Boston, Dec. 3rd 1885
Honorable Leland Stanford
San Francisco
My Dear Sir
Please pardon the liberty I have taken in addressing you regarding a very valuable collection of the [woods?] of the United States. More than $150,000 [has?] been expanded in Collecting these woods, and I have cut from them pieces radial, tangential, and transverse, thin sections, and mounted them between [micro?] 600 sections numbered[_?]latin name, common name and with them is a book describing the structure, qualities, and uses, with geographical and other notes upon the trees. Tables regarding elasticity, [value?] for feel - [ash?] - specific gravity, strength under pressure, weight [etc etc?] all these are enclosed in a case 25 inches wide 13'' deep 13'' high. Each of the 600 cards would have the name of the University, and benefactor or President as desired and the cost to you would be $850.00 delivered - Collection, Cabinet and Book Complete - I enclose specimen. [Yours?] respectfully
[Chat W?] [Spurr?]