Frederick Law Olmsted SUBJECT FILE Parks New York, N.Y. (Esp. Central Park) 1859 July-Aug. 5N.Y. July 5/59 My dr Sir I went to the Park and wandered pretty much all over the lower part yesterday understood you had left the City or I shd have gone up My report on the [?] will be ready to-morrow & you can see or hear it whenever you can come down. If I go to the Park to-morrow it will be inA. H. Green (R. R. Subscriptions, &c.) July 15, '59.50 Pine St July 6. 1859 F.L.Olmsted Esq D Sir I enclose you here in a letter I recd a few days ago (in behalf of the bearer Thomas Kelby) from Gov Bravish - If you have any place for a man of his good quality I should feel personally obliged to have it done for him. Yours truly Wm K StrongNew York [July] Mr Crane Sir [Mr?] John Egan who is an applicant for the [?] or foreman of Carpenters, says that Mr Olmsted had referred the appointment to you; as I knew Egan to be a first rate man, you will appoint him to the place, if Mr Olmsted has not given any contrary orders relative to the appointment. Yours truly J.F. Butterworth July 9th 1859. Comr. Butterworth to the Propy. Clerk. (ordering John Egan's appointment.) July 9th '59.Board of Commissioners of the Central Park, OFFICE, BANK OF COMMERCE BUILDINGS. New=York, July 9th 1859 Fred. Law Olmsted Esq. A_in_C & Supt. Sir. At a meeting of this Board held on the 7th inst. the following communications, which I herewith transmit, were referred to you: viz: Henry Smith, Walter Clough. Yours. truly Geo. M Van Nort Clerk. pro tem.Geo. Van Nort, (Enclosing petitions referred.) July 9th '59. Board of Commissioners of the Central Park, OFFICE, BANK OF COMMERCE BUILDINGS. New=York, July 11th 1859 My dear Sir At the request of Chas. W. Elliott Esq. Treas. I inclose you a communication from James C. Quinn. He desires that you should have an examination made as to the claim of James Quinn and transmit to him such information as can be had Yours sincerely Geo. M Van Nort Clerk. pro tem Fred. Law Olmsted Esq A in C & Supt.Geo. M. Van Nort. (Quinn's claim.) July 11th. '59. Board of Commissioners of the Central Park, OFFICE, BANK OF COMMERCE BUILDINGS. New=York, July 11. 1859 My dear Sir Mr. D. C. Eaton the botanist of whom I spoke with you, will come down to meet & confer with you on any day you may appoint. He proposed to come today but postponed it on my suggestion. Vr ty Charles. W. Elliott. Will you drop a line to Mr Eaton at New Haven (over/Mrs Elliot expects you and Mary O. up to spend Saturday & Sunday next - to go on Saturday aftn. to Salton state to roast oysters. E.C.W. Elliot (D.C Eaton, Botanist.) July 11th. '59 Board of Commissioners of the Central Park, Office, Bank of Commerce Buildings New York, July 11 1859 My dr Sir You were right in assuming that you wd not be wanted at the Board to day. I regret to hear that you are ill & will come up & see you as soon as I get a chance. The report is pretty much ready & will go on to Newport in course of a day or two for those gents to examine who are taking a good time in the country Yours trly And H. Green FL Olmsted EsqBoard of Commissioners of the Central Park, Office. Bank of Commerce Buildings. New=York, July 11 1859 My dr Sir John O'Conner has been to me & saying that he is suspended. He seems to think with no very good reason. I have known him for many years he is a good mechanic & an honest man. & I hope will be returned to work Very truly And. H. Green FL Olmsted Arch & SAnd. H. Green. (O'Connor's discharge.) July 11th. '59.Board of Commissioners of the Central Park, OFFICE, BANK OF COMMERCE BUILDINGS. New=York, July 12th 1859 Fred. Law Olmsted Esq. A_in_C & Supt. Sir. A Committee of three from the Board of Councilmen visited this Office to day. I have to inform you that the Committee will visit the Park to morrow, at about 4 O'C P.M. Said Committee was appointed to examine the present progress of the work. They would be most happy to see yourself and any others who can answer their enquiries &c &c. I shall provide a carriage and leave here at 3 P.M. Your's &c Geo. M Van Nort Clerk. pro temCeo. Van Nort, (Announcing intended visit of a Committed from Com. Council.) July 12. 