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enter upon your duties Sept. 1886,
or before then if you should desire
[to?] have now 2 terms in botany
in the Scientific Course & 1 term
in the other courses: as soon
as a botanist comes elective
courses will be provided according
to [their?] demands. The botanical survey
of the state will take years for
its completion (the Geol Survey is now
on its 13th year) and every provision
for appratus aid & books will be
furnished as asked for & a salary of
$2500 with all field expenses &c is
now paid the State Geologist & you may
have no reason to expect less.

Now my dear Professor I have, so
far as I can, answered your fist
[7?] questions.

To be sure (for I anticipate your
query) I have no authority to make
a proposition: but I have such an
understanding of the situtation & the
feelings of those in authority that
I have written with great assurance.

I remarked to Prest Northrop a day
or two ago that I could assure you
of nothing: said he "Tell him to
send on the plans for a botanical
laboratory and wait & see what we
will do when the time comes to act;
you can do no more just now."