Frederick Law Olmsted

SUBJECT FILE

Parks

New York, N.Y.
(Esp. Central Park) 1860 July - Aug.  [*13*]Mr. Olmstead

Board of Commissioners of the Central Park,

OFFICE, BANK OF COMMERCE BUILDINGS,

New York  July 2'd 1860


My dear Sir

The bill of E & M Blunt's
which I gave you a few
days since for the hire of a
Theodolite, is an error, the Park
is not to be charged for it, and
the bill was sent through a
mistake of their bookkeeper.

Yours respy.,
E. R. Barker

B F. Crane Esq
Property Clerk
C. P.

Mr. Grant will give himself no
further trouble about this Bill
B.F.C.E. P. Barker
to
B. F. Crane
referring to Bill
of E. G. W. Blunt

July 2d 1860

Board of Commissioners of the Central Park,
OFFICE, BANK OF COMMERCE BUILDINGS,
New York, July 2 18[5]60
My Dear Sir.

Mr R K Haight of this
city proposes to present to the Board of Comrs.
his celebrated Statue of "Flora" by Crawford.
The Committee on Statuary
Fountains &c are directed to ascertain the expense
of providing a suitable place for it on the
Park; which means some kind of temper, or
design appropriate for such a work.
Will you as your earliest
convenience furnish the Committee with your views
on the subject?
I will take the occasion
to suggest, that the Architectural structure
on the terrace might be considered a proper
place for such a Statue?

Yours Very Resp'y
H. G. Stebbins
Chairman &c

Fred Law Olmsted/ Esq
A in C & Supr.,H. G. Stebbins
refus to contemplated
present by M Hayles
J Crawford "Flora"

July 2nd 1860Office of W. A. Stebbins & Co.
51 Exchange Place.
New-York, Jul 2 18[5]60

My Dear Sir,

The Bearer is
Robt R Moore whom you will
remember as my applicant for
a position on the Police force -

My note directing
him to [repor?] himself it appears
he has nevr recd'. 

I send him
that you may do what you
can in the premises -

Yours Very Try
H.G. Stebbins

F Law Olmsted Esq
A in C & SuprH. G. Stebbins
introducing Mr.
Rob.t R Moore, a 
candidate for 
Depmt Force

July 2nd 1860



Board of Commissioners of the Central Park,
OFFICE, BANK OF COMMERCE BUILDINGS,

New=York,  July 3 1860

Mr Dr Sir

Mr. Peter Hayes sends a Bill 
comprising among other items one of $28-- 
for a red Ball, this is the skating Ball 
and its cost is extravagant to a degree 
that required examination.  I enclose a 
note of Mr. Crane giving [the] reasons for 
it.  Whoever had this business in charge 
should in my judgment be censored 
for the manner in which it was done. 
Will you enquire into it. and let me 
know who planned & ordered it as I 
purpose if some satisfactory explanation 
is not given to go the Board with it

Very respy
And. H. Green
Tr. CP.

F L Olmsted Esq
A in C C.P.And. H Green
Skating Ball

July 3 /60

My Dear Sir.
When engaging to
see Mr Haight on Thursday mg,
and to dine with him on
Thursday afternoon, we both
forgot that the Board of
Commissioners hold a regular
meeting on that day, and that
important duties will require
your attention in the morning
preparatory to it. Will you
while offering your own
regrets to Mr Haight oblige
me by signifying mineIt is impossible for you to
make the morning Sir, and
for me to dine there on
that day

Yours Very Truly
H.G. Stebbins

F Law Olmsted Eq —H. G. Stebbins
desired apologies to
Mr Haight for not
being able to pay
promised visit

July 3d 1860

Board of Commissioners of the Central Park,
Office, Bank of Commerce Buildings,
New-York   July 5th 1860

Sir.-
I transmit - per Mr. Stone- for the
use of Mr. Olmsted, complete files of
the minutes and documents of the
Board, from its organization to
the 1st inst. Minutes of the 2nd inst. are not
yet approved, but will be transmitted as
they always have been, immediately
after approval. You should procure file
Boards for them.
Yours Sincerely
Geo. M. Van Nort
Clerk B.C. C.P.

