Dear Mary, Through my GÇ£geniusGÇ¥ whose note I enclose I have secured $10,000 toward our plan. Before she went to Boston at Thanksgiving I asked her to speak to two friends of hers Mrs. Cabot and one other about the likelihood of Boston people, inter. In the Harvard Medical School scheme, helping us. You see here at once is secured the $10,000 left by Mr. Harvey for the medical school of women. I talked the matter over with Father who thinks the Trustees would be much more likely to consent if the proposition were indefinite before the money was raised, that is unless it were the sum down which of course we could not get without their hearing of us. I care so desperately about it that we must be sure of a majority before the proposition be put to the vote. We cannot leave it to chance. Mr GilmanGÇÖs attitude is the doubtful factor. I am sure, I think, of Mr. KingGÇÖs vote. FatherGÇÖs and Judge DobbinGÇÖs are of course pro. Mr. White and Mr. Elliot can I think be persuaded and if at the last moment you told Dr. Smith you were very anxious to have it pass he might not oppose it. When you come on next week (and try to come for a little while even if you cannot stay as long as I want you) let us talk it over and decide then on a plan of action. If the hospital is to open in March there is no time to be lost. I heard from Mr. king yesterday just before the special meeting but of course no money was promised or Father would have written today. I am nervous about waiting because I am so afraid of the medical school getting money in other ways before that from us has been given. Afterwards-- the more money it secures the better. School. It seems to me are not ready to look permanently until we have written and collected all possible names. Then the Committee or one of the Committee can look. The one will defeat the other. Mrs. AgassizGÇÖs report I enclose please return. She says there have been at annex only two suitable persons. She thinks Miss Agnes Balch whom I thought of would be splendid but beyond our reach. There are several other Boston people I want to hear from before we or you go there. Then too later, after Christmas, I am going for a few days to Smith College (perhaps you could go too) and that would give an opportunity to see some few more people. If you were willing to wait, say three weeks, I think we would have more chance of success and you know-- it is as I told you this secretary you and I must find. And our credit is staked on finding a good one. I may be mistaken but I want you to ask everyone and I will do the same for a few weeks. I have no time to tell you how glad I was to receive your letter which came as I was in bed-- as usual this past week-- recovering from my headache nor how I hope you will come Thursday if you can if not Friday or Saturday so at least if we can do nothing more we may consult nor how ashamed I am of these repeated scrawls.
