CLARA BARTON FAMILY PAPERS [*Barton,Edmund M.*] [*Apr.1898-Sept.1908*] [*Edmund M Barton May 13 98 Relating to son Blake*] [*Ans. p. 83 P Cuba*] Memorandum American Antiquarian Society, Worcester, Mass. 23 April 1898 My dear Clara. Late last night the following despatch came to the red-house from our Blake at Fernandina Fla. :"Will you and Mother let me go to Cuba with Clara Barton." I replied by mail "Mother says no but Papa yes provided Clara, the Carnegies, College and Cuba approve." It is possible that Blake reached you while were at Tampa or has written to you at Washington: in fact his father's spirit of helping instead of killing seems to have shown up at once in the first born son--Blake is tutoring a nephew of Andrew Carnegie at "Dungeness" an island ten miles from Fernandina. Blake's engagement was to June 1. But the family may be obliged to come north on account of the war. [*Blake*] He will be graduated at Harvard in June Magna cum laude. I of course, informed 12 [* MEMORANDUM American Antiquarian Society Worcester, Mass.*] the dear fellow that the Red Cross work was done by specialists and no doubt your reply will so state; but it seemed best that John Houck know that his heart & head & hands are at your service. I further wrote him that if he kept his agreement with Mr Carnegie & came up June 1 he could call at Hdsin Red Cross in W. & upon Stephen at N.Y. --as the war would no doubt still be upon us. I read the Outlook interview with great pleasure and saw therein the head of a Christian & the judgment of a diplomat--our great senior Senator told only the truth but the blather [?] element at W. didn't like that-- With love to all & a prayer for your great work & an honorable speedy peace--affy Ned-- Edmund M Barton Edmund M. Barton Librarian American Antiquarian Society, Worcester, Mass. 24 Decr 1905 My dear sister Clara: I send you this Christmas eve my dear love and thanks for the Clara-like letter. The fitness of thy birthday has always appealed to me; for how can we prove our love for the Master of men except by trying to help others? I am so glad that Bartons believe Him to be the Saviour of the World, somehow, sometime somewhere!--In the long view a winner in the mission he came to fulfil with all good wishes from all at the red house at the Highlands. Ever affectionately Ned A. Baldwin, President. F.T. Howard, Secretary and Treasurer. William Beer, Librarian Howard Memorial Library, established 1889 (Reference) 1896--33,000 Books 1900--38,000 Books 1904--47,000 Books New Orleans, September 18,1908 E.M. Barton, Esq. Antiquarian Society Worcester, Mass. Dear Mr. Barton:- I think the enclosed tribute to Miss Barton will interest you, Yours truly, William Beer Edmund M. Barton, Librarian. American Antiquarian Society, WORCESTER, MASS. 23 Sept 1908 My dear Clara: Possibly the laureads poeta did not send you his: "AClara Barton", so here it is, after 10+ years for a first or second sight. You may keep the "Seminario Noticroso" with other C.B. material for posterity, but if reluctant to do so, the Motherly librarian of the American Antiquarian Society will see to it that it is religiously preserved as a fragment of American History! Always affectionately Edmund Mills Barton. P.S. The 70th milestone is in sight E. Edmund M Barton [*34*] Ansd, Oct. 4, 1908 [*After 5 da AMERICAN ANTI WORCES*] Transcribed and reviewed by volunteers participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.