A.J. Dallas Esq
Clk to A in C & SuptGeo M. Van Nort
sending complete 
files of minutes & 
Documents of 
B.C.C.P. form -- 
its organization 
up to date --

July 5th 1860



Board of Commissioners of the Central Park,
OFFICE, BANK OF COMMERCE BUILDINGS,

New. York  July 6th  1860.

Sir_

I desire Mr Olmsted's copy of 
Commissioner's Report to the Assembly, 
for the purpose of having it bound 
with the minutes and documents 
of the Board, for the year ending 
April 30/60.  It will be returned as 
soon as bound.

Yours Sincerely
Geo. M Van Nort.
Clerk B.C.C.P.

A J Dallas Esq
Clk to A in C & Supt CP[but there are a number of 
men who we last fall reduced from 
gardeners to laborers and 
who are employed]And H Green
refers to dimensns
of Cottages

July 6/6.0


Board of Commissioners off the Central Park,
OFFICE, BANK OF COMMERCE BUILDINGS, 
New-York July 9th 1860.

Sir
Herewith find six copies. Doc
No. 3_Architect in Chief & Superintendent's
report of June 7. 1860._
These are the last I have.

Yours Sincerely
Geo. M Van Nort.
Clk. B.C.C.P.

A J Dallas Esq 
Clk. A in C & Supt C.P.Van Nort

encloses 6 copies
of Doc 3. /1860

July 10t /60

Board of Commissioners of the Central Park,
OFFICE BANK OF COMMERCE BUILDINGS,
New-York   July 10  1860

Dear Sir:
The bearer Saml. Smith is
the man that Mr. Willett Prest. of
the Washn. Heights Commission desires apptd.
on the Police. I should be very glad
if he can be put on on some
position that will be useful to the
Park - asst foreman perhaps.

Your tr
Jno H. Green

F. L. Olmsted Esq
A in C  CPA H Green
brought by
Sam. Smith.
who was recd
by Mr. Willet
July 10

Board of Commissioners of the Central Park,
Office, Bank of Commerce Buildings,
New-York  July 12th 1860

Sir. 
I herewith transmit a certified
copy of an ordinance adopted
by the Board on the 5th inst.

Yours truly
Geo. M. Van Nort.
Clerk to Comr

Fred. Law Olmsted Esq
A in C & Supt [CP?]V.N.
certified copy of
ordinance -

July 12

[*[Mr O'har?] ordinance*]

Board of Commissioners of the Central Park,
Office, Bank of Commerce Buildings,
New-York  July 13th 1860

Sir
Mr Green desires that
you will return to this office
immediately, tomorrow Saturday
A.M. that portion of the
working plans of Cottage No
2. that was sent to you
some time since, as invitations 
for proposals are
issued.
Very respectfully
Geo. M. Van Nort
Clerk to Commission

Fred Law Olmsted Esq
A in C & Supt
C.PGeo. M. Van Nort

requests for [Atty?]
plans for Cottage
to be sent down

July 13 /60

[*Messenger will wait until Mr
Carter comes and obtain the plans
of him -*]

[*file*]


My dear Olmsted-
On the eve of
my departure, I beg
to commend to your
kind care my poor 
friend Mary & her
husband Agello-
She is well off.
But cannot Angello
be put in the gardeners
gang? - P Motts
speaks well of his
qualifications &
 II think he could
earn full as
much as any.
Try & promote
him.
Yours Truly
John A.C. Gray
Friday July 13.J.A.C. Gray Esq
recommending
Angelo

July 13 /60

Board of Commissioners of the Central Park,
Office, Bank of Commerce Buildings,
New-York  July 14th 1860

F L Olmsted Esq
Arch in Chf &c
Sir
By Mr Greens
directions I enclose the form of
a certificate, to be attached to
the monthly estimates &c of
Pat Water & Gas Pipe Co, before
they are sent to the Treasurer.
Respf &c &c
Ch H. AmennauCh. H. Amenau
for A in c & Sp
enclosing certificate
Pat Gas & Water Pipe Co.

