Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Admiral Tsai, Ting-kun, December 15, 1926
Dublin Core
Title
Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Admiral Tsai, Ting-kun, December 15, 1926
Subject
Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Admiral Tsai, Ting-kun, December 15, 1926
Description
Typed letter sent from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Admiral Tsai Ting-kan. Acknowledges receipt of checks sent by Tsai and Dr. Sze. Mentions he hasn't received a second check from Dr. Sze. Askes Tsai if statements of expenditures and receipts every 6 months is a suitable arrangement. Discusses possible Christmas vacation plans for the children. States the Chinese Minister hasn't returned yet, so the children may not be able to stay in Washington. States Mrs. Nye has offered to host the children. Inquires about Mrs. Nye, as she is a stranger to Stearns. Provides updates on the Tsai children. Promises to carry out Tsai's instructions fully. Describes the relationship between Mrs. Russell and Helen.
Transcription
December 13, 1926
Admiral Tsai Ting-kan
9 Ma Ta Jen
Huting, East City
Peking, China
My dear Mr. Tsai:
Your most interesting and welcome letter of November 8 has been duly received and the check for $2,000.00 enclosed has been credited to the accounts sf the children, one half to each. Early in September Dr. Sze sent me a check for $2,000.00 which was credited in the same way, one half each to the accounts of Alfred and Helen. Dr. Sze wrote me at the time that on his return from abroad in November he would mail ms another check representing the balance left on an additional $2,000.00 which he still hold and from which some minor deductions were to be made covering the expenses of the children while they were with him in Washington. This amount I have not yet received, probably because of Dr. Sze's continued absence abroad, as I understand that he has not yet returned to this country.
It has been my custom to send a statement of receipts and expenditures to the parents concerned every half year. If you desire any other arrangements than this, please do not hesitate to let me know. With the funds now in my hands I should have ample to carry the children through the current school year, even without the sum which Dr. Sze still holds. I confess, though, that it is always a bit difficult to plan on vacation times, for vacations furnish a pretty difficult and sometimes complicated problem. Both Alfred and Helen are hoping that they will be invited to pass the Christmas holidays in Washington with Dr. and Mrs. Sze, but, owing to the former's absence, I am not sure this plan will go through. In the meantime, Mrs. Daniel B. Hye of South Weymouth, Massachusetts, has written Helen on several occasions urging her to come to her home for the holidays. The same invitation was extended for the Thanksgiving recess. This morning's mall brings me a letter from Mr. Bye, pleading eloquently that my approval to the visit be given.
Mrs. Nye always speaks as if she were well acquainted with you. She claims to have been a resident in China for sone ten or fifteen years and seems keenly anxious to have the children make her home their headquarters whenever they feel disposed to do so. Not knowing anything about her, I took occasion to inquire of an old Andover friend residing in South Weymouth and learned that Dr. Nye is a dentist there and that the family are regarded highly. I took this step only as a precaution, since Mrs. Bye was a stranger to me, but I judge from the reports given and from what I earlier expected, there is no reason why the children should not accept Mrs. Hye's invitation when they feel so inclined. If you have any reason to think otherwise, please tell me so frankly.
I have read very carefully what you have had to say about both the children and will try to carry out your instruction fully. We are much more sane and reasonable in our athletic training in these days than used to be the case when you were in this country. Our schools, especially, have systematized the athletic work to an extent that pretty definitely prevents the possibility of excesses. I have already ordered for Helen, at her request, a pair of snowshoes and will see that she has some skates, also, when the skating season comes. I am sure that Mrs. Russell will be very careful not to allow any of her girls to venture on ice until is it absolutely safe
Mrs. Russell is doing, I think, just what you would have her do in directing Helen in her life and work. She is one the old type of mothers who are increasingly hard to find in these modern days, and I should consider myself fortunate to have children of my own come under her influence in the impressionable years of their lives. She is tremendously interested in Helen and extremely fond of her, and Helen herself told me only recently that mr.s Russell read to her and worked with her almost daily on her English, and entirely outside of the school hours and requirements. Mrs. Russell is a woman of unusually fine character and high ideals; so that I am sure that her influence on Helen can be only of the best.
For the brief Thanksgiving recess, the latter part of November, I took Helen up to my brother’s at Mont Vernon, New Hampshire, where she stayed several days with her brother and under the care of my brother and his wife. The children were very happy to be together again after the separation of the few weeks that they had been away at their respective schools. Alfred, too, seems to be getting on well, and both my brother and his wife are very fond of him and speak in the highest terms of his spirit and effort.
