RK-438

Chicago Jary 21st 1858

Robert Kennicot Esqr Curator &c.

Dear Sir

Your favor of the 6th inst has been on hand for some time and deserves Earlier attention - I am greatly pleased with the prospects of a large museum which you are encouraged to expect to form for the N. W. University. The sug= gestion made by Prof. Baird is in complete harmony with my original idea of a museum i.e. That it should be such a one as to take the very first position in the region of Coun= try indicated by the letter of the Institution - All of the con= ditions spoken of in con= nection with Prof. Bairds liber= ral proposition, I have no doubt can be complied with.

The permanency of our Edu= cational Enterprise need not be doubted for a moment: In fact

[page turned] I have been sick since I wrote this - Have got your second - will try to attend to you yet this week but it is very difficult -

it is certain beyond any ordinary contingency - though temporarily embarassed on account of the dif= ficulty of collecting debts it has only about $2000, dollars of in debt edness excepting a funded debt of $24,00000 for which ample means are already set apart or a sink ing fund - Over and above all liabilities the Institution has an Endowment of over $300,000.00 with a good prospect of a larger increase - In a short time, Mr. Judson Agent Says, we shall be free from debt -

The relation of the University to the whole North West is direct and of the most important Char acter the trusties being appoin ted by the Methodist Conferences of Michigan, Indiana, Illinois Iowa and Wisconsin - It was prospectid for a superior position

[page turned] You may put envelops upon such of the letters as you like & present them - Dr. Fitch & Mr. Harlan are special friends

not only in Natural Science but also in all of the depart ments of Literature Science and Arts - That it will abun dantly succeed I have not the last doubt as its progress during the short period of its existence (only 5 years in fact) would abundantly indicate

The college has opened its second session with an increase of stu dents quite encouraging to Dr. Foster and the other members of the faculty - If I had a plan of the cases you wish made I might get them made very Cheap -ly now as there is but little work of any Kind for car= penters - But perhaps it would be best to wait until you arrive at home to superintend the work -

Dr Blaney talks of resigning in the Midical College and divoting his entire attention to the N W University =

As to my visit to Washington

[page turned] Dr Foster is much pleased - Get Mrs. F. to look after the American State papers - Ill write to Mr. Douglass - Specially if you dont get them started - J. E.

this winter I find so many obstacles in the way of having my business that I fear I cannot.

I enclose letters to Messrs Farnsworth, Fitch, Douglass and Harlan & Trumbull

Hoping to hear of your great success I close with the single suggestion that by personal application to our Senators and represen= tative you may be more successfull in obtaining the documents you wish for our library than by any other mode of application -

We have been try ing to obtain "the American State papers" -

Very respectfully Your friend Jno. Evans -

[page turned] Jany 26th/58