July 14 1860

Board of Commissioners of the Central Park,
Office, Bank of Commerce Buildings,
New-York  July 14th 1860

C Vaux Esq
Consulting Arch
Sir, 
The contracts for
Bridges Nos. 8, 9 & 11 having been made
by you, Mr Green desires you to certify
to each of the monthly estimates.
I enclose [blank]
certificates for your signature to
attach to estimates for the month of
June; the correctness of the sums named
in them can be assured by the
books at Mr G Vincent; please return the
certificates to the Treasurer as soon as possible, retaining
a copy, that you may hereafter certify
to the estimates before they are sent to
this office
Respy Yrs &c
Ch H Amenn ArC.H. Amerman
for Mr Green 
to C. Vaux

sending certificates 
to be appended to 
monthly Estimates
July 16/60


July 16
My dear M Olmsted
I am going away 
for ten days -- please 
save James Vallis' 
place on the Police 
until I return.
Yours truly
R.M. BlatchfordCommissioner Blatchford
Concerning Valle's
July 19/60Office of Disbursing Clerk
Central Park  N.Y.
July 17th 1860

Sir,
Below, please find a copy of order
from the Comptroller, dated July 16th
Mickmillin

"Sir,
Let the returns of extra time made
in all departments be on a separate sheet,
and for the exact amount of time actually
made.
The returns of all Axemen, Rodmen, and
Engineers to be certified as to their correctness
by W.H. Grant Superintending Engineer.
The return of time of General Foremen
to be certified as to its correctness by
Mr Kellogg and Mr Grant.
No Foreman shall be permitted to
alter his time-book after it has been
handed in to the office of the Disbursing
Clerk.
(signed)   And. H. Green
                Comptroller Central Park"

[*Mema - To enable Mr Kellogg to certify,
Gen. F. Pilat & Gall should report to him
as other Gen Foremen. An thing to be so
mistrusted?  I can only certify from
a general knowledge as heretofor & from Mr
Kellogs report - 
W.H. Grant*]
At a meeting of this Board held on the 
11th Inst the following resolutions were adopted:

Resolved that the Treasurer is Authorized 
to pay not exceeding 8 persons engaged as Messengers 
& Clerks and in the Care and Sweeping and 
Cleaning of building at the Park, at a price 
not exceeding $1.50 pr day each, and that hereafter 
no changes in the rate of pay within the limits 
heretofore Authorized by the Board Shall be 
made without the previous Sanction of the 
Comptroller of the Park.

Signed,
Geo M. Van Nort
Clerk to Commission

Mr O.
Over --Does this refer to men promoted and to men 
transferred to positions of higher pay?

R. H. G.Resolution of 
Board Authorizing 
employment of 
8 men @ $1 50/100 -- 
with pencil notes 
from Mr Grant & 
Mr. Miller,
July --No 245 Water St.
18 July 1860

My dear Sir,
Understanding
from my friend R M
Blatchford Esq that there 
was, or likely to be, a vacancy
in the Police department of
the "Central Park", I take
the liberty of recommending
the bearer, Maurice Walsh
as a worthy, and honest
man, and qualified for
such a berth. Hoping
you will be able to 
give him a situationI remain, very respectfully
Your Obt Servt
P. H. Vanderwort

To
F.L. Olmsted Esq
Supt
Central Park

[*I know Mr Vanderwort personally
& commend his recommendation
to you [?], if the vacancy
exists to what he refers.
H. G. Stebbins
Comsr.*]H. G. Stebbins.
recommends
Maurice Walsh
for Police appt
18 July /60


Board of Commissioners of the Central Park,
OFFICE, BANK OF COMMERCE BUILDINGS,
New York July 18  1860.
Dr Sir
I have given Lyman Farley
a letter to Mr Grant as [?precious?]
I shd think it wd be well to put
him on police if you can do so.

