364

Confidential

[The University of M]innesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota

March 2d 1886.

My dear Professor

President Northrop [sic.] in
a short conversation this afternoon desired me
to ask you this question:

Would you accept the professorship of
Botany in this institution and the charge of
the botanical survey of the State at a salary
of $2500 per year?

The President stated that he had quite recently
received strong encouragement that the regents
would create and fill such a professorship
in the near future. Before, however, the
chair is t[?]d to anyone in a formal way the board desires
to know if there be at least a probability that
it will be accepted. I recall very well your
assurances of a year or so ago & this question
is to learn whether you are still favorably disposed
towards the change you this summer inclined to
make.

Sincerely yours
C. W. Hall

Professor Charles E. Bessey
Lincoln Neb.