Letter from Tsai Ting-kan to Dr. Alfred E. Stearns, January 15th, 1927

Letter from Tsai Ting-kan to Dr. Alfred E. Stearns, January 15th, 1927

Letter from Tsai Ting-kan to Dr. Alfred E. Stearns, January 15th, 1927

Typed letter from Tsai Ting-Kan sent to Dr. Alfred E. Stearns. Sent first draft of $9000. Plans to send additional second draft of $6000. Hopes this money will finance the children's education for 7-8 years. Worries the civil war in China will affect the foreign exchange rate. Inquires about placing money in an account to gather interest. Wonders about the possibility of a scholarship for the children. Mentions several people who would like to visit the children in America, including Dr. and Mrs. Nye, Dr. David Linn Edsall, Mrs. Dwight Hall, and Mr. and Mrs. Wallace W. Atwood. Thanks Mrs. Russell and Mr. Stearns for caring for his children. Plans to write to both. Thanks Dr. Stearns also. Believes a yearly account sent during the summer would be best.

Peking, January 15th, 1927
Dr. Alfred L. Stearns
Principal,
Phillips Academy,
Andover, Mass.

My dear Dr. Stearns,

Your welcome letter of December 15 arrived last evening and I am glad the remittance of $2000 has reached you safely. I am now sending First Draft on $9000 to be followed up by Second Draft a fortnight hence. It is my intention to supply the children with sufficient money to carry them through for seven or eight years. The civil war in China and the foreign exchange are most uncertain elements. If their education is not disturbed all our minds will be relieved. I am sure when Dr. Sze returns from Europe he will write you about the children’s funds- Yesterday I bought another $6000 to be remitted to you later on. Don’t you think it advisable to place what is not immediately needed in fixed deposit so that we may get a small interest. I am always careful of the “penny”since it is the father to the “pound”.

The children write regularly and in a most cheerful mood. They say that all the teachers and students treat them kindly. The only thing they miss is home. If their records of study can be preserved they may be able to get a scholarship provided their marks will come up to requirements. Will you kindly ask Mrs. Russell and Mr. Stearns, your brother, to keep this in mind?
Dr. and Mrs. Nye have resided in China for a long time. Mr. Julean Arnold, the American Commercial Counsellor wrote to them to meet my children and Mrs. Nye invitation must be in response to Mr. Arnold’s request. I will write to them to thank them for their kindness.

I have met Dr. David Linn Edsall several times since his arrival in Peking. He said he knows you well and spoke of you in highest terms. He intends to call on my children when he returns to his duties in Harvard. Possibly Mrs. Dwight Hall of Dover, N.H. will ask my children to visit her when she returns to America. I took her in to dinner when we were guests of the American Minister. I also dined with Mr. and Mrs. Wallace W. Atwood, president of Clark University. They too would like to meet my children. I must not lose this opportunity to thank Mrs. Russell and Mr. Stearns for their parental care of my children. I feel that nothing is left undone for their bodily comfort and, their intellectual advancement. To my shame I have not yet written to either of them but I will do so by the next fall. And will you, Dr. Stearns, accept the heart felt thanks of myself and my wife for your interest in our children and your constant care for them? My wife cannot write to you direct because she knows only Chinese. She endorses every word I write.

I enclose herewith the First Draft of a check for $9000 which kindly place in the same fund for the children’s school expenses. I purposely have the check in your name
as a safe guard. You mentioned in your letter about rendering me an account. Please do not do so till Dr. Sze hands over to you the balance of the money still held by him. A yearly account sent during the summer vacation when you have more leisure to look after details would not be a bad idea. What do you think?

With best wishes for health and prosperity.

Yours very sincerely,
Tsai Ting-kan

Tsai Ting-kan

Phillips Academy

January 15th, 1927

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English

Manuscripts. Correspondence.