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State House, Sunday morning [circled] 81 Jan. 30th '59

Dear Bob - Here I am - what there is of me - and here I shall stay, while there is hope - though evry day lessens that hope. I stay, however, because a few friends advise it - and because the committees have not yet reported. I have been before two of them - the Senate Com. (on Geology) yes=terday - but they gave [illegible] but me only ten or fifteen minutes, to explain the meas=ure - and there was only a base majority there present - Ryan would not come, and two of our friends had gone home, to stay over Sunday - both men that I had talked with, and found favor=able - The House Committe to which the matter was refered agreed to wait till the Senate committee had met - and so I know not what either will do - though one of them told me they thought favorably of it, but deemed it almost impossible to [illegible] it this session - It is thought there must be a called session - and that the Governor might make that one of the special subjects of the call. I think the govrnor is favorable but there is an adverse influence, I fear operating

operating to prevent any action on his part. I may be wrong in this notion - but it looks like it - else why not perform his promises? - Peck (of Chicago) has just told me to hang on a little longer - that it is not yet too late - Judd takes no interest in it - Bryant of Bureau does - and I have not yet heard an objection from a single me- =mer member - except waket of time - tho' some have talked about about Wilbur's plan, of the "state Nat. His. Society" - which I know will never do for you, - and so discourage it - I have worked hard, and [illegible] con=stant in my endeavors, though all the time ill - a terrible cough, and no appetite of late - though by keep=ing a fire in my room, I sleep better than I did. I have been unable to write any thing for the press - and it is doubtful whether any thing in the papers now would influence the legislature - unless very strong. and from some other pen than mine. There are so many interests here, and the members are so hard pressed by the lobby, that they are far from good natured - and then there are two or three political fights brewing, that will use up the rest of the session

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One of the great fights is set for Wednesday - and when that begins, there will be an end to all useful legislation; and unless the com=mittees report before Wednesday, your Survey will be lost, sure, I think - or rather left out, instead of lost, - so Wednesday is my limit - after that it would be a waste of money, and strength, for me to remain here. For I am [illegible] nearly sick, - and have had to to to bed in the day time - and I cant take stimulants (except ale) for they increase my cough - The Geological quarrel is yet unsettled, and has a malign influance on your project - as members "take sides", and all who know it are disagusted with it - and the Committee witholds action - and may refuse to recommend the printing of the Reports - as well as the increases of appropriation - But the next two days will show, tis thought - Both Northern & McChesney feel that [illegible] is [illegible] but neither will yield a step - & both are wrong

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I will, perhaps, enclose an article which appeared in the Register, the day aftermine, in answers to Wilbur's - By the way, Wilbur appears to have left the field - not here now -

The policy of leaving your matter in the hands of the Committees, instead of bringing in a Bill, at once, I am now inclined to believe was wrong - tho' Judd, Peck, Jakes Bryant, and Davis of Willsboro advised it - tho Judd now says it was wrong - or rather so intimates, - but Peck and others still adhere to the first opinion - and it is now too late to take the other way - as several hun=dred bills have precedence - and now, my son, I fear you must make up your mind to be disappointed, this time - tho' all say the thing will be sure to carry at an extra session - if included by the Govrnor, in the call - and I find, since com=mencing this letter, that there is an intention to ask the Govrnor to call an extra session - But I have written enough - will try & write again Tuesday or Wednesday -

Old Father

[page turned] Nothing from [illegible], is the expected now, yesterday. at latest