RK-608

[printed letterhead] No. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C. [written] Nov 10 [printed] 18 [written] 58

Dear Father

Yours of Nov 6th was recd this morning - I will get up the draft of Bill to be presented to Ill State legislature providing for Zoological survey but cant do it just now as Im pushed pretty hard by Smithsonian work - Time enough as the Legislature do'nt meet till January I believe - This will have to be a sort of addition to the Geological survey and not a seperate thing - If any oppertunity occurs please get addresses of as many of the members as possible and we'll make a list of these and of such men as either of us can get to write successfully to them in favor of the bill.

I shall try for about 2000. H per annum appropri ation.

Funny the fox must be dosed with strychnine if he plays such tricks - Dont try to keep him on my account if he is so troublesome - If his execution becomes advisable better send his corpse to Dr Andrews for the museum He could be skinned even a day or two after death But the better plan would be perhaps to buy a stronger chain and have a suitable swivel made - Ill subscribe $1. if the children wish to keep him. But as I before said I dont care if for him and if that is

[page turned upside down, stamped] J. Kennicott Brenton Collections

2

[printed letterhead] No. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C. 18

[written] is thought advisable let him die the death - Or whats better give him to Ned & Cy Clarke. You can have a jolly fox hunt if not caught before the first snowfall.

Love to all Bob

Tell major I am going to a washington Gymnasium expect to beat him holler in the spring

I had to close up in a hurry last night - My chances for going south are very good Lieut Trowbridge told me last

night that he tho't it would do to leave here in Feb. and not do the work at ann arbor till June & may after I get back -

Tell mother I wish she would please tell me how many "sarks" I had as Ive forgotten

[stamped] J. Kennicott Brenton Collections