Letter

Handwritten letter with envelope from writer Julian Hawthorne in Philadelphia, to Eli Ransom Sutton of the University of Michigan, postmarked May 12, 1902, concerning the prospect of writing a biography of Hazen S. Pingree. The letter is on Colonial Press stationery, however the letterhead has been crossed out. The letter reads:

1208 Spruce St. Phila.
April 23, 1902
My dear Sutton,
I have [?] considered your letter, and this is what I think. You have been at a lot of pains about the thing, out of [?], and I want to do all possible in the [?]. If the book is to be such as I can be[?] in four months. I am willing to undertake it for $2500, and half of whatever royalties may come in after this sum has been [?] by then[?]. The $2500 to be paid to me upon the ratifying of this understanding. The materials on [?] to be sent to me here, and I will then engage to furnish[?] the complete copy for the book, 350pp on or before Oct. 1st 1902. If Mrs. Pingree consents[?] to this, I would like to have the above minimum[?] fulfilled in[?] once. Of course I regret, on other accounts besides my own. There the book is to be curtailed: it would have made a splendid 2-vol. work. But I will do my best with it out of regard for the subject, one of the best of Americans.
As [?] work, I will only [?] to bear in mind that I am cordially mistaken in it, and should more than plan to [?] help then.
[?]
Julian Hawthorne