Letter from Eugene W. Hilgard to Governor Benjamin G. Humphreys; July 19, 1866

July 19^th 1866

University of Mississippi Oxford July 19 1866

Hilgard—Eug. W. State Geologist

Letter of—

Transmitting accou-nt of expenditures and in regard to appointment of an assistant.

[seal]

Oxford, Miss., July 19, 1866.

Gov. B. G. Humphreys

Dear Sir,

Inclosed I send you my account of expenditures on behalf of the Geol. Survey up to date. The first item, supplemental to my previous bill of expenses on my Jackson trip, arises from a R. R. accident, compelling me to lie over. The second relates to some instruments sent to Boston for repairs, before the war, paid for in advance, and now come to hand. The other items explain themselves; the Express freight charges are very high, but I have found it unpracticable, without great risk of damage in transportation, to have such articles sent otherwise. The bill has been filled by Messrs. Lalune & Co. very ^much^ to my satis-faction, and the damage in transitu has been insignificant.

I have made out the bill as has been my practice before the war, to obviate the necessity of my presence. I used to be able to cash warrants here, but cannot do so now, & hence I would request you to cash the warrant at The Treasury and have the money forwarded to me by Express, Messrs. Lalunes conditions are cash in 30 days, and as Aug. 3 is near at hand, there is not much time to spare. The Auditor will require your requi-sition before issuing warrant, according to law.

I have not heard from you on the subject of the appoint-ment of an assistant. As my plan of operations will essentially depend upon the prospects in this respect, I would respectfully ask your opinion on the premises. If I am to act as Prof. Chem., the Survey work will stand still from the time the course com-

-mences, unless there is an assistant; in which case I could do half duty at least. But if so, I ought to make good use of the vacation in initiating the assistant—quite a different course from what I ought otherwise to do ^pursue^. So far, Dr. Little & myself have worked with a view to his appointment, but if there is no prospect of that he would change his course of study for the present.

Hoping to hear from you soon, I am with the highest respect

Very truly yours

Eug. W. Hilgard State Geologist of Miss.

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