[u]ly 10^th 1893

Mrs Leland Stanford Menlo Park

Dear Madam

Shortly after the demise of Senator Stanford I conveyed to you a message of Condolence but fearing in the multiplicity of the demands upon you ^ ^{at the} time, my words of regret may not have reached your ear. I take the liberty of again expressing my sincere sorrow for the great void made in your heart and life by the ruthless hand of death - also a full appreciation of my own loss, not only in Common with every citizen of California who suffers when such a philanthropist and humanitarian as was your husband passes away, but because my personal acquaintance with the Senator was one of the pleasant reminisences of my life and one which I had hoped ere long again to enjoy. And now that I may not be obliged to trespass again upon your valuable time. I embrace this opportunity of acquainting you with the purport of the last letter I recieved from your husband, and of assuring you of my anxiety to be useful in small measure in the carrying out of your vast interests as I had hoped to be to him. I have great hope too, that you

approbation at Vina the evening we conversed on matters pertaining to your interests there.

In that letter, Senator Stanford stated that h[e] should expect me to take charge of the wine making at Vina this season, or the warehouse at Port Costa, as he should afterward direct, and decide when next he visited Vina. I think my services would be the most fruitful of good results, could I go between Port Costa and Vina as my judgement should dictate - having charge of the making first, and giving it my personal supervision from that on. You suggested this, during our talk at Vina and I think you will coincide with me in the feasibility of this plan.

I hope you will excuse my seeming egotism if I amplify somewhat upon my ability in that line. Any man who has devoted thirty years of his life in the earnest pursuit of one branch of industry if he be ordinarily bright, must have reached some proficiency in that direction.

Hoping an early and favorable answer

I am madam

Your Very Respectfully

H A. Pellet

[shorthand]

St. Helena July 10th 1893.

Mrs. Leland Stanford Menlo Park

Dear Madam,

Shortly after the demise of Senator Stanford I conveyed to you a messgae of condolence but fearing in the multiplicity of the demands upon you at the time, my words of regret may not have reached your ear, I take the liberty of again expressing my sincere sorrow for the great void made in your heart and life by the ruthless hand of death - also a full appreciation of my own loss, not only in common with every citizen of California who suffers when such a philanthropist and humanitarian as was your husband passes away, but because my personal acquaintance with the Senator was one of the pleasant reminisences of my life and one which I had hoped ere long again to enjoy. And now that I may not be obliged to trespass again upon your valuable time, I embrace this opportunity of acquainting you with the purport of the last letter I received from your husband, and of assuing you of my anxiety to be useful in small measure in the carrying out of your vast interests as I had hoped to be to him. I have great hope too, that you may be able to find my services valuable to you, remembering so well your words of approval and

St. Helena July 15^th 1893

Mrs Jane L. Stanford San Francisco

Dear Madam.

Your favor of 14^th inst: duly received and contents noted.

Your question as to what compensation I might expect, should you employ me, would depend upon the duties which devolved upon me. Were I employed permanently, the compensation that I should expect would of course be much less ^^{per month} than if I were engaged only for the Vintage

I could take charge, not only of wine making and subsequent care of the wine but I could also superintend all Vineyard work and so do away with a man hired especially for that purpose.

I feel confident that with my knowledge of viticul-ture and winemaking, had I charge of that departmen[t] of the Vina Estate, a marked improvement on present condition would soon be apparent.

I desire to be understood that I do not in any way reflect upon Capt: McIntyre's management, his duties are such that, not withstanding his unquestione[d] executive ability, it is practically impossible for him to see to everything, but he must to a great extent depend upon the honesty and competency of his subordinates