Tuesday, March 25, 52

Dear Mrs. Benet:

Not having heard from Brandt and Brandt
about my last letter, I wondered if a word from you
might get them to write me?

I got Mr. Carmichael to read the book, and
while I don't think anybody likes it as much as I, he
showed almost the proper reverence. Anyway he has great
tunes for it already. (A few). There are two or three
others who might be able to do it if you decide a gainst
him.

This is one project where time is not of
the essence, as I'm sure of the lasting quality of the
verse, but a good show should eventually be made of it.
As for my job, it will be principally a labor of love,
not having much to do but edit and preserve.

Don't want to bother you but I am also
writing Brandt a nd Brandt: No reply necessary. Thanks
and kind regards.

Mrs. Stephen Vincent Benet
1186 Lexington Avenue
New York 28
N.Y.

Dear Mrs. Benet;

I see in the papers that Tyrone Power and Raymond Massey
are touring "John Brown's Body" and I thought this might be the reason
perhaps, why I had received no answer from either you or your lawyers.

I think it's an excellent idea and certainly needn't inter-
fere with the ultimate production of a musical, but I am surprised at not
getting an answer to either of my recent letters.

You were gracious enough to answer me once and might well
be annoyed at further correspondence, but I think no reply from a law
firm is both bad business and poor taste.

Good luck on the tour, and if you would jog up Brandt and
Brandt about answering me, I would certainly appreciate it.

Kind regards

Yours sincerely,

John H. Mercer