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Letters of importance.
Apr. 26.  Geo. C. Walker, Chicago. (24) Details of correspondence with Chicago for this winter.  Felt mad because my long letter was unnoticed.  Was busy in - [[underlined]] Dec [[/underlined]] - packing S.I. colls & resting. 
- [[underlined]] Jan [[/underlined]] - Three weeks at Mty.  -[[underlined]] Feb [[/underlined]] - working over Mty colls with Cooper. - [[underlined]] Mar [[/underlined]] - on Sci. outfit for 1/66. - [[underlined]] April [[/underlined]] - on Medical work.  Fisher expected by next Str. Reasons for not writing. Annoyances, &c. Corres. constantly with Baird. Have carried all my points.  Destination & plans for season still? but will write in full before we leave.  Enclose copy of Sci. outfit bills.  Want shot and gun.  If can't get or afford it shall draw on J.Y. Scammon for not more than $50. gold and send note @ 10%.  Regard it as important. (25) Have applied to Col. Wicker and rec'd assurances of post on Youkon or position in or com'd'g a party for Ks relief, if doubts exist. Reasons, 1st Mumford, don't appreciate science. Capt S. may resign a/c of his past services.  Wrights character. Bs. trouble, is consulting low officers & associates.  Anxious about K.  Shall be in position to help him as Q.M. Seems the only way to bring the Sci. work out triumphant.  Blue prospect but never say die.  Excuse illegible letter. Write if possible.  Don't be offended at my frankness. 
May. 8.  Prof Baird.  Little news.  [[Saginaw?]] reports June 15.  Hence we are not likely to go sooner.  Dr. Horn here & bound East soon. King here.  Troubles in Arizona T. Cal. Acad. much improved.  Medical work done.  Am working on Cal. shells partic. land shells.  Also getting my Monterey notes ready for Cpr. He ought to have copies where they can be obtained by students.  Ready to pay & he owes it to collectors who have sent him everything to have his works accessible. The Cal. Acad. pd $118.00 for his Latin. = For Engl $146.00.  Acad. can't afford his prejudices.  He has never sent either copies or types, which were recognizable.  Am. worked and Engl. rec'd benefits.  Ready to pay but proof or copies only lent are aggravating.  Speak for all West 
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coast conchologists not my self. Prof Whitney agrees. not my jealousy.  As long as he works as now, there will be plenty of work left for collectors on the ground.  Ready & shall help him all I can while disagreeing.  Signed a recp't for Sci. outfit.  Thanks for pamphlets.  Elliott coming Col. says. Regards to Ulke.
May 17. Geo. C. Walker enclosing Rep. on Med. Dept. note to Fisher. Orders to Captains, and Directions for collecting. No news. Nothing certain. Rec'd copy of Chi. Acad. Sci. hope for more for K. Ship left for Petropavlovsk.
May 17. Baird.  Sent the same. Short of S.I instructions for collecting.  Little hope of seeing Elliott.  Have published & sent or will send notes.  Cal. Acad. and what Prof. Whitney, Stearns and my self have done for it.
May 29.  Baird.  More stir in Exp. affairs. Yours of Ap. 9 rec'd. Col. B says he leaves June 3. Doubtfull.  He telegraphed East that he and Anassof go to Petropavlovsk direct and thence to Behring Strait. Clara Bell gone. Palmetto and Rutgers nearly ready. Shenanigan in regard to purchases by W. & W. Vessels detained for want of stores.  Col. has been very liberal, approved my roving commission of which a copy follows.  Shall go on the Nightingale, may go in 3 weeks.  Whether Elliott joins me, whether I stay all winter or not and where are questions for time and circumstances to determine. If I find a good collecting ground I may stay all winter.  Shall try for two barometers.  Wrote to Walker about shot and draft on Scammon.  Canf. note enclosed.  About Duck and Indian. Further news by mail before we go.  Each vessel fitted with Sci. outfit. 
June 8.  Prof. Baird.  Lend shells &c by Str. 10th for Cpr. Get off next week.  No signs of Elliott.  A Bold Stroke for a gun.  Prospect of going to Youkon Anadyr & Petropavlovsk.  Whitney & survey fare well dinner, very pleasant.  Heard from Dana that Brazil party is disbanded.  Acad prospering. Ks Rep. encl.

Transcription Notes:
Ambrosia: Reviewed, made edits to names. Walker's name corrected: Geo. (George), not Teo. Canf. probably short for Dr. Canfield