Burlington; 10 April, 1870.

Hon. G. P. Marsh

My dear Sir, Yours of the 12 ultimo I received on the 8, two days since. I wrote you on the 12 March, on what day did you receive it? I am sorry to find that your affliction continues, and shall certainly make no claim in the way of correspondence, in conflict with the advice of your occulist. Your approval of closing the contract for the Ethan Allen statue is gratifying and with your full and known approval of the design, as a matter of art and taste, we may defy the critics, should there be any to defy And why not, as 'de gustibus non est,' and no morals are involved, why not make a pronunciamento?

You will perceive by my last letter that the contract (in writing) is concluded at $2200, being two hundred dollars more than it had been agreed upon but they insisted that, on reflection, they could not afford it less, and being of the same opinion, I acceded to the change. This with the $100. given the widow for the design, makes $2300., and leaves a small balance on hand, for emergencies--and an iron fence. The whole matter of course still relies upon the success of the artist in making his model (which he is now engaged in) which is to be satisfactory to the committee, before any expense can be incurred (and why not ask M. Edward H. Phelps to act with me, for you, in this matter) I have no reason to doubt the success of the artist, but should. I think, be excused for having some doubts as to my own taste and judgment. I presume M Phelps would be pleased to act. There are many things to be said before the completion of the Statue, but they may be deferred until we are assured of success--and it is barely possible that we may be able to communicate, without pen and ink, before that time! At any rate, I hope to see you this side of Jordan, whose "shining shore" is visible.

Our weather still continues in advance of the Almanac--we have planted our early potatoes, peas, beets, lettuce c. Much building is going on in all directions, some good ones. With my wife's kind regards to M M. & yourself are joined those of yours truly J N Pomeroy

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In 1855 the Vermont legislature appointed a committee to be in charge of a monument over the grave of Ethan Allen in the Green Mount Cemetery in Burlington. John Norton Pomeroy was appointed chair and Marsh served with him. Larkin Goldsmith Mead was chosen to create a figure of Allen for the monument. Unable to raise the necessary funds, the project was not completed until 1873. Mead's statue was instead placed on the portico of the State House and another figure, by Boston sculptor Peter Stephenson, surmounted the granite base erected in Burlington.

E. Phelps (1822-1900) was a Burlington attorney.

The lawyer, John Norton Pomeroy, (1792-1881) was a lawyer and prominent resident of Burlington, Vermont. He held several position in Vermont state government and was named chairman of the Statuary Committee to oversee the construction of the monument placed over the grave of Ethan Allen in Green Mount Cemetery in Burlington.