21 Joyner St.

ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA

February 1, 1941

Dear People Benetst:-

Your report of the fascination St. Augustine exerted on you sounds very welcome to the Lawsons. We hoped you would find the place companionable - of course warmer weather might have been even more effective, but discriminating people aren't too subject to such things - it is very hard however when a resident knows how really gracious the weather can be not to regret it doesn't behave when most desired. It is very junior in that respect, never shows off when most beseeched.

I should have written several days ago but have had one man in the library researching extensively and I have simply danced on him to his great amazement that the Library had so much he had never contacted - and when he left he planned to return to work more and I can keep him busy. With others I have been kept late and long in the library and small chance for letters even to thank you for the lovely flowers. The last tulip dropped its last petal last night and I rather like dropped petals of tulips, they are suggestive.

But the yellow jessamine I found was blooming in the woods on the St. Johns Banks and if I had known that you would most certainly been taken to see and smell it-- It gives one a curious longing - no wonder an old Spanish governor wanted the king to order coins made in Mexico for St. Augustine with the flower of Florida, jessamine, on one side and of course "Your Majesty" was to occupy the reverse. But you would revel in the wild yellow jessamine. Wish it would last to send you some.

As for the family, I hope they will keep right on wanting until the spell of the sand in their shoes works its way with them. That is how we came to Florida to live. I was in Tampa 32 years ago and wanted to return to live. I sent Mr. Lawson two small pkgs of sand asking him to put them in his shoes (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) He did as a joke and in less than two years we landed in Florida for keeps.

If only S.V.B. could accomplish his work in St. A. I'd talk pressingly of advantages of life here - but I realize well that all the spot work he is doing can't be handled or instructed here. N.Y. is the really hot center. Only I do hope whenever you can make St. A. wings or rails or anything will bring you to know it better.

We are nervous as two cats waiting to hear from the agent in N.Y. who has Lawson's fictionalized biograph Ponce de Leon Partner of the King - I never knew we could get so scratchy--

I haven't told you yet how the aura of success lingers around the Benet episode here - Not a criticism of the entire affair and visit. The lecture struck many notes of value beside being praised by everyone. You almost wonder at it. Seems if somebody would say something the other way - but the lecture and the lecturer keep on getting praised in such a genuine fashion I am delighted and only wish you both could hear people - I am feeling many paragraphs have sunk in deeply. I rather worried lest things might be fatiguing for S.V.B. but he kept looking better all the time - except for brief moments.

We are going on the river tomorrow with a party in the afternoon - wish you were here to be with us and get the water stories and pictures. Too bad the river isn't used more in these years. Formerly much life of visitors centered on the river. Mon., Sat., Trip up the San Sebastian was a picture opine often as anyone will listen - but ---

Let us hear from you sometimes if you can find time for even a p.c.

The Lawsons unite in best wishes for all the S.V. Benson's especially the famille -

21 Joyner St.
February 4 1941

ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA

Dear Mr. Benet:--

As this is hardly official business plain paper must do. I know you will want to hear how things march since the Day of Days. You certainly did a Big Thing and no mistake so far as I can dream when you sponsored the voyage of Estevan Benet, the Third to San Agustin --Praise from all directions of most enthusiastic varieties and from so many sources regret that they did not hear S.V.B. lecture. If everyone. who regrets now had tried to get cards the Ponce wouldn't provide space for them Programs have been asked for from out of town, as far as Tennessee I hope some of this admiration for S.V.B's work will convert itss into cash for him- and numerous requests for program to be mailed away by townspeople. One group of club women from Jacksonville did crash the door at the evening but when Lawson heard their tale he hadn't the nerve to refuse admission.

Of course I am pleased in many ways and especially that Mr. Pellicer and I were able to pull it through so smoothly for the Historical Society. I was told repeatedly that no one but two women could make a success of it at the Ponce- one a very weak member of the Society, the other not even that-The Hist. Soc. couldn't do it they flung at me--- So--- we did all right you may have noticed and gave it a different air moreover. I haven't heard one kick about anything whatever except Mr. Howe the Ponce manager was mad because his own people printing in the menu on the Programs we provided had "left off the soup" from the place for it -----

I was very happy that Mrs. Benet was satisfied I wanted you both to feel what you were doing was backed up in every suitable fashion.

The lecture itself seems to have given immense pleasure- S.V. B. was so distinguished in his pleasant simplicity and so direct in his views and expression of them. Many said they had never so thoroughly enjoyed a lecture and they all sound as if they really meant it and were not just being polite.

But oh have I been tired --Have had no let up in work so many persons craving information and one man from Atlanta staid a week to work in the library after he found what we could hand out to him and I sure did hand it out. His wife said it was the first time he'd been sleeping good for a long time. I kept him working all right - but that meant me too -- Seems if I never will get caught up.

I wanted to come down and see that you got away at half past eight on your next lap but Mr. Lawson thought we had said plenty good byes and another would only be a nuisance to you trying to marshall your troop at 8.30- But did you really get going at that hour?

I understood you planned to be in Washington on the First but I haven't chance to write before.

Mr. L. and I both enjoyed the time with Mr. and Mrs. S.V.B. and Mr. L. sent promptly a box of Fla. sand to put in the family shoes hoping it will work its spell and bring them back to us. We both send our regards to Mrs. Benet and yourself and look forward to your next visit - Only think of all may happen before next January - I shiver and shudder sometimes when I stop to think too long.

We should know by March 1st I think whether the physical