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letter to Mr N.B. Judd, Mr John H Bryant or any other gentlemen like to interest himself in the matter. But if my father should still be in Springfield please hand it to him.

I do not hesitate to protest against any such action on the part of the State Nat Hist Society, for many good reasons most of which will at once suggest themselves to you –

It would certainly injure the society in the scientific world to do a thing in such bad taste, while if they succeeded without killing the measure there would be no great gain. – If it is desired that Mr Wilbur the agent of the society or any other of the officers should have charge of the survey it would be in much better taste for them to let it be organized in the usual and proper manner and then present their claims for the appointment as naturalist by the Governor. Then if they can show that they are more competent

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

[written] to do the work than I am I will see nothing wrong in the appointment of any better naturalist than myself; but I must think that to place the survey in the hands of a new and irresons able society would be a most unhappy measure.

In case you do not know whether such a movement has been made by Mr C.D. Wilbur or any other of the officers of the Natural History Society please do not let any of them know I have entertained these suspicions unless you find such is the truth, for if it is not I shall feel that I am doing them great wrong in thinking thus of them.

I am making you a deal of trouble but I ask it in the name of Science[underlined]! And I know that will make you forgive me

With Respect

Yours truly R. Kennicott.