1859,Board of Commissioners of the Central Park, OFFICE, BANK OF COMMERCE BUILDINGS. New=York, July 12 1859 My dear Sir Will you have an article prepared for the Express say by Thursday morning. it may be a column long if you like send it to me tomorrow if you can. truly And. H. Green F. L Olmsted A in CA. H. Green. July 12. '59, (Article for the Express.)Board of Commissioners of the Central Park, Office, Bank of Commerce Buildings. New=York, July 15 1859 My dr Sir The contract with Mr Cummings I have been trying to get into his hands since last Monday. It goes to the Park -comes down goes back again - & is to day down again by Mr Stone to Mr Crane. When I last saw it before to-day I requested it shd be put in Mr Cumming's hands he has subsequently called here & it had gone to the park. This morning I requested it to be delivered to Cummings. & now it is down again at Nassau St. What is the reason that nonebody cant be impressed sufficiently about it to attend to what is told them. I shd be glad to have the contract put in Mr Cummings hands without delayI hope to be up to-morrow Tryl And. H. Green F.L. OlmstedA. H. Green. (Filling contract wanted for Mr. Cummings,) July 14th. '59. July 22, 1859. Dr Sir, -- I will make it my business to report myself at the Central Park on Tuesday morning by 9 oclock. Yours truly H G. Stebbins, [?] [?] F. L. Olmsted EsqH.C. Stebbins July 22nd 1859New York July 22d 1859 F. L. Olmsted Esq Dear Sir I intended to have seen you yesterday in reference to my friend Mr Cowan who is security for Mr Clough, in grading & filling 59th St -- Mr Clough is anxious to take out the balance of the Rock adjoining the work he is now upon. I suppose a contract can be made with him to do it upon terms more advantageous than we can do it with our own force on the Park -- I have suggested to my friend Mr Cowan (whom I have long known) and in whose ability to perform what he undertakes I have the most entire confidence, to call and see you on the subject. Yours Truly Wm K StrongW.m.K Strong (Clough and Cowan's contract.) July 22. '59.Board of Commissioners of the Central Park OFFICE, BANK OF COMMERCE BUILDINGS. New=York, July 23, 1859 My dr Sir. The bearer John W. Brown is highly recommended as a landscape gardener. Mr Brown is an experienced man & will make I shd [p?] an excellent [pre?] on the Park, & I cheerfully recommend him for that purpose. Very respy And. H. Green F.L. Olmsted EsqA H Green July 23d 1859 refers to Mr. William Brown, applicant for master gardenerOffice of Property Clerk, Central Park. New=York, July 25 1859 F.L. Olmsted Esq Dear Sir Yours in refference to the Inventory of Tools is recd. In reply I would state that I misunderstood your direction at the time, but supposed that I was to report to the Executive Committee, which I did some two months since. I have just completed another inventory a copy of which I will furnishyou tomorrow Very truly Yours B. F. CraneB.F. Crane (Inventory of Tools.) July 25th. 1859. Fred Law Olmsted Esq Dear Sir, I think it would be economical to have a boring machine, as there is a great deal of boring to be done on the Centres now being constructed for the Bridges. if you think best please give an order for one it will cost from $7. to $9 Truly Yours B.F. CraneB.F. Crane. (boring machine) July 26th. 1859 Office of Property Clerk, Central Park. New=York, July 26 1859 Fred Law Olmsted Esq Archt in chg & Supt Sir Herewith I send you the Inventory of Tools &c which you asked for. it was taken July 21, 1859 Resfy B.F. Crane Prop Clk W H Crane Inventory of Tools taken July 21st 1859 Office of Property Clerk, Central Park. New=York, July 27 1859 Fred Law Olmsted Esq Archt in Chf Dr Sir Will you please give orders for the following articles viz Phelps Dodge & Co 77. lb copper @ 27¢ $20.79 Coffin & Kenworthy 1. 34 in Bellows @ $10. 1. anvil @ 8¢ for lb Peter Hayes. 1. Pipe & Funnel @ 1/a for the making. $2. B.F. Crane over The copper was got for Mr Gerstner for the gutters &c of the Rustic houses The other articles for the Blacksmith shop for the Howells Dept which I spoke to you about they were not cost over $30. B.F. CraneB. F. Crane. July 27. 