Frederick Law Olmsted

[notation in shorthand]

We shall be glad if you can propose a plan less open to objection for accomplishing your object. We have pondered the problems so much that we have no hope of being over to do so. We believe that when the apparent voids are filled up by the growth of the shrub foliage the effect will be satisfactory.

very Respectfully Yours,

F. L. & [J. C.?] Olmsted.

[lefthand page] 1

[embossed] F. L. & J. C. OLMSTED, LANDSCAPE - ARCHITECTS. BROOKLINE, MASS. [/embossed]

17th April, 1887.

The Hon. Leland Stanford;

Dear Sir; The plans prepared since you were here by [Messrs?]: Shepley, Ruban & Coolidge in connection with ourselves, were shipped last night addressed to your care.

Mr. Coolidge leaves tonight and will be accompanied from Chicago by Mr. Ruban. Mr. Ruban is the oldest member of the firm and was for many years Mr. Richardson's principle superintendent of construction.

[large notation: 127] [/lefthand page]

[right hand page] appeared not unlikely that, if satisfied with the plans, you would be disposed to enter upon building operations this year. If after such reviesw of what you provisionally approved as will now be practicable you should conclude to begin work before next spring it will, I suppose be best to set about grading operations before the ground shall be [deeply?] baked by the summer's heat. We have, therefore, [illegible] to present the plan in such a [/right hand page]

[left hand side] 3

manner that you and Mrs. Stanford could obtain a more realizing sense of what might be [expected?] in following it out, and have thought it least that you should have the benefit of Mr. [Rutan's?] experience as well as Mr. Coolidge's in determining such questions as that of the choice of stone for walls not facing [toward?] the Plaza. There are many questions of detail, also, that should be carefully reviewed under your own scrutiny and with better knowledge of [/left hand side]

[right hand side] 4

conditions of soil and climate than we may possess. It is not unlikely that in view of [them?] some adjustment of details may be desirable and we have thought it better that any such should be made at once in the ground by Messrs. [Rutan?] and Coolidge.

We have been over the plans very carefully with them and especially upon questions of [grade?] they will be able to present our views and the reasons for them. This is a matter requiring more consideration than you have probably supposed.

[left hand side] 5

We have considered the board and lodging question adjourned until you shall be able to discuss it with your university staff. Perhaps it might be best to [partly?] build two additional buildings and provide temporary accommodations for the faculty and the first class of students within them.

Yours truly

Fred[.k?] Law Olmsted [/left hand side]

[right hand side] [notation] [obscured] Fred[k?] Law Olmsted [/obscured] on University grounds [/notation] [/right hand side]