Box 11, Folder 3: Correspondence September-December 1871

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I have your published meteorological reports from 1822 down to 1859 and would like to be supplied with any that may have been published for subsequent years.

Very respectfully Yours

I A Lapham

To the Surgeon General Washington

Private

Rooms of State Historical Society of Wisconsin

[Illustration] Seifert & Lawton, Milwaukee

Address: L.C. Draper, Corr. Sec'y or. D. S. Durrie, Librarian

Madison Dec. 7th, 1871.

I. A. Lapham, LL.D.,

My Dear Sir:

Our Annual Meeting will take place on Tuesday Evening Jan 2d. [ensuing?]. As there is then to be a new election of President & other officers, I thought I wd. [would] write you & ask what your wishes are with reference to re-election? Please speak frankly.

Why I inquire is - that something has been suggested, that in case you have no feeling or desire for re-election, that Hon. Alex. Mitchell

be promoted - as he has intimated an intention of doing something for the Society - something clever, we sh'd. [should] hope.

There is a feeling with me & others who have spoken on the matter, to re-elect you, sh'd. [should] you desire it. You have now served us ten years as our President - & Gen'l. [General] Smith eight years before you - Gen'l Smith having first been elected in Jan. 1854, & you in Jan. 1862.

Pray write me frankly & freely. Our Library report will figure up 50,500, [bound?] [& numbered?] - a pretty respectable collection.

God bless you!

Ever Yours Most Sincerely,

Lyman C. Draper

Will you be able to meet with us Jan. 2d evening?

Milwaukee Dec 7, 1871

Dr Sir

I have been able to give so little attention to the duties of President of the Wisconsin State Historical Society during the time I have held that office I doubt whether it is right for me to continue in the same; & therefore should there be any disposition to confer that honor upon me again, at the next annual meeting, I beg you will do me the favor to make it known to the society that I do not wish to be considered a candidate for the office.

With many good wishes for your future progress and prosperity, I remain

Yours truly

I. A. Lapham

Lyman C. Draper Esq Sec. Wis Hist Soc. [Wisconsin Historical Society]

To L. C. Draper Dec 7, 1871