Mead to Boas - Nov. 15, 1925: (handwritten; from Ta’u, in the Manu’a group of American Samoa, where she investigated her research problem)

Dear Dr. Boas,

I have gotten settled in Manu’a and find it admirably suited to hold my purposes. I have just completed a survey of the smallest of the three villages and it gives me about 20 girls who fall within the range of 9-17 years of age. As ages here are only accurate within about two years I thought it best to take a wide range. I have now sufficient command of the language so that I can work with informants who speak no English and when necessary make speeches in Samoan. I have no trouble in gathering the girls about me: in fact I'm hiding in the Dispensary in order to write this letter in peace. My porch room is crowded from dawn to midnight with all and sundry maidens. By the next mailing - which may possibly be six weeks instead of three owing to poor inter-island communications - I will try to write you a definite account of my progress in the actual problem, but at present it is too embryonic for report.

I am keeping well and attending meticulously to preserving my strength.

With very best wishes,

Sincerely,

Margaret Mead