Again assuring you of my appreciation of your letter and the pleasure I take in doing what I can for your promising and most delightful children while they are in this country, and with all good wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year, believe me
Very sincerely yours,
Admiral Tsai Ting-kan
9 Ma Ta Jen
Huting, East City
Peking, China
My dear Mr. Tsai:
Your most interesting and welcome letter of November 8 has been duly received and the check for $2,000.00 enclosed has been credited to the accounts sf the children, one half to each. Early in September Dr. Sze sent me a check for $2,000.00 which was credited in the same way, one half each to the accounts of Alfred and Helen. Dr. Sze wrote me at the time that on his return from abroad in November he would mail ms another check representing the balance left on an additional $2,000.00 which he still hold and from which some minor deductions were to be made covering the expenses of the children while they were with him in Washington. This amount I have not yet received, probably because of Dr. Sze's continued absence abroad, as I understand that he has not yet returned to this country.
It has been my custom to send a statement of receipts and expenditures to the parents concerned every half year. If you desire any other arrangements than this, please do not hesitate to let me know. With the funds now in my hands I should have ample to carry the children through the current school year, even without the sum which Dr. Sze still holds. I confess, though, that it is always a bit difficult to plan on vacation times, for vacations furnish a pretty difficult and sometimes complicated problem. Both Alfred and Helen are hoping that they will be invited to pass the Christmas holidays in Washington with Dr. and Mrs. Sze, but, owing to the former's absence, I am not sure this plan will go through. In the meantime, Mrs. Daniel B. Hye of South Weymouth, Massachusetts, has written Helen on several occasions urging her to come to her home for the holidays. The same invitation was extended for the Thanksgiving recess. This morning's mall brings me a letter from Mr. Bye, pleading eloquently that my approval to the visit be given.
Mrs. Nye always speaks as if she were well acquainted with you. She claims to have been a resident in China for sone ten or fifteen years and seems keenly anxious to have the children make her home their headquarters whenever they feel disposed to do so. Not knowing anything about her, I took occasion to inquire of an old Andover friend residing in South Weymouth and learned that Dr. Nye is a dentist there and that the family are regarded highly. I took this step only as a precaution, since Mrs. Bye was a stranger to me, but I judge from the reports given and from what I earlier expected, there is no reason why the children should not accept Mrs. Hye's invitation when they feel so inclined. If you have any reason to think otherwise, please tell me so frankly.
I have read very carefully what you have had to say about both the children and will try to carry out your instruction fully. We are much more sane and reasonable in our athletic training in these days than used to be the case when you were in this country. Our schools, especially, have systematized the athletic work to an extent that pretty definitely prevents the possibility of excesses. I have already ordered for Helen, at her request, a pair of snowshoes and will see that she has some skates, also, when the skating season comes. I am sure that Mrs. Russell will be very careful not to allow any of her girls to venture on ice until is it absolutely safe
Mrs. Russell is doing, I think, just what you would have her do in directing Helen in her life and work. She is one the old type of mothers who are increasingly hard to find in these modern days, and I should consider myself fortunate to have children of my own come under her influence in the impressionable years of their lives. She is tremendously interested in Helen and extremely fond of her, and Helen herself told me only recently that mr.s Russell read to her and worked with her almost daily on her English, and entirely outside of the school hours and requirements. Mrs. Russell is a woman of unusually fine character and high ideals; so that I am sure that her influence on Helen can be only of the best.
For the brief Thanksgiving recess, the latter part of November, I took Helen up to my brother’s at Mont Vernon, New Hampshire, where she stayed several days with her brother and under the care of my brother and his wife. The children were very happy to be together again after the separation of the few weeks that they had been away at their respective schools. Alfred, too, seems to be getting on well, and both my brother and his wife are very fond of him and speak in the highest terms of his spirit and effort.
Again assuring you of my appreciation of your letter and the pleasure I take in doing what I can for your promising and most delightful children while they are in this country, and with all good wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year, believe me
Very sincerely yours,
Creator
Dr. Alfred E. Stearns
Publisher
Phillips Academy
Date
December 15, 1926
Rights
All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy
Language
English
Type
Manuscripts. Correspondence.