RK-601

Battle Creek. Mich. Oct 30.

Robert Kennicott.

Dr. Sir.

A few days ago, my Father was at the house of your Father in Illinois; and held some conversation with him: in regard to your being at Ann Arbor in the Spring. to arrange a cabinet for the university? Your Father advised. that I should write to you & find out more about it; and having in view this object. I now take pen in hand to drop you a few lines; For the past three years I have been studying various branches of the Natural Sciences applying my time principaly to the subject of Chemistry & I would like to go somewhere where I could see a cabinet arranged. both Geological & Zoological; If you would like to have me. I should be happy to come to Ann Arbor and be with you, when you are there. I have attended one course of Medical lectures there at the Institution & am acquainted with some of the Professors. I would be willing to give my time: & services for the privilege of being there & see you arrange the different specimens.

I have also heard that the Smithsonian Institute furnish instruments for taking meteorological observations; to those who will send reports to the institution of the observations I saw you at the Fruit & Flower fair in Chicago in June: but I suppose you will not remember me: as I then did not have an opportunity to speak with you long: If it will not be to great a favor: I should be happy to have you answer this & let me know when you will be at Ann Arbor & wether there would be any chance for me:

If you think it would be of advantage for me to be there in the Spring: you could tell me what books it would be best to read: in order that I might gain some idea of these subjects before coming on to [illegible] place. My Dr. Gov. Haskell: of Rockford. Ill. is acquainted with you & you will probably rember him. I should be happy to here from you in regard to these things:

I remain yours truly.

W Robert. Kennicott. Esq. Washington D. C.

Gov. S. Haskell. Battle Creek Mich