RK-645

[printed letterhead] No. Smithsonian Institution, [written, circled] 73 [printed] Washington, D. C. [written] Dec 11th [printed] 18 [written 58

Dear Father

Had an interview with D. J. Browne just now. He evidently was settled by your letter to him. The invitation to you will be sent to day I suppose – The meeting is to begin monday Jan 3rd and last a week.

You had best come if your other affairs will permit – As regards to health and weather you must remember that it is very much warmer here than in Lat 42⁰. If you find it comfortable at our house your expenses will be but little. And pretty fully covered by the $25. allowed.

Pray write at once your decision that another man my be sent in your place if you cant come I.

am afraid you are too “scarey” about your getting sick How much do you suppose the will has to do with it – Dont you let yourself feel used up sometimes when a strong incentive would keep you going? But you know best. only you must recollect that youll get little allowance from the chaps who will meet you here, on account of ill health and if you want to take the lead you must depend on your movements here a good deal; as anticedents will not be so much valued among these politicians – But then too I fancy there will not be a great many prominant agriculturists in the crowd, and if you can feel well enough to watch and make a few good hits to support your known reputation you may carry no little influence – one thing for discussion is the bill for appropriating several million acres of land for agricultural colleges – In this you ought to have a finger –

I cannot get you a list of the me[n?] (inside)

invited because it is not allowed to give more information than is contained in the letter of invitation it being desirable to let nothing of the details of the plan get into the papers – So dont publish any thing about this. more than just barely the fact that such a congress of farmers has been invited by the commissioner and its general objects – But dont mention the matter at all unless you have special occasion

Browne desired me to thank you for your “kind note and interest in the office etc” and wishes me to answer for him – He is as “good as pie” to me now.

I sent Charle $10. yesterday at Odin, and enclosed $5. to you a day or two since to Pay Downs & Van Wyck

[circled] 74 Love to all Bob

How long is Illinois Legislature in session? I am getting up a circular to folk in Illinois about Zoölogical survey