RKBP-592

DesMoins Iowa April 16. 59 J. A. Kennicott Your kind letter is at hand. I regret to say that at the present, I would not be justifiable in purchasing of you, and agreeing to pay at any definite time, for really there is very little money here for [strikethrough: illegible] the merchant, and none for the nurseryman. When I promise to pay I will pay if possible, [strikethrough: but] I am not in the habit of making promises [strikethrough: whe] with out knowing how they are to be filled. I will not sell enough trees this spring to pay for the hired help. I will be [illegible] to have the present season, but times must change I shall want to lay us a supply the coming fall and will then be able to say when I can pay. I intend to have one of the best gardens in the state but at present I have absolutely nothing in the shape of a garden. I send to day the "pioneers" with my report but not much more correct than that of the citizen - a few omissions I supplied with pen sil. I regret now that the last part of

my report was not got up with more care but for the matter as set forth I am accounable. I sent the whole to Sml Forster one of the com mittee who wrote me it was very correct in manuscript but I knew it was not, and the secretary had the perusal of it and expressed himself well [strikethrough: plea] pleased with it - made a half dozen unimportant corrections and a few alterations that I had to alter The truth is Dr he is not fit for the station he occupies, and I shall do all I can [strikethrough: illegible] next winter to have his place supplied with with a better man The secretary of our Agl College too is a man [strikethrough: Dr.] Cypher but he is in for a long term There is one thing about General Wilson that I admire, he does his work with a view of benefitting the state - all I complain of his want of judgem ent which is notoriously conceded P.S. We are in the midst of winter and have been for several days J Smith

J.A. Kennicott WestNorthfield Cook County Ills [written up left margin of envelope: Jas Smith Iowa] [postmark illegible with stamps removed]