1859. (Articles to be ordered.)Board of Commissioners of the Central Park, Office, Bank of Commerce Buildings. New=York, Aug. 3 1859 My dr Sir: This will introduce Thomas Dyer Esq of Chicago, with whom I have already had conversation relative to a stone-breaking machine Mr Dyer & his associate are now constructing a machine with the view of placing it upon the park for the purpose of exhibiting its capacities; they expect to be ready with it [witb] within 3 weeks, and represent its capacity at least one hundred yards per diem. No contract or agreement has yet been made with them, but Mr Dyer desires to see the ground where it is proposed to locate the machine & to make some several enquiries respecting the work to be due [&c?]. I hope that the machine will prove such as will prove serviceable to the Park. very truly And H. Green F.L. Olmsted Esq A - cAnd H Green Esq introduces Mr Dyer of Chicago Stone Breaking Mach Aug 3d 1859Board of Commissioners of the Central Park, Office, Bank of Commerce Buildings. New-York, Aug. 8 1859 My dear Sir I wish to know accurately the relative cost delivered in this city for foot of Granite Const. Brown freestone White Marble Dorchester or Albert freestone New Jersey Freestone Will you get this for me independently of Meis Stewart & Howell - this week. and Yrs Charles W. Elliot C. Vaux EsqFrom Mr Elliott to CH Crane referring cost per foot delivered of Granite &c Aug 8 1859Board of Commissioners of the Central Park, OFFICE, BANK OF COMMERCE BUILDINGS. New=York, August 8th 1859 Sir Will you have the goodness to send me your communication which was read to the Ex. Com. at their last session -- in answer to a resolution adopted by said committee on the 29th day of July -- relative to special superintendence of the bridgework on the Park? Yours truly Geo. M Van Nort. Clerk. Fred. Law Olmsted Esq. A_in_C & SuptVan Nort -- requests communication relative to special superintendence of Bridge Work Aug 8th 1859 Board of Commissioners of the Central Park, OFFICE, BANK OF COMMERCE BUILDINGS. New=York, Aug. 9th 1859 My dear Sir. Have the goodness to instruct Mr Stone to ask me if there are any answers to your communications, as to day he left your note -- went to Mr Green's -- came back and got what was in the box and left for up town -- ere I had an opportunity to arrange papers to send you as I was busy at the time Sincerely Yours Geo. M Van Nort Clk F. L. Olmsted Esq A in C & SuptVan Nort refers to Stone Aug 9th 1859 Board of Commissioners of the Central Park, OFFICE, BANK OF COMMERCE BUILDINGS. New=York, August 9th 1859 My dear Sir. Herewith please find the papers relative to pipe contract sent me on Thursday last. The digest was presented to the Board by the Prest. and ordered filed. My Executive Committee minutes show no such reference as you name. Mr Gray's resolution (as transmitted you) was only in reference to [the] dispensing with the personal services of Mess S & Howell. Yours Sincerely Geo. M Van Nort. Clerk. Fred. Law Olmsted Esq. A_in_C & Supt.Van Nort relative to Pipe contract Aug 9th 1859 Board of Commissioners of the Central Park, OFFICE, BANK OF COMMERCE BUILDINGS. New=York, Aug 9th 1859 Sir Mr Elliott desired me to enquire of you when the maps for the unbound reports will be ready so that they may be bound, and to state that there are daily applicants at this office who are very anxious to obtain copies Very respectfully E. P. Barker Fred Law Olmsted Esq Architect in ChiefBarker -- in relation to unbound maps &c Aug 9th 1859[*IV - N. Y. dupl A*] 6th Aug. 1887. Dear Mr. Parsons: I get letters from New York which indicate an impression that you and I are somewhat at odds. I want you to be assured that I do not take such a view. I try not to let my mind be occupied or my time wasted with attention to the New York Park Commissioners, and I did not read your report quite fully or thoughtfully but my impression was that you took the right position and quite likely if I was to study the question I should come to about the same general conclusions! In all the conferences that the Commissioners have sought with me I have aimed to give more importance to the office you hold and increase their trust in you -- their dependence on you. I think it right and best that Mr. Vaux and I should be in a consultory position with reference to the works we have designed together. I think it wrong and inexpedient that we should be allowed to offer advice only when it may occur to the Commissioners that they stand in need of it. I prefer that under any arrangement that may be possibly made for suitably