Mount Auburn Cemetery

considerable sums of money have been paid for work already done. It is to be recollected that these Contracts were entered into by virtue of a vote of the Trustees passed in Sept ^r & Oct ^r , 1854 - which was adopted by seven members out of nine, & sanctioned by their written approval - an unprecedented unprecedented formality of this Board; - and Since then, two elections of Trustees have taken place, at which all those members who voted for the purchase of Statuary - who did not voluntarily withdraw for their own convenience - were rechosen by the Proprietors; -

The majority of the Committee are of opinion that is is expedient to go on with the Contracts made for the acquisition of the three Statues of John Winthrop, James Otis and John Adams;- And they are also of opinion that in future that all appropriations for the embellishment and improvement of the Cemetery be restricted to such objects as may be deemed essential;-

Submitted for the Comm" ^ee by

Charles P. Curtis

W ^m R Lawrence

be saved to the Corporation. -

Your Committee have ^^{The undersigned has} looked into this subject and they finds it to stand substantially thus: contracts have been entered into with Randolph Rogers for a Statue of John Adams - at a cost of $5000 - on which $1000. have been paid - with Richard S. Greenough for a Statue of Gov. Winthrop at a cost of $5000. on which $1000 have been paid. - and the preliminary to a contract with Thomas Crawford for a Statue of James Otis at a cost of $5000 on which nothing has been paid. -

We are told that this Statuary was one of the original designs of the founders of Mount Auburn - This may or may not have been the case. - But if it were so, the Committee ^ ^undersigned can see in that fact no good reason why the design should be carried out if it be inexpedient to do so. - That such however was the original design the Committee would hardly ^ ^be gathered from the language of Judge Story as quoted in the legal opinion before referred to, or if it were the design _that

Voted, That it is important to place the Statues of Gov^r Winthrop, James Otis, and John Adams in the Chapel or Grounds of Mount Auburn

Voted, That a Committee be appointed with full powers to carry the suggestions contained in this report regarding the Statues into effect in such manner as they may deem [important?]

All of which is respectfully submitted --- Cha^s G. Narro

To G. W. Bond Treasurer of Mount Aburn Cemetery

Pay to Richard S. Greenough Esq one thousand dollars on account for work done on a statue of Gov. Winthrop to which sum he is now entitled by the terms of his contract.

Jacob Bigelow President of Mt. Auburn Cemetery

Boston July 2, 1855

These presents are to certify to all whom it may concern that the undersigned, D.K. McRae, United States Consul at Paris, France bears witness to the execution in plaster, of a Statue of Gov: John Winthrop by Richard S Greenough, Sculptor of Boston, Massachusetts, which Statue, being in a sitting posture, is of the following dimensions, viz From the bottom of the plinth to the top of the head, 5 feet, 4 1/2 inches; Lengh of Plinth 4 feet; width of d. 2 feet 2/8 in. Thickness of d. 4 2/8 In.; Said Statue conforming in all essentials to the action and position of a plaster sketch of one third size, modeled by said Richard S. Greenough in Boston, Mass.

Given under my hand and official Seal at Paris aforesaid this 25th day of April 1856.

D.K. McRae U S Consul

{stamp: Consulate of the United States of America (Paris) E PLURIBUS UNUM in black ink}