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The American-Russian Overland Telegraph Company.
^[[4061]]

We are permitted by Mr. Scammon, President of the Board of Trustees of the Chicago Academy of Sciences, to publish the following letters, received by him to-day:

OFF FORT ST. MICHAEL.
RUSSIAN AMERICA September 27, 1866.
DEAR SIR:  It is with a very heavy heart I write to you, for the sad news, which you have heard ere this, of Robert Kennicott's death.  It has been a heavy blow to me.
Charles Pease, who stood by him living and dead like a hero, attends the remains to their final resting place.  He will give all particulars, which, as the vessel is to leave to-night, I have not time to write.  I have sent a circular letter, however, to all American scientific societies.
You must be kind enough to make apologies to Messrs Thompson and Blatchford for not writing to them individually, but it is impossible, from want of time.
I have pledged myself to continue the work on the old basis to Professor Baird, on conditions that the collections be kept intact till the work be finished.  I can only [[italic]]promise[[/italic]] to do my best, and I am nearly alone, none of the original party being within 2,000 miles, but I hope to have Bischoff next spring, and I believe the work may still be made a success, although not so quickly or completely as he would have made it.
I do not know whether I made this clear in my letter to Mr. Walker, written just after the news arrived in great agitation.  If not, please communicate this to him and the trustees.
The prospect looks as if it was going to be a very hard one for me, and I frankly confess I would not choose to stay in this dreary country, already white with snow, but I believe it to be my duty, and for the best interests of the Academy and the purposes of science.
I remain, respectfully yours,
Wm. H. DALL,
Chief of Scientific Corps W.U.T. Expedition.
J.Y. Scammon, Esq., Chicago.
P. S.--Captain Scammon has stood by us nobly.
[[line]]

WESTERN UNION TELEGRAPH COMPANY,
MARINE SERVICE FLAG SHIP NIGHTINGALE,
HARBOR OF SAN FRANCISCO, Cal.,
December 11.
SIR:  Your brother, Captain C. M. Scammon, Chief of Marine, W. U. Telegraph expedition, arrived here in command of the flag-ship, on the 8th instant, from Petroporlovski, Kamschatka.  He had been very ill on board ship for the last three months, and being much reduced is unable, at present, to write you, and requested me to do so.  His physician, however, thinks that with proper care he will recover.
Mrs. Scammon and Elfsberg are quite well.
Charles K. is a cadet in the land service of this expedition.  We left him at Plover Bay, bound for the Anydar river.  He is attached to the Siberian division, under Colonel Abasa.
I am, very truly, your obedient servant,
JAMES J. BLACK,
Secretary to Chief of Marine.
Hon. J. Y. Scammon, Chicago, Ill.