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July 9, 1947
Dear Cesar,
I was rather surprised to receive today from New York a copy of a letter received by the firm from the Director of Fogg Museum in he communicates to me a letter he received from you, requesting him to insure the three paintings from the D. collection at certain valuations. This calls for several remarks.

As you know so well, the New York firm has right along been insuring these paintings, and this per the firm's correspondence with Mr. D., at entirely different valuations than the ones you have intended to the Fogg Museum. Also, as I thought you understood as far as the American Law is concerned, the firm of J.S. & Co. is in some way trustee of these paintings and responsible for them to the American government. In other words, the Fogg Museum received a sort of delegation of the firm's trusteeship and cannot act in connection with these paintings without referring the matter to J.S. and Co. Thus their necessity of communicating with us.

Furthermore, should they carry out the instructions you have given them, you realize that Mr.D. would have to pay two insurance premiums and you will agree that not only would this be detrimental to his interest, but also make little sense as only one of the insurors could be called to account in case of need. As long as J.S. & Co. is trustee for the pictures and has right along insured them and is thus responsible for them, I feel that, without consulting any lawyer, we would have to insure them in any case.

When the paintings were shipped to Boston, per Mr.D's instructions, I advised the Director

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