Box 11, Folder 5: Correspondence January-April 1873

[29.224.]

United States Commission, Fish and Fisheries, Washington, Feb 14, 1873

Dear Sir, You have doubtless learned ere this that the salmon spawn from Germany arrived here in bad condition; the distribution of salmon eggs must therefore be essentially from the stock now in charge of Mr. Charles G. Atkins of Bucksport, Maine. This gentleman has been authorised to send you 40,000 eggs, ^for use of the State of Wisconsin^ & I would suggest that you telegraph your wishes as to their shipment, — we well as address him by letter.

Please advise me of the receipt of these eggs, & keep me informed from time to time, of the progress of the experiment. Very truly yours,

Spencer F Baird Commissioner

Dr. I. A. Lapham Milwaukee Wisconsin

S. F. Baird Feb 14 1873

arr 18th — Telegraphed & wrote to Atkins also to Dousman

Dr J. W. Froster Chicago, 15 Feb. 1873

My Dear Lapham:

I gave Squier & Davis to Mr. S. F. Perkins, who will forward it to you (that is the Volume) when we shall have looked over the [illegible], etc. By the way, I find him a very intelligent person, with magnificent collection, and artist capable of delineating the [illegible] things in his collection, I thank you for having brought him in contact with me.

I enclose your newspaper extract & [Woodman's?] reply. If I had my way, I would make it a [illegible] offence to utter such things.

I have gone to [illegible] write my work. I had looked to have a long conference with you, & the opportunity of discussing various points as to our ethnology. If everything had been favorable, I would have gone to Madison, but I feel that I am old & clumsy, & [illegible] —

[illegible] going to hotels where I may have to climb, or rather descend several flights of stairs, and be on the alert when the dinner bell [illegible].

I hope to get through my [illegible]- [illegible] by April, & shall be [illegible] to present to you my offering. I have been compelled to reject the great mass of [illegible] [illegible] which the [illegible] on [illegible] has placed at my disposal. As it is, I will have about 811 illustrations.

Perkin's specimens certainly indicate that the mound builders knew how to [illegible] copper, & independent of these, I had arrived at the same conclusion.

Ever yours,

J. W. Froster

Dr. I. A. Lapham Milwaukee

Bucksport Maine Feby 18, 1873

I. A. Lapham Milwaukee, Wisc.

Dear Sir,

Your telegram rec'd. I will send all or part of your salmon eggs next trunk. Think as the route is a long one I will send in instalments. If the first I send arrive in bad condition, telegraph at once, and explain fully [fully] by letter.

Yours &c

Charles. G. Atkins