This one was clearly written ‘at work’ – it’s on company headed notepaper!
Long Island Seashore Company 18 Broadway and 5 Beaver Street New York Feb 25th 1916 Dear Jack Hope you and yours are all well, and that this cursed war has not seriously hampered your business. Referring back to the agreement between Father you and I regarding post office premises, and your giving Henry V. Green $31.0.0 on account of the Fifty Pounds mentioned therein, about which we communicated with each other in May 1911., As I understood from you at that time, the difference between the £31.0.0 given to Green and the £50.0.0 called for under the agreement, i.e. £19.0.0, you held back this amount for some claims you had against the estate, and had presented a bill of particulars to Harry to be filed in father's liabilities. Last December I received a complete statement of the assets and liabilities of the estate to June 30/14 but I saw no item therein to cover the above £19.0.0. Will you refresh my memory of the facts in this matter, as I am rightfully entitled to that sum. I recall, in fact I have before me, your letter of May 10/11 stating I was entitled to certain rents from the estate but explained to you ar that time why I would not make any such claim. Harry sent me the statement referred to end of December last, I forwarded it to Sam within a few days, to be accurate on Dec 28th, but Sam has not even acknowledged the receipt of same yet. It is this kind of fossilated slowness that makes the winding up of Father's little estate a farce. I am honestly disgusted at the lack of common sense displayed; a blind person could se the many defects is fathers will and how such defects must of necessity boomerang on all by and by; besides no one seemed to exercise intelligence enough to investigate the delicate points as to poor Father's rights and powers. For a time it did seem yo me as if there was going yo be sufficient excuse to enter upon a legal fight. Many times I thought of writing you to exercise your business intelligence in the situation, but I felt why should you bother your head when the situation did not concern you. I hope nw that as soon as the situation is cleared up to a certain date, that the terms and letter of the Will can be carried out, even though it must of necessity take quite a time. I cannot refrain from repeating my disappointment at the whole bunch not having more common sense that to try and wipe out the many defects under the Will and seek a business adjustment of the situation; even from the most selfish point of view this should have been done, however it is now for the Executors or Trustees to administer the Will upon its exact terms, and in strict accordance with the Law governing the case. Personally I don't care howl long it takes, all I hope is that I won't be bothered in the future as I have been in the past. Well Jack we are feeling the effects of the war over here very much; to give you some practical idea, I have not done as much business in Nov, Dec, Jan and this month as I did in the month of October. One consolation is every one is in the same boat, so I am not worrying. I believe that as soon as the war ends we will have three or so years of the greatest this Country has ever sen, and believe me I will drive things then and make up for this present hold up. Let us hope that they will soon land a friendly bomb on the Kaisers head, just for his glorification, such a friendly act would stop this awful blood shed. The Germans over her have done their best to kulterise public sentiment, but have miserably failed, infact they are becoming a much hated race over here. The general feeling is they are not loyal Americans. Again hoping that you and yours are well, that they and you have been well, and that your business is good, I an, as ever Your affectionate Uncle Richard W Long