employing us that Mr. Vaux, as resident in New York and constantly on hand should be expected to give more than it would be convenient for me to do and should be compensated accordingly. I have held always steadily to this view, since the Commissioners began to seek an arrangement with me and have prepared nothing otherwise except in answer to requests and inquiries, a civil answer to which compelled me to do so. I suppose that you have presumed this but think it better that you should be left in no doubt about it. Yours Truly, Fredk Law Olmsted.on the contrary it might be attended with advantage. I shall be at home this evening & wish to see you as soon as it is convenient for you to come down. Very tryly And. H. Green. FL Olmsted And H Green refers to occupancy of St. Vincent House Aug 9 1859 Board of Commissioners of the Central Park, Office, Bank of Commerce Buildings. New=York, Aug. 9 1859 Dr Sir I shd. think the course you propose a judicious one respecting S. & H. I shd. have definite orders given to Mr. D.H. to employ no more men but whatever men you do employ shd come through the regular organization I hope to see you this evening. Yours truly And. H. Green F.L. Olmsted Esq If I do not see you this evg. I shall try to go up in the morning at about 8 to 9.A.H. Green refers to S. H. Aug 9th 1859 Office of W. A. Stebbins & Co. 51 Exchange Place. New-York, Aug 10 1859 My Dear Sir. I beg to introduce to you Mr. Howard Carroll, the Engineer of the House of [M?p?] Comay [iminlnory?] of Troy. That figure as disposed to bid of the Iron Bridge work of the Park. To enable them to do so understandingly Mr Carroll looks to see the improvements already in progress upon the Park; and also the points as which the contemplated Bridges are to be located. I commend him to your kind attention, not only in a business point of view; he is in a family sense; feeling assured Sir you will feel gratified at the opportunity of making a most agreeable acquaintance. I am Dr Sir Yours very Trly H.G. Stebbins F. Law Olmsted Esq A in C CPW.A. Stebbins introducing Mr. Howard Carroll Aug 10th 1859 My dr Sir I was up yesterday afternoon, but didn't happen to meet you. Shall try to go up this P.M. I suppose the superintendence of the Bridge would is awarded or contemplated. I fear your arrangement for carriage stopping place to hear music will not be capacious enough. You will find McKenzie& O'Hara corner of 4th & Mercer St. excellent plumbers if any work of that sort is required. You know there is a vast amount of shame in this department. this is suggested by the "cottages" Ys ty And. H. Green Aug 12/59 FL Olmsted Esqnote from A H Green Aug 12th 1859C.P. August 17th, 1859 Wm. H. Grant Esq. Superintending Engineer Sir With reference to error in fixing the location of the abutments of Bridge No. I, Transverse Road No. 1, I respectfully report that Mr. Hawks, Arct. Engineer in Charge of the work on that Tr. Road, gave the width between the abutments = 40 feet 2 inches, making it 2 inches to wide. The annexed return as Mr. Mapes shows the cost of correcting thisError to be $13.18 The foundation masonry of South-abutment had also partly to be taken up not having been brought out to the required line. The cost of correcting this Error amounted to $28.82, making the Total-Cost of these corrections = $42.00 Very Respectfully JH Pieper Pr Asst Eng.Report on Error on Tran. Road No. 1: - Abutment Office of the } Arch't-in-Chief}. Central Park. {5th Avenue {and 79th St. Central Park Aug 7/69 Mr J. H. Presser. Prin. Asst. Engr Sir: In accordance with instruction received from you Aug. 10, I have kept the cost of moving South abutment of Bridge No 1 on Transverse Road No. 1 two inches forward, as follows: August 10th 3 Masons 1 day each $6.00 August 10th 3 laborers 1 day each$3.30 9.30 August 11th 2 Masons 1/4 day each $1.00 August 11th 1 Laborer 1/4 day each 27 1/2 1.27 1/2 August 11th 3 bls cement a 87¢ each 2.61 Total $13.18 1/2 overCost of enlarging foundation August 11th, 2 Laborers 1 day each $2.20 2.20 " 12, 3 9/10 Masons do 7.80 " " 3 5/10 Laborers do 3.85 11.65 " 15 3 5/10 Masons do 7.00 " " 2 5/10 Laborers do 2.75 9.75 3 blls cement 87¢ [?] blls 5.22 Total $28.82 Total cost of moving abutment $13.18 Total cost of enlarging foundation 28.82 $42.90 Yours Very Respectfully John L. Mapes Asst Engr.Board of Commissioners of the Central Park. Office, Bank of Commerce Buildings. New=York, August 20th 1859. Sir. At a special meeting of the Executive Committee held on the 19th inst. the following communications relative to furnishing steps for the terrace were referred to you. viz: S. Folsom. John Adair. Brown & Macomber. E.S. & P.H. Way. Alex. Edwards. John Tayler. Very respectfully Geo. M. VanNort Clerk Fred. Law Olmsted Esq. A-in- C & Supt.Van Nort giving names of parties communicating with Board in reference to Terrace Steps- August. 