Name/Title
LETTER PROPOSING PURCHASE OF SAW KILL FROM ROBERT DONALDSON TO LOUISE DAVEZAC LIVINGSTONEntry/Object ID
MP.2005.658Description
Handwritten letter on folded paper from Robert Donaldson to "Mrs. Livingston," January 5, 1841; has "had two interviews / with Mr. Cruger about his Red Hook Property (sic)," Mr. Cruger "is anxious to / raise money by the sale of some of his property," "the Price (sic) which he annexes to the Lower Mill / including the Land (sic) on both sides of the creek & the / water rights from the Cataract (sic) to the River (sic) is $10,000 (underscored) - this includes all that we need to have...," has "no doubt he wil take $8,500 or $9,000 for it / if it is offered now. (underscored)," if the deal does not go through, he will "sell Blithewood, rather than struggle / with the countless vexations & annoyances of Factories;" vertical rectangular embossed insignia in upper left corner of first page; letter written on first, second and third pages; partial seal attached on center right of third page and center left and center right of fourth page; scribble in red ink near center left of fourth page; red, circular postage stamp, "NEW-YORK / JAN / 5" in center of fourth page.
Text as follows:
D 44
PAGE 1
New York Jany 5th 1841 /
My Dear Madam, /
Since I had the pleasure to receive / your letter of the 21st (IW). I have had two interviews / with Mr. Cruger about his Red Hook Property / As you express a desire to know what steps I may take / in the matter, I will now communicate to you as clearly / as I can our proceedings so far. /
It is very obvious that Mr. Cruger is anxious to / raise money by the sale of some of his property there / and the price which he annexes to the Lower Mill / including the Land on both sides of the creek & the / water rights from the Cataract to the River is $10,000 - / This involves all that we need to have – and I have / no doubt that he will take $8,500 or $9,000 first / if it is offered now,
The utmost extent to which I can go is to bear 2/3rds – & to take therefor (sic) the / part on my side of the creek – and I confidently (?) / expected that you would (IW) have acceded to / my proposition – vizt. To take the lot \ of 5 or 6 acre \ on / your side of the Creek with the water power adjoining it / of the Cataract, - particularly as I could arrange the / requisition by taking your Bond \ for 1/3rd the purchase / money \ payable in 2 or 3 years – If he is allowed / to obtain the lot on your side – he may lease or sell it for some / Mill or Factory - \ by means of a Bridge \ and annoy us as /
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Much as ever. I am decidedly of the opinion that / if we permit this opportunity to be lost – it may be / a subject of (IW) regret to us hereafter. /
Mr. Kent of the firm of Taylor & Kent of Barrytown / informed me a day or two since, that the tenant / who is to succeed Heller expects to pay his Rents / by raising Hogs & I think he intends t fatten 100 there / next year. /
I can easily forsee annoyance from / that source and you may be compelled to erect / fences all along the creek to protect your grounds. /
But the apprehension of nuisances in the shape / of Factories with the (IW) trespassing & depredations / of the People about them -gives me anxiety. /
Two years ago Cruger could have sold for a large sum / his mills & water Rights ro some Birmingham Mann - / factories if there have been water enough for their / purpose. By his map now lying before me I / see that the Lot on your side is considered a site / for a Factory & the Island \ near the Rustic bridge \ is / the site for another - & should these ever be erected, no / vigelence can prevent depredations upon your wood / vegetables & birds – nor prevent your (IW) from / becoming a thoroughtfare to Barrytown./
If that property of Cs. Passes into other hands \ & I under- / stand that he is going to Europe to accomplish it \ you / & I may (IW) to be anxious to buy it back at / double the price, for which it may now be secured. /
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For myself – I should sell Blithewood, rather than struggle / with the countelss vesations & annoyances of Factories. /
If we buy the property I feel convinced that the money / will be wisely expunded - & the investment may be / desirable both for present protection or future use / With the Creek as our dividing line, I feel no delicacy in saying to you that I should consider / Montgomery Place & Blithewood as the most valuable / & chaming Villas in this Country. /
I earnestly hope that you will immedialty / consent to co-operate with me, (IW) (IW) proposed / - otherwise the affair must terminate here /
I observe what you mention about / Crs. Title – but I, of course, would take every / precaution, & not pay anything until his title / was established & every encumbrance removed /
You will oblige my by an answer to his / as C is awaiting my decision. /
Mrs. Donaldson & my sister Isabella desire / their kind regards to Mrs. Barton & yourself / in which I sincerely concur /
I am Madam /
Very truly yoursrvt (sic)
Robert Donaldson /
Mrs. Livingsont /
Phila a.
PAGE 4
Mrs. Edward Livingston /
318 Chestnut St. /
Philadelphia
Circular postmark in red ink with “NEW – YORK / JAN / 5” stamped withinCondition
Notes
Remarks: Horizontal tear at upper left fold; horizontal tears across lower fold on first page; vertical tear at lower left fold on first page; chipping at lower right corner of first page; vertical tear in upper inner center fold and minute tear at bottom of center inner fold; vertical tear above center upper fold of third page; long, horizontal tear, across the entire page, at lower fold of third page; surface dirt, staining.Relationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Louise Davezac LivingstonNotes
RecipientGeneral Notes
Note Type
StorageNoteNote
Home Location: Historic Hudson Valley, Union Church, Storage, Shelf 27BNote Type
DepartmentNote
Library