The Portland daily press., 1880-02-03
That History

Place is given to the following statements re-
ferring to matter which has been somew hat
freely discussed of late. Whatever our views
may be as to the merits of the work or the pre-
cesses OF the canvassers therefor, we certainly
have no disposition to do the publishers any
injustice and readily assent to make public any
statement of reasonable extent in their de-
fence, especially when authenticated by SO
very respectable name as that of DIR. Small:
Whereas an article appeared in the Portland
Sunday Times OF Feb'y 1st calling the new
History of Cumberland County "a swindle,"
and citing the case Of q lady who signed what
she supposed subscription list IN Justice to
the publishers desire to place before the
readers Of Portland newspapers, and those
who have become interested by subscription
Tor said history or otherwise, what know of
the supposed case in question. Mr.. Peck act
ing as agent for the firm of Everts & Peck
called on me and said that he had made ar
rangements for portrait and biography of the
late Or. Robinson to appear in the medical
history of said history, then in preparation,
SAID portrait to cost seventy-fve dollars ($75),
and that Mrs. Robinson desired that L should
assist in preparing the sketch to be inserted.
MIR. Peck showed me her contract for the
same, and In accordance with her request by
him and also by her personally, took part in
the preparation of said sketch, knew what the
cost to Mrs. Robinson was to be and advised
him to go forward and engrave the portrait and
publish tho matter in said history Mrs Rob-
inson sent her daughter to see me the same
day the contract was given, it also being
the same day the agent called to consult me
upon the subject, and from conversations with
SAID ddan ter and and the agent as ami
am still impressed that Mrs. Robinson signed
said contract knowing what it was for and
what was to be paid. was also told by the
agent that Mrs, Robinson, not being a sub
scriber for the book itself, that in consider a.
ton OF her taking said representation of cab
met size and at the time not feeling able
to pay SO much, said agent told her he would
make her present OF book. L am also in
formed that Mrs. Robinson's eldest son, Fred,
was subsequently invited to call at the agents
rooms and examine the whole matter, which
he did; was then and there shown the con-
tract which his mother had signed, and al
lowed by said agent to make any changes in it
desired by the family, which was not deemed
desirable and was not done. My opinion of the
whole matter is that the agent acted with all
integrity in arranging for the portrait of the
late pr; Robinson, and that the whole subject
was fully understood by the family. ]
er than that so prominent member Of the
medical profession be left out of the work he
should make liberal contribution on the en-
craving if found necessary.
II. N. SMALL.
hereby certify that have never seen Mrs.
hoDlnSOn or transacted any business with her.
called at two different times and at each call
was notified that Mrs. Robinson was too ill to
see me, but that her son Fred would be at home
at hal1-past one p. M, and would transact
whatever business was necessary. 1 called at
the appointed time and Mr.. Fred Robinson
treated me very gentlemanly, stated he knew
the amount of the contract; also that Mr.. Peck
had shown the same to him before any ex-
pense was incurred and doubtless could have
countermanded the order if he (Fred) had
been SO disposed He thereupon stated that he
would deposit the amount of the contract with
Loring, Short q Harmon, which 1 could OBJ
tain by. calling upon them the next morning.
called the next morning and received the
money; hence the public accusation that suit
was threatened Mrs Robinson is entirely I'M
true. j. S. EvERTs,
Agent for Everts & Peck.