He is recommended well
& I think wd be a good [?] tho
have not seen him personally
Yours
And H Green
F.L. Olmsted EsqAnd. H. Green
recommends
Sarles as policeman

July 19 1860

Board of Commissioners of the Central Park,
Office, Bank of Commerce Buildings,
New-York  July 18  1860

My Dr Sir
The bearer Wm. E.
Brush is the man spoken of
by [C?ings] H. Truller & of others
I spoke with you for an appt as
policeman
If you find him the
right sort of man as he seems
active & intelligent. I shall
strongly urge his appointment

And H Green

FL Olmsted Esq
A in C

Andw. H. Green
sends Brush
police applct

July 18 /60

N.Y. July 19 60
My dr Sir
The bearer Richd Williams
[kis] desires to be apptd on the
police of the C.P. He is a
young man of activity & good
training. I should be very pleased
if you will give him [c?]
attention & should like to have
him successful in his application
Yours tr
And H Green

FL Olmsted Esq
A in C
CPAndw. H. Green Esq
sends Williams
police appt.

July 19

Fredrick Olmsted Esq
Dear Sir
I particularly
request the appointment
of Alfred West on the
Central Park Police
Yours Respectfully
M.H. Grinnell
Commissioner

New York July 20th 1860M. H. Grinnell
requests appt
of Alfred West
July 20th /60

Board of Commissioners of the Central Park,
Office, Bank of Commerce Buildings,
New-York  July 20 1860

Sir
I have this day procured
permission from the Croton Aquaduct
Board to draw water through the
syphon until otherwise ordered by that
Board. The note to Mr. Ellis the
Supt. of the Reservoir has gone up
this day by Mr. Stone.
I return herewith the
petty cash account left with me
yesterday.
I should like to hear
immediately from you respecting
the required filling on 59th Street &
west of 5th Avenue entrance about the
lower lake
Yours respy
And. H. Green
C C.P.

FL Olmsted Esq
A in C  C.P.
And. H. Green
July 20.
"permission to draw
water thro' the syphon"

[*opened to get at
the petty cash
acct.  D*]


[*Reced July 21st P.M. at lower office
F.LO*]
Board of Commissioners of the Central Park,
Office, Bank of Commerce Buildings,
New-York  July 20  1860

Sir, 
There will be required an
amount of materials for constructing
Bridges No. 13 & 14. No requisition has
yet appeared for these materials
and I am apprehensive that no
person at the Park has the matter
in mind. It is too important a
part of the business of the season to
be delayed by want of materials
when the work is ready & I trust that
an immediate examination will be
made into the matter & proper plans
& estimates sent to me by which the
materials of all required kinds can
be ordered without delay
Respy
And H. Green

F.L. Olmsted Esq
A in C.  C.P.
A H Green
recd July 21 /60

[*Recd at Lower Office July 21st P.M.
FLO*]

Board of Commissioners of the Central Park,
Office, Bank of Commerce Buildings,
New-York  July 20  1860

Sir.
It appears to me that
there is an unnecessary amount
of labor and materials used in
the cleaning of the Bridges at the
Park. Whenever it is not absolutely
necessary that the cleaning should
be done it will be I trust be discontinued
Yours &
And. H. Green
Compt.  C.P.

