The Thomas A. Edison Papers Digital Edition

Transcription

January 27, 1891.
Edison United Phonograph Co.,
G. N. Morison, Esq., Secretary, 
Mills Building, New York City.
Dear Sir:
With reference to your letter of 14th instant in regard to the presentation of a phonograph to the National University of Chili, I note that at Mr. Insull’s suggestion decision in this matter was reserved until you can communicate with Mr. Edison. 
In considering the matter of this presentation it will be well to remember that on the 26th of July last I addressed a letter to the Hon. Wm. Henry Trescot on the subject, in which I said that the Edison United Phonograph Co. was willing to donate a phonograph with a complete outfit to the University and that all that the Company would require would be a guarantee that the machine would not be used for any other purpose than that specified in Mr. [Egan’s?] first letter, which was referred to you on the 22nd of July last, when the matter first came up. I wrote this letter to Mr. Trescot on the strength of one received from Mr. Jesse Seligman, dated 23rd July, 1890 (press copy herewith), in which he indicated the willingness of the United Company to make the presentation, providing that Mr. Edison and Mr. Insull thought it was advisable to do so, and that the Company received a proper guarantee relative to the use of the machine. Mr. Seligman was duly advised that both Mr. Edison and Mr. Insull were of the opinion that it would be a graceful act on the part of the United Company to make the presentation, after which I received a communication from Mr. Seligman (press copy enclosed herewith), in which he asked if Mr. Edison had in view any particular time when the phonograph should be send to the University of Chili, and adding that the Company would no doubt be glad to carry out his wishes. In response to the communication last referred to I informed Mr. Seligman that Mr. Edison had in view no particular time when the phonograph should be sent to the University and that he would be glad to carry out any instructions of the Edison United Phonograph Co. with reference to the matter.
From the facts related in the foregoing it would seem that it was definitely settled by your Company that a phonograph, with a complete outfit, would be presented to the National University of Chili; and in view of my letter to Mr. Trescot of July 26th previously referred to, the contents of which were communicated to Mr. Egan, and by the latter communicated informally to the Rector and Secretary of the College, the only thing to be done now is to forward the phonographic outfit as early as practicable. A long time has elapsed since the promise was made to donate the phonograph, and Mr. Egan in his last letter to Mr. Prescot (copy of which you have) says that the University will gladly give the guarantee required by your Company in any manner that may be desired. 
Mr. Edison has not yet replied to Mr. Trescot’s last letter, as he does not wish to do so until he can advise him definitely on the subject of the presentation.
Yours very truly,
A O Tate