Mount Auburn Cemetery

254

Boston May 5, 1865

T.L. Wakefield Esq

My dear Sir,

Will you have the kindness to get the accompanying bill before the Judiciary Com^ee.

The first reason for its passage is that universal custom as well as the fitness of the thing has made the office of Cemetery Corporations the only place for the record of its deeds.

The second reason is that, in the absence of any general law authorizing such record there always has been and will continue to be a considerable solicitude in the minds of lot owners, as to their rights without county registration, and the more timid ones often dispel their doubts by sending their deeds to the county records.

The third reason is that there is already a large ^^{and constantly increasing} aggregation of interest in Cemetery lots in this Commonwealth, at stake, if the validity of title can be called in question for want of proper registration. -- These lots being real estate, the act would be essentially a question of titles, and I am not aware of any objection that can be raised.

The State of Maine has passed a similar act: what other states, if any, I am not aware.

I hand you a bound book containing our Charter, also the form of deed.

Very Resp.y yours

A.J. Coolidge Sec.y of Mt Aub Cem.y