F. L. Olmsted Esq
A in C.  C.P.A. H. Green
July 21st /60

Board of Commissioners of the Central Park,
Office, Bank of Commerce Buildings,
New-York  July 21 1860

My dr Sir
The man Fogarty
I think had better go on.
Yours
And. H. Green

F.L. Olmsted EsqA. H. Green Esq
Fogarty
July 21 /60

Board of Commissioners of the Central Park,
Office, Bank of Commerce Buildings,
New-York  July 23  1860

My dr Sir
I shall not be up this
afternoon as I unexpectedly met
Mr Grant here this morning. I hope
to see you about 6 to morrow p.m.
Yours truly
And. H. Green

F L Olmsted Esq
A in C  CPA. H. Green
July 23d

Board of Commissioners of the Central Park,
Office, Bank of Commerce Buildings,
New-York  July 24  1860

Sir
Will you have the kindness to send
to me the plans of the arsenal, ground plan
& the proposed improvements. I send by Mr
Stone some of the new maps of the Park
Yours resfy
And. H. Green
C.C.P.

F.L. Olmsted Esq
A. in C.  C.P.A. H. Green
July 24/60



Board of Commissioners of the Central Park,
OFFICE, BANK OF COMMERCE BUILDINGS,

New-York,  July 26th  1860

Sir
On the unpaid labor account of June 23d 
is returned as due Patrick Roach the sum of twelve 
dollars and sixty cents.  Mr Miller informs me that 
this man has been sent to the Penitentiary, and was 
there during the time for which he was returned as 
employed on the Park.  The accounts were made 
up from the returns of Capt. Renwick who now 
says it was a mistake.  You will recollect that 
on the late Police Investigation, Capt Renwick admitted 
mistakes which he said were subsequently 
rectified.  Although an error is not a crime, yet 
in money matters it is a very serious affair and 
it becomes those charged with these things to see 
to it that these habitually committing errors are 
either removed or so supervised as to render 
impossible their recurrence.

Capt Renwick's accounts of time should be certified 
not as matters of mere form, [but] by  
some one familiar with the time made by the 
men, as a check not upon his integrity but upon 
his tendencies to errors.  

I would suggest that the Seargeants be set to 
the duty of returning the time of the men daily, 
that the Capt. also return the time daily, and that both be transmitted daily 
after your examination to the office of 
the Disbursing Clerk to make up the time 
for payment fortnightly.

Yours respectfully
And H. Green
Comptroller of the Park

Fred Law Olmsted Esq
Architect in Chief & Supt
Central ParkA. H. Green Esq
refers to Renwick's
accounts.
July 26/60Board of Commissioners of the Central Park,
OFFICE, BANK OF COMMERCE BUILDINGS,

New-York  July 27th  1860

Sir_
At a meeting of the Executive Committee 
held this day a resolution was adopted 
in the words following:

Resolved.  That the employment of 
Anton Gereter, rustic_worker, at $5.00 per day 
and her assistants at $2.00 per day_carpenters 
at $1.75 per day_sawyers at $1.50 per 
day is hereby authorized, for the purpose of 
constructing four rustic cottages in the Ramble, 
as per resolution of the Board passed 
June 7. 1860. p.48: the said Anton Gereter 
to find all tools necessary in carrying 
on the work of constructing said cottages.

Very truly yours &c
Geo. M Van Nort.
Clerk B.C.C.P.

Fred Law Olmsted Esq
A in C & Supt C.P.Geo. M Van Nort.
Sends Board Res
concerning Anton
Gereter
July 27. 1860

Board of Commissioners of the Central Park,
Office, Bank of Commerce Buildings,
New-York  July 28  1860

Dr Sir
Why did you not send
back the contract with Mr Peet that
I have examined?
And H. Green
Compt CP

Mr Grant
Supt Engr
Mr Olmsted EsqA. H. Green

July 28th 1860

Mr Olmsted will much
oblige me if he will give
the bearer William Keating
some employment on the
Central Park.  Th. C. Fields

[*I have offered this man
employment as laborer which
is the best we can do for
him
B.F. Crane*]Comr Thos C. Fields
recommending
Wm Keating

[Mun.?]
Sent to Mr Crane
by Mr Olmsteds order
Letter returned by Mr C
enveloped & addressed
to Mr Culyer - Keating
opened the letter &
explained to Mr Culyer
as his reason he
wished to see
Olmsted Esq
what Mr Crane
said of him
A.J.D.
July 28 /60

Board of Commissioners of the Central Park,
Office, Bank of Commerce Buildings,
New-York  July 28th 1860

Dear Sir
Can you inform me of the
sex of the three remaining swans.  the
acting council of Hamburgh has recd advices
from the Senate of Hamburgh proposing
to make up the original number of swans
& it is desirable that the pairs may be
made up
Yours tr
And. H. Green 
C  C.P.

