RK-631

Home. Friday. Dec. 3d

Dear Bob.

Your long letter of 25 Nov. came yesterday. I had already sent off my "Introductory Critique', on Patent office volume – written in pretty much the sorry spirit you advise, in this letter – Praising Browne, incidentally, and touching very lightly on his penchant for “compilation”. But, you see, I could not avoid that, and upon the whole, I think he will like the “Critique” –

I gave the Congressional Committee as hard a slap as I dared, or could afford – and said not a word about “Son Bob” – though I mentioned the “Quadrupeds,” with the other grand Scientific articles – letting out a little truthful emphasis on Profr Henry’s – the best of the book – Sorry I forgot to name Dr Cooper – but I will get that in. “Special” - for I have not done yet –

I wrote a short note to Browne – thanking him for his courtesy, and enclosing a corrected copy of my notice of the Arboretum – in which Bragdon has contrived to get half a dozen bad “errors of the types” – For example – “Gnat =fied” for Greatified – “his” for 'of the’ – “Monument” instead of movement, - tract instead of track &c &c –

About that Agricultural meeting, at Washington, I don’t know what to do. I have no doubt that I could go, if I tried hard – and it is a capital opening any way. “Mc Cormick” – bah! Dont Browne know that he could not appoint a more unpop=ular man, from Illinois – were he to search the whole state! A compiler of machines, at the best! If he appoints him, he (Browne) will catch it –

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Professor J. B. Turner, of Jacksonville, is the man – and if not him then “Dr Kennicott.” Bronson Murray is about leaving the State – has, probably, left already – Still he is worth fifty of Mc Cormick. – I think, upon the whole, that I will write to Trumbull, & perhaps Douglas and Farnsworth – and if you think best, you may ask Profr Baird to name me. But I dont wish to press my claims, unless the thing is to be some=thing real. So act as you judge best, my Son. I should like to visit Washington, and see you there – and I don’t know of any reason why I should not go. I am well enough, if I get my courage screwed to the sticking place.

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I am glad you have got your money from Browne – and I advise you to court him, if there is any money in question. You cant get on out without “material aid”; and you know that you will earn all you get – and are worthy of all – why then hesitate to flatter a fool in office if by so doing you make him act more wisely than he would. If I had flattered more, I should not be “out of office" now.

I will get your accounts from Chicago soon. But don’t let off either of the “Universities”, because you have money in your purse – I should be glad to pay you 10/100 per cent for the use of it – and you had better make them [letter crossed out] pay up. – I got $5. of Harrows and sent Charlie – and should you get more, best send him an X, to keep his courage up –

I expected, for certain, near $100. from “Rev. Dr Rice” – (McCormick’s priest) but he sends me only an excuse, for the present, and a con=ditional promise, for next year.

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The Major is not very well; but by & by I will try & send you the catalogue of trees &c. you want – Flatter, Browne, I say, and get an appointment out of him. – Snow last night, and rather dreary out doors – I sent you somebody’s letter, last week mail – the girls are writing

Old Father

So Browne wants “a large wheat & corn grower” does he? and he takes Mc Cormick for one – Just tell him I know more about Illinois crops than a thousand Mc Cormicks