Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson) (1822-1885) to Tiffany and Co.
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC08978 Author/Creator: Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson) (1822-1885) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Manuscript letter signed Date: January 1884 Pagination: 3 p. ; 20 x 12.5 cm. Order a Copy
Requesting a contribution of $5,000 towards completing the base of the Statue of Liberty. "You will no doubt deplore with us the marked indifference of the citizens of New York to the munificent gift of the French People to the People of the United States - A colossal Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World...We know that this is hardly a time to make an appeal for money, but the necessity is imperative." If the remaining half of the needed $250,000 is not raised soon, work must be halted, which would "produce the most unfavorable comments upon our patriotism and spirit." Therefore Tiffany and Company has been chosen as one of twenty prominent citizens asked to contribute. Co-signed by William Evarts and Joseph Drexel.
William Evarts was a Senator from New York. Had previously served as Attorney General, chief counsel for President Johnson in impeachment proceedings, and Secretary of State.
Joseph W. Drexel was President of the New York Philharmonic, trustee at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, trustee of the National Academy of Sciences, Director of the Metropolitan opera house, New York's chairman of the sanitary commission and commissioner of education, and a banker and philanthropist.
171 Broadway
New York January 1884
Dear Sirs; You will no doubt deplore with us the marked indifference of the citizens of New York to the munificent gift of the French People to the People of the United States - A colossal Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World.
It was presented on the one hundredth anniversary of our National Independence, in commemoration of the ancient alliance and present friendship of the two Republics. The Statue is artistically admirable, and will prove an ornament of the harbor of New York of unequalled majesty and impressiveness
Out of $250,000 needed to [2] erect a suitable pedestal less than half has been raised, after many and strenuous exertions.
The threatened stoppage of work upon the Pedestal in consequence of this neglect would produce the most unfavorable comments upon our patriotism and public spirit, not only in our own country, but throughout the civilized world.
It has therefore been suggested that twenty of the most prominent of our citizens could be named who would gladly contribute to avert so discreditable a result, and your name has been presented as one of the twenty.
Will you be kind enough therefore to inform us if you will [3] agree to pay $5000 towards the object, provided the others do; any previous subscription to be counted as part of the sum, and no publication of the list to be made until it shall be completed.
We know that this is hardly a time to make an appeal for money, but the necessity is imperative.
U. S. Grant
Mr M. Evarts
Jos. W. Drexel
Messrs
Tiffany & Company
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