[Letter] January 28,[1895] [to F.H. Giddings]

January 28, [1895], n. p.

Dear Friend:
          Dr. Seligman
tells me that President
Low will write to
President Gilman asking
whether he (Pres. G.) is
negotiating with me,
and that, on grounds of
comity, he may hold
aloof in case such
negotiations are pending.
I have replied to Dr.
Seligman, and wish
also that you should
know how certain
things look to me. I
like President Low's
frank way, and can see
a possibility that it
may lead to the best
result while preserving
on all sides cordial
relations. Still -
 (1) I think President
Gilman is sensitive to
the competition of
Columbia. If I were
conceited enough to think
that my going to Columbia
would, in his view,
mean one point in favor
of that university, I should
think he would be
unwilling to have that
happen. He may not care
very much however.
 (2) I do not think he is
in a condition to make
a final and really
desirable offer immediately.
He depends on funds that
do not come with
promptness.
 (3) If he takes advantage
of President Low's
courtesy he may still
protract the negotiations.
 Frankly, and to you
as my friend, I may say
that I would much
rather be with you at
Columbia than be at the
Johns Hopkins. Moreover,
I think I can do the
work suggested by Professor
Mayo-Smith better than
I can do what would be
expected at Baltimore.
The Columbia connection
seems to me to be a better
fit than the other. If the
choice rests with me I
shall follow my inclination
and my judgment.

        Yours Very Truly,
           John B. Clark