F.L. Olmsted Esq
A. in C.  C.P.

[*2 males*]A. H. Green
July 28th/60


Arsenal July 31/60

A. J. Dallas Esqr.
Secty --

Sir, 
Your 
Communication is at hand and 
in Mr Crane's absence I opened 
it.  I can do nothing in relation 
to it as Mr DeForrest & Kehoe 
are both out on the Work.  

I will 
forward it to Mr Crane this P.M. 
and it will undoubtedly be attended 
to first thing tomorrow morning

Very Respectfully Yours
George P. Barrett
Clerk.

(over)P.S.
I will inform Mr Crane 
to address you early tomorrow 
morning so to be in time to 
make new or prosecute the 
present arrangements

Yours
G.P.B.Barret
refers to arrangements
for erecting awnings
July 31 1860

Aug 1. 1860

A.J. Dallas Esq
Dr Sir
Please inform
Mr Olmsted that
the Posts & Irons are
all ready & on the 
ground
Yours
B. F. Crane

12. [J?]

[*Mr Grant wd like to
see you - D*]
Crane
posts & irons
ready for tents
Augt /60

Board of Commissioners of the Central Park,
Office, Bank of Commerce Buildings,
New-York  August 2nd 1860.

Sir.
Have the goodness to send the
drawings and plans of Bridge No. 14
to this office to morrow morning.

Yours Sincerely
Geo. M. Van Nort.
Clerk, B.C.C.P.

Fred. Law Olmsted Esq
A in C & Supt CPVan Nort
reques plans of
Br 14 sent down

Aug 1. 1860

[*Sent  D.*]

Board of Commissioners of the Central Park,
Office, Bank of Commerce Buildings,
New-York  Aug 2  1860

Dr Sir
I send herewith the
original draft of the circular to
Genl. Foremen & a copy as
proposed to be amended.  it seems
to me it can be tried without
any danger of trouble.
Yours ty
And. H. Green
C.  C.P.

F.L. Olmsted Esq
A in C  C.P.

[*Order according to copy accompanying this letter
sent to each Gen. Foreman - August 7  1860
J.Y.C.*]A. H. Green Esq
Augt 3 /60

[*Mr Grant please observe*]
Board of Commissioners of the Central Park,
Office, Bank of Commerce Buildings,
New-York  Aug 3  1860

Sir
If it shd appear to you
desirable to raise the pay of the
[work?] - men to $1 20/100 pr day so that
we may not lose the best men I
shall consent to that arrangement

Yours tr
And. H. Green 
Compt  C.P.

F.L. Olmsted Esq
A in C

I write this that you may not be
hindered in action for want of my
consent in case you shd. deem it
best to raise the pay of the [work?]
men
AHG
C.C.P.A.H. Green Esq
refers to raising
Rockmens pay

Aug 3 /60

Board of Commissioners of the Central Park,
Office, Bank of Commerce Buildings,
New-York  Aug 3d  1860

Sir
At your earliest convenience I would
like the opportunity to pass over with you
the Park below Transverse Road No. 1. with
the view of examing carefully the practicability
of reducing the amount of earth filling supposed
to be required. I am of the opinion that
it can be done.

With respect to the tents or awnings I
would suggest that no further expense be
incurred.

Yours respy
And H Green
Comptroller of the Park.

Fred. Law Olmsted Esq
A in C  & Supt
C.P.A.H. Green Esq 
practicability of
reducing amount
of earth filling - 
Aug 3d