20th 1859 Board of Commissioners of the Central Park, Office, Bank of Commerce Buildings. New=York, August 20th 1859 Sir Have the goodness to return me the papers relative to a claim made by B.S. Adams, which I tran- smitted you on the 25th day of July and on which your report to the Board on the 4th inst. was based. Very respectfully Geo. M. VanNort Clerk Fred. Law Olmsted Esq. A-in-C & Supt.From Mr Van Nort refers to B.S. Adams' claim Aug. 20th 1859Office of Property Clerk, Central Park. New=York, Aug 24, 1859 Fred Law Olmsted Esq Dr Sir Enclosed I send you an analysis of Manure Made from the Offal. A quantity of which I understand is offered for sale by the Assigners of De Burgh & Co at a reduce price Respy Yours B F. CraneB.F. Crane concerning Compost of De Burgh & Co. August/59 Office of Property Clerk, Central Park. New=York, Aug 29 1859 Fred Law Olmsted Esq Dr Sir Mr Green was not at home at 2 P.M. to day, there was no meeting of the Executive Committee and will be none until called by Mr Green. I asked Mr Van Nort to notify you of its meeting. I have got a man to look after that Comte of Common Council Yours truly B.F. CraneNote from Mr Crane refers to Common Council - Aug 29 1859 To Fred Law Olmsted Esq Archt - in Chief & Supt. C.P. Sir I answer to the enquiries as to 1st The cost of side walls for Transverse Roads. 2d How much (& what proportion) in cement. 3rd The cost over dry wall. 4th " " " wall in lime mortar 5th What proportion of face has been squared and dressed. 6th What is the necessity for cement, I report as follows: - 1st 5200 C yds of side walls have been laid. at an average cost of $4.19 for C. yd. including all expenses but quarrying the stone. The lowest rate of any gang of masons has been $3.77 for C. yd. The highest has been $5.22 for C. yd. 2nd About 2300 C yds of the above have been laid in cement (face work) 3rd The additional cost for laying in cement over the dry wall has been 69¢ for C.yd.4th The cost of laying in cement over wall laid in Common lime mortar would be about 35¢ pr C. yd. 5th The proportion of face stone squared or nearly squared at the face is nearly the whole - as it is found from the nature of the stone used that if brought to face joints at all it is quite as cheap to square them as to try to work them in irregular shapes. The proportion of face dressed, or rough hammered, is apparently about one half. Much of the stone that show tool marks on the face have been dressed but a very little. 6th Retaining walls of this kind are usually laid in cement, in whole or in part. The necessity for it is that cement mortar being hydraulic resists the effect of wet and moisture, and makes a stronger and more durable wall than common lime mortar. In most cases, for the transverse road walls I think it would be preferable to lay the work dry than to use common lime mortar. In most cases, for the transome road walls, I think it would be preferable to lay the work dry than to us common lime mortar. In the rock cuts where the walls are mainly a mere facing to the rock, of one to three feet thick it would be impracticable to lay dry wall as it requires the cement to bond the wall well to the rock. If dry wall were used it would be necessary to increase its dimensions and give the face a greater batter or inclination. With such stone as we now have it is difficult to make a proper mortar joint on the face without a good deal of dressing - more than is usual for rubble masonry generally - If close mortar joints are not made on the face the mortar soon works out and to preserve the work the face must frequently be re-pointed. Very Respectfully Wm. H. Grant Sup Eng Central Park Aug 31, 1859.Report of Mr Grant on Transverse Walls Aug 31st 1859