CLARA BARTON           GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE            French, Alice
Nov. 1898 & Jan. 1902As long as American history is 
read the story of the salvation 
which the Red Cross brought 
to the army loyals in Cuba 
will make Americans feel 
a tingling pride that such 
a woman as you lived and 
was one of us!
I know you will say that 
your officers did a wonderful 
work, that without their 
loyalty, their self sacrifice 
you had been powerless.  I
know that they were magnificent.  
But, who chose them?

[*1898 French 34*]
Thanford.
My dear Miss Barton:--
I don't know where you are or
whether this letter will reach
you: but I think your fame
has penetrated even into the
dark recesses of the post office
and I shall trust to it.
I (only) want in the first
place to thank you for your
kind sympathy with us in
our great sorrow.  I have thanked
you for it in my heart
a hundred, a thousand times.
Then I want to tell you al-though. I can't!--how we in Davenport
followed your course through
the war with our hearts beating
high with pride for you!  We 
feel that in a way you belong
to us.  We hope you know that
we always stand back of you, admiring
you, loving you, reverencing
you, ready to fight for you,
every day in the year.
Of all you have done in 
your glorious life, nothing is
more wonderful as an instance
of genius and pluck and infinite,
spontaneous ingenuity in adapting

 inadequate means to a vast
problem, thats what you and
your Red Cross did at Santiago
   While the amazing manner
in which you expanded a
small organization into a great
one, and set it going in all
its parts and kept it going
with so little money and
such a heterogeneous association
of volunteers--it fills
me with awe.  It is
more than tallent--it is genius!
You did more and harder
work than any general or admiral

I wanted you to know, however, that
I wanted to help.
This is already too long a 
letter.  Forgive it.  And do believe
that of nothing--nothing am I
so proud as that I may sign 
myself
Your friend
Alice French

November the thirtieth, 1898,
Clover Bend, Ark.
P.S. Don't you sometime steal off
for a little rest.  I have a quiet
nook here in Arkansas, a place
my friend and I own and we
always want you!

Thanford.
Who commanded them?  Oh,
be sure, let the petty ambitions
and detractions, and prejudices
that have hampered you, make
all the noise they will, the
heart of your country does not
heed these barking curs, it hears
the deep chorus of thanks and
blessing that has risen from
every camp every hospital
every ship that flies our flag:
and we thank and bless
you, too! I don't know
have been his comrades would
comfort me.  Besides I was
vain enough to think that I
might help you, a little.  Of course
I should have gone as a correspondant;
but with my political "pull" and my "nice, middle
aged way" I could get almost every
where; and I am a carpenter
a bit of a nurse, a very good
cook who has lived on a plantation;
and a person who can obey
orders.  I think I might have
been of some use.
But when I found how my
poor mother would feel, I put
the plan away.  But I was sorry.

[?] I have heard only praise) what
had been the difficulties which
you have conquered: but I can
read between the lines--I can
guess.
May I tell you a little
personal thing.  I wanted to 
go to Cuba.  I wanted it more
than I can say.  Had my
boy lived he would have
gone--probably with the rough
riders, for he had resigned
his captaincy.  I felt as if
to go, to get into the thick of
it and help the men who would


[*25 1902*]

Glen Echo, Maryland.
January 18, 1902.

Miss Alice French,
Davenport, Iowa.

Dear Miss French: 
     Your letter of January 15th, addressed to Mr. Barton,
has been forward to me by him.  The letter contains your
check for annual dues to the American National Red Cross Association.
I have to tell you that that arrangement was all
changed and a resolution passed at the annual meeting which will
be forwarded to you, if not already sent, by which you will see
that the $5.00 dues, since July, 1900, have been remitted, and
will be paid back to anyone who has paid them and desires them
back, with the exception of $1.00 annually, which becomes the permanent
dues.  I therefore, my dear Miss French, return your
check to you, and hope you will claim whatever else you have overpaid,
as you will see by my report that I never desired nor approved
it.
     Thanking you for your loyalty and asking kindest regards
to your family and the Tillinghasts, I remain,
      Very sincerely yours,
     Clara Barton

[*Davenport Ia
German Savings [bank?]   Jan 3 1902
$5.00    an nat R.C. order
# 23454-*]