The second overture she accepted, and the following agreement was drawn
up.
(COPY.)
This agreement made the sixteenth day of Feb. 1853, between ----,
of the city of New York, of the first part, and Miss Elizabeth T.
Greenfield, now of the city of Buffalo, of the second part,
Witnesseth;
That the said parties of the first and second parts, do hereby
agree, each with the other, as follows.
The party of the second part hereby agrees to perform a musical
tour throughout England, Scotland, and Ireland, and upon the
continent of Europe, and the free States of the United States, and
deliver concerts, public and private, at such times and
places--when her health will permit--as shall be directed by the
party of the first part, not exceeding three times in any one week;
and she agrees that she will, as far as possible, strive to give
satisfaction in her concerts.
The party of the first part is to have the management and direction
of the business, and every thing relating thereto. He is to advance
all the money which may be required in carrying on the enterprise.
He is also to advance to the party of the second part such money as
she may require for her own individual expenses. He is also to have
the direction of the musical instruction of the party of the second
part, and at all times to treat her respectfully, and provide
suitable board, lodging, and travelling accommodations for herself
and attendant.
A competent secretary shall be employed by the party of the first
part, whose business it shall be to keep true accounts of the
receipts of money at such concerts, and of all the expenditures
made on account of the enterprise, which accounts shall at all
times be open to the inspection of both parties.
No agents are to be employed in the said business except such as
shall be specially attached to the troupe, and such as shall be
necessary to promote the objects of the enterprise, unless it shall
be considered for the interest of both parties to employ additional
assistance, in which event the compensation of such additional
assistance shall be paid as a general charge.
The party of the second part is to have the privilege of selecting
her own maid, whose services and expenses are to be paid out of the
moneys received from such concerts, such wages not exceeding six
dollars a month, in case she shall select her own maid.
All the expenses incurred in the said business, including the
furnishing of such wardrobes as shall be mutually agreed upon--the
individual expenses of both the parties--the musical instruction of
the party of the second part, and the expenses of the party of the
second part back to New York, are to be paid out of the receipts of
such concerts, and the overplus is to be divided between the
parties as follows: to the party of the first part four fifths: to
the party of the second part one fifth. The amount which shall at
any time be due to the party of the second part for her share in
the profits shall be paid to her on demand.
In case of the death of the party of the first part before the
expiration of the time herein limited, the party of the second part
is to go on in the same manner under the direction and management
of his legal representatives, but in all respects under the
conditions of this agreement, and such legal representative is to
perform all the acts and things which the party of the first part
is to perform under the conditions of the agreement.
In case of the death of the party of the second part, this
agreement is then to terminate, and the party of the first part
shall render a true and correct account of the receipts and
expenditures relating to the said business, and pay over whatever
money shall remain in his hands belonging to the party of the
second part, to Hiram E. Howard, now of the city of Buffalo, whose
receipt therefor shall be binding upon her heirs and personal
representatives.
And it is mutually agreed by and between the said parties that they
will, during the time herein limited, unless prevented by illness,
or other inevitable accident, diligently and faithfully devote
himself and herself in and about the said business, and the
management thereof, and the carrying on the same, and the affairs
and business thereof, for the promoting the same for the best
advantage and benefit of both the said parties.
This agreement is to commence on the tenth day of March next, and
terminate on the first of May one thousand eight hundred and
fifty-five; and the said party of the second part agrees to be in
the city of New York on the said tenth day of March next--health
permitting--and subject to the direction of the said party of the
first part, as before mentioned.
In case the party of the first part shall for any reason wish at
any time, after they shall arrive in Europe, to dissolve this
agreement, he is at liberty to do so upon conditions that he shall
pay her the balance that may then be due to her, and shall in
addition thereto, pay her a sum of money sufficient to pay the
expenses of herself and servant back to the city of New York in a
respectable manner.
Witness the hands and seals of the parties the day and year first
above written.
(Signed) and executed by
GEO. DAVIS, } witness, ------ ------ (L. S.)
Buffalo. } ELIZABETH T. GREENFIELD (L. S.)
State of New York, Buffalo, Mayor's Office, April 1, 1853.
I do hereby certify that a contract, of which the foregoing is a
copy, is deposited for safe keeping with Hiram E. Howard, Esq., of
this city, by Miss Greenfield.
In witness thereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the
seal of the city of Buffalo the day and the year last above
written.
ELI COOK,
_Mayor of the city of Buffalo_.
At this period she received the following communication:
Buffalo, February 23, 1853.
Having learned that Miss Greenfield is about to visit Europe on a
musical tour, as well as with a view to the artistic improvement of
her vocal powers, the undersigned take this opportunity of
tendering to her a complimentary benefit prior to her departure, as
a testimonial in favour of her unprecedented natural powers of
voice, and also as an earnest of the due appreciation by our fellow
citizens, generally, of the liberal aid rendered by her on a former
occasion, to one of the most worthy objects of charity in our city;
and we trust that the announcement of a concert by Miss Greenfield,
will be responded to by a full house on the occasion.
H. E. Howard, James Hollister, Geo. Coit, M. J. Cadwallader, Henry
W. Rogers, G. B. Rich, A. J. Rich, E. S. Skudding, E. P. Beals, Ira
Osburi, Matthew Wilson, Nelson Randall, G. S. Hazard, H. B. Potter,
A. Ramsey, S. S. Gawson, Jos. G. Mastra, Samuel F. Pratt, C. F. S.
Thomas, Hiram Barton, H. J. Impsay, Geo. W. Houghton, James
Wadsworth, William Webster, Geo. C. White, Wm. Fisk, Edwin Thomas,
Wm. Carland, Geo. Davis, Cyrus P. Lee, G. W. Rounds, T. M.
Parmalee, Lewis C. Hodges, H. N. Loomis, H. C. Walker, C. E. Young,
L. R. Plimpton, Jas. L. Reynolds, Wm. A. Seaver.
The concert took place the 7th of March, 1853. The success of this
concert may be inferred from the following note:
Buffalo, March 8, 1853.