Box 4, Folder 5: Miscellaneous Typewritten Letters

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Geological Extra Copy

Davenport, Iowa, Jan'y 16, 1873.

Dr. I.A. Lapham,

My Dear Sir,

I do not know when I have been better pleased than in reading your article on Botanical classification in the Wisconsin Academy Transactions. It seems to me that you have struck on just the right view and whatever botanical authorities may say at first it will be eventually adopted and Coniferae transferred to its proper place between Monocotyledons and Lycopodiacene. The points you bring out are clear and convincing, one of those discoveries that when once started, every one wonders why they had not thought of it before. *** I feel proud that is should have been first worked up by a Western man and published in a Western journal. /***

I have just received the volume of Wis.Hist.Society Trans. and have acknowledged the same. Many thanks to you for the suggestion on which it was sent. Of course I should need no prompting to send you anything in the historical line that may come in my way, knowing of old your salting down propensity. ***

Yours truly,

C.C. Parry.

Wisconsin Legislature, Assembly Chamber,

Madison, Jan'y 21, 1873.

Dr. I.A. Lapham,

Dear Sir,

Yours of yesterday suggesting an appropriation by the state to be applied to the propagation and introduction of the better kinds of fish has had our careful consideration. Mr. Rhoda and myself fully concur with you that an appropriation of $500. or a larger sum would profitably expended for that purpose.

If it is not asking too much I wish you would prepare a bill and send it to me and at the proper time I will introduce it in the Assembly and in the mean time canvas the matter in the lower house. I have no doubt but the proposition when understood will be well received.

Yours truly,

F.G. Parks.

( Bill prepared and sent ) ) ( ) ) ( and passed march, 1873, ) ) ( ) ) ( 83 to 7 -- $500. appropriated)

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Milwaukee, Wisconsin, March 28, 1873.

Professor N. H. Winchell,

Dear Sir,-

I am quite surprised at the amount of work you have accomplished in so short a time, relating to the geology and Natural History of Minnesota, as shown in your first annual report, just received.

As a slight return for this favor I send you a copy of my geological map of Wisconsin and the manuscript catalogue of the

(c) plants of Minnesota, prepared by me many years ago, which still may be of use.

You will be glad to learn that Wisconsin has authorized a very thorough geological survey which will doubtless be commenced as soon as the proper season opens.

Yours truly,

I.A. Lapham.

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April 7. Monday. Went to Madison at the request of Gov. Washburn, who wished to confer with me in relation to the Geological Survey. Met him in the evening at his house, where I found also the President of the University, the President of the Board of Education, the Mayor of the city (also a regent) and Professors Irving and Daniells April 8. Went to the university. Found that Professor Irving was anxious to take part in the survey, but could not very well begin as soon as June 1.

Had a further conference with the Governor who intimated that he would send me a commission as chief of the survey with a survey of $2,500.

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STATE OF WISCONSIN,

Cadwallador C. Washburn, Governor.

TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENT SHALL COME, GREETING,

Know Ye, That reposing special Trust and Confidence in the Integrity and Ability of Dr. I.A. Lapham, I have appointed him Chief Geologist under the provisions of Chapter 292, General Laws of 1873.

And I do hereby authorize and empower him to execute and to fulfil the duties of that trust according to his best discretion until the Geological Survey of the State authorized by

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said Chapter 292 shall be completed, unless the Governor of this State, for the time being, shall think proper to revoke and determine this commission. In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and caused the Great Seal of the State of Wisconsin to be affixed.

Done at Madison this tenth day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-three.

By The Governor,

C.C. Washburn.

John S. Dean,

Asst. Sec'y of State.

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Chicago, April 12, 1873.

My Dear Mr. Lapham,

*** I see by this morning's paper that you have been designated by the Governor to make the Geological Survey of Wisconsin. Let me congratulate you on the appointment. Your local knowledge of the state and your investigations in so many branches of Natural Science have eminently qualified you for this position, and in the final report you will have the opportunity of bringing out the results of a long life of observation, which will make you an enduring monument. I am exceedingly gratified that this career is now opened to you. Our acquaintance dates back nearly a quarterly of a century and while I have had a high respect for your attainments, I have felt that you have done injustice to yourself in neglecting to publish your results or in passing them over to others. I need not say that I have been the recipient of such favors but I trust I have given suitable acknowlment [acknowledgement?] ***

Very truly and sincerely,

J.W. Foster.

In this letter dated right It may be as father was in Madison for several days at that time

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Milwaukee, April 10, 1873.

Dear Sir,-

I have had the honor to receive your letter of the 10th accompanied by a commission appointing me chief Geologist under the provisions of Chapter 292 of the general laws of 1873, and it will be my earnest endeavor to fulfil the duties you have assigned me with the best of my ability and with a view to the best interests of the State of Wisconsin.

Very Respectfully,

I.A. Lapham.

To His Excellency,

C.C. Washburn,

Governor.

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St. Anthony, Minnesota, April 11, 1873.

Dear Sir,-

*** The map will be of much service to me in the prosecution of the survey and the catalogue of plants I shall aim to have printed in my next report of progress.***

I had heard nothing of the order of the Wisconsin legislature establishing a Geological Survey, and am, of course, delighted. I hope we may proceed to the settlement of some vexed questions in the geology of the Northwest. ***

Very truly,

N.H. Winchell.

Dr. I.A. Lapham.

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