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[[2 circular blue ink stamps]]
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. JUN 25 1865
[[/2 circular blue ink stamps]]

Prof. Baird. 1.

San Francisco
June 2nd 1865.

Dear Prof. Baird.

This will be the first letter, I shall have written, since my arrival here.  It was useless for me, to have written you sooner, when Col. Bulkley's plans were not formed. Even as it is now, the situation is somewhat mixed.

We arrived here safe & well the last week in April.  I at that time supposed we would remain here less than a week.  The first plan talked of was for me to strike for the Youkon immediately via Frazer-river with 50 men.

I nearly completed my organization and had chosen most of my men (fortunately without formerly engaging them however) when this plan was given up.  Subsequently Col. Bulkley decided on sending a small party of twelve on this route - nominally in Pope's charge actually in Rothrock's - while I was to prepare to ascend the Youkon, ^[[insertion]] from Norton Sound ^[[/insertion]] with another small party. -

Pope's party sailed some two weeks since and passed New Westminster some days ago. Bannister, Maynard & Elliot went with this party.  It was the right thing for Bannister & Rothrock but Elliot should have gone with me as I had a good thing for
him in Natural - History, but he was as irrepressable as ever, and would not be influenced by me.  Bannister also strange to say backed out of his allegience to me.

Transcription Notes:
Do we know (such as from a later page) that this surname is Bannister? Looks like it could be Bannisher or Bannishev