p. 99

-99- 1829.

for Mr. Canvass White, Civil Engineer, four specimens of each variety
of shells found in the Ohio river, about the falls and have already
about thirty varieties of unios and seberal [several] univalves. He wants
them for Philadelphia Scientific Institutions and for himself. ****
Prof. B.S. Silliman
New Haven, Conn.
Respectfully yours,
Increase A. Lapham.
Mar. 3. Canvass White returned from New Orleans to day.
Mar. 5. Wrote to Canvass White the following letter.

Shippingsport Ky. Mar. 5th, 1829.

Respected Friend,--

Deeply impressed with a sense of the high im-
portance of a thorough course of collegiate education and knowing
that I have now arrived at an age when it must be commenced if
ever, I have for some time past been reflecting on this subject and
endeavoring to form a plan by which I might attain so desirable an
object. But various difficulties present themselves present themselves resulting from one source only, the want of sufficient means to accomplish it.

My parents are not in such circumstances as to allow my
calling on them and to wait until I can earn it myself would cause
too great a delay and perhaps blast my prospects forever. The
strong desire I have for accomplishing this object is my only
apology for addressing you on the subject.

I want the means to do it and if you through your own pe-
cuniary resources or influence [influence] in society will obtain for me the
amount of money necessary for a collegiate education, you will have
conferred on me a favor equal to my most sanguine expectations,
and one which (if life and health are the allotments of Heaven)
shall be canceled to the last farthing.

I am, sir, with sentiments of respect and esteem
your most obt.servt.

Canvass White, Esq.
Louisville,

Increase A. Lapham.