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451
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However, it is too early to prophesy what will happen but I shall be surprised if the President does not eventually carry the day  and bring about an acceptance of my offer, either from the Smithsonian Institution or the Government, itself, direct. Whenever anything of interest happens concerning the gift I shall gladly keep you posted.

Now, concerning your purchase of the Villa Castello: I really feel that under the circumstances it is much better that the entire ownership should rest in you. So if you will prepare, or will have prepared, the proper legal documents and forward them to me I will execute and send them back promptly. The price to be, $6,200.00, as mentioned in our correspondence, and that amount can be realized - as suggested in your last letter - out of your Kennebeo Bonds and the Osburn Mortgage; but the matter of payment we will postpone until the papers are executed. I understand and appreciate your thoughtful reference as to what the possible actual value of Villa Castello is or may be, but I could not under any circumstances think of accepting from you a penny more than the price named - $6,200.00. And I feel that your conclusion - to keep the place for your own use - the wisest thing to do. Naturally we are mutually distressed in realizing the collapse of our old plans and hopes, and the situation is most unfortunate all round. My failure to convince you of the accuracy of the verbal statements made to you in London discourages me in further efforts in that direction. So let us forget everything of an unpleasant nature associated with my former interest in the Villa. I shall exclude