Letter from Mary Elizabeth Garrett to M. Carey Thomas, March 23, 1893

Dearest Minnie, I told you last night that I had been thinking over your affairs yesterday when I was not too tired, and this morning I have been doing what I was too tired to do then - going over accounts. I know there is no risk of your misunderstanding me when I tell you that what I want you to do now is to work the interest factor. You have used all the arguments that ought to prevail and it looks as if they would not, and it seems to me too important a thing for you to hesitate about using the lower ones which may produce an effect where the others fail. I should think that you could use Mr. Childs if you chose, getting him to say himself definitely that his interest in the College ceases when you leave it and that he will change his will. A definite statement of that sort should certainly have some weight with a set of business even like these, for they certainly would feel that they ought to think very seriously before absolutely cutting off an addition to the endowment and to the Trust whose interests they have undertaken to guard. Then about me, I think you could say that you had told me of the present condition of affairs (there is certainly nothing extraordinary in telling a friend of the possibility of such a great change in your plans) or if you chose you could say you told me when I gave you $2000, asking you to spend it on your department within the next _?_ months, as it seemed so improbable that you would be there, and that I had expressed the greatest regret, that I thought no greater misfortune could befal [sic] the cause of higher education of girls and women in this country than to have the policy of Bryn Mawr changed, and that of course it would be perfectly clear to every one [sic] who was interested in educational matters that your not being elected as Dr. RhoadsGÇÖ successor meant a change of policy and could mean nothing else, as the success under his and your policy had been so brilliant and so solid that I had both hoped and intended to help the college further; this present gift being only a beginning; but that my interest would of course cease wholly and entirely when your connection with it was severed and it took a place among the rest of the girlsGÇÖ colleges. Then you may say, if it seems best to be absolutely definite that I said I intended, providing you were made President, giving you to expend, at your sole discretion, for the college, $5000 next year and each succeeding year that you remained President, in the same way, $10,000. You may not think it necessary to state the amounts and I of course should prefer not, and I should very much prefer to have anything that you say regarded as confidential by them, but I shall be entirely satisfied to have you use your information as seems best of course taking Mamie into your councils. Also if my word is not enough, I would willingly send you a signed formal document. I could easily get R. de F. to draw me up one confidentially. It would be very simple, the two conditions being easy to state tersely, provided 1st that you are made President I agree to give $5000 during the scholastic year 1893-1894, to be expended at your sole and absolute discretion 1st for the development of the English department and then for the College in general (not I suppose, however, for building?) and each year thereafter so long as you continue President and I live, $10,000, in the same terms. Of course you see the desirability of such a proposition being regarded as absolutely confidential and I should prefer not stating the sum definitely partly because (this is of course only for you) I may possibly be able to make it $10,000 next year. It will depend upon whether a settlement is reached about a thing that has been pending for some time; if it is settled satisfactorily and as I hope it may be, I can; otherwise not. And in the after years, I hope I should be able to do more, but since I could not promise so this hope is also only between ourselves. The $2000 I want you to take now, for the simple reason that I think the actual money will make them believe much more in my earnestness than your statement that I told you I intended to give it. The [statement?] (about no. 351 or 352, I think) is still in my cheque book and Miss Murphy can fill up a cheque further on in the book for you personally (leaving off the [statement?] belonging to the new cheque) and you can enclose it to me for signature. I wish I could have said all this to you instead of writing it but it was necessary for me first to go over these accounts carefully. It is detestable to put it so baldly, but indeed this is a legitimate use to put that awful power, money, to; and you surely can not hesitate about it, because it is the very best possible use it could be put to, and the one that I most want to put it to, and if in our doing that, it can do more, you know how happy it would make me. The attitude of these men. J.G. and P.G. (how I hate to have them bear my name) simply makes my blood boil. How much more has to be done before womenGÇÖs position is what is should be! I am so sorry for the headache and that you should have been unwell for such an evening. It was enough to make you ill again. But Dr. White has come to give me electricity for the first time and I must finish later. Last night I had more pain than was agreeable and a slight return, but only slight. 5 P.M. I was too tired and sleepy after she left to do anything but try to sleep, but now feel a little revived, having just had some of your tea. Thanks for forwarding the extra parcel which arrived this morning. Thank you very much for sending your fatherGÇÖs letter - it is really a lovely one. I wonder whether your head is still aching and I wonder whether you will realize how much I want to see you and talk to you - and my darling, you will not misunderstand me in any way - If I could only be doing something to help you through this dreadful time instead of lying here as useless as a log. MamieGÇÖs letter to her father was effectual you see and I am so much obliged to her. I will acknowledge Mr. GGÇÖs in a day or two. You will let me know of course if you hear anything about the matter. Might not your friend Gen. [Agnus?] be convinced to take our side? I am going to say goodbye now, as I had such miserable dreams again all night and am going to see whether not writing at night makes any difference. Are you not unwell too soon? I was right, Dr. C. says it ought not to have been until at least 4 days later, but that the treatment sometimes has that effect, so it may have been responsible. With so much love, my dear one, and a goodbye kiss, even if it is only the beginning of twilight. Lovingly yours, Mary E.G. I have just done what I very seldom do, read over this letter, and if I were not very tired, I should tear it up and write another. What I have suggested, you saying to your Trustees sounds as if I thought having the power of giving some money really made my opinions of some value - but as I do not believe you are likely to think so, I will send it with all its faults and shortcomings. More of one kind of thing I could say if I dared. Please destroy my yesterdayGÇÖs letter.