2

(Letter to Bishop Elliott from Rt. Rev. Leonidas Polk) -2-

its devotement with strong sympathy and generous offers of service.
Henry invited me to the Smithsonian to-day. I went and examined
his work thoroughly. It is a very extended affair; it is accom-
plishing a great work for the increase and diffusion of knowledge
and is far in advance of anything I had conceived of. Many of the
best of his plans may be appropriated with great advantage by us.
I leave in the evening for Philadelphia and shall hope to meet my
daughters the first of the next week from Europe. I shall spend
a few days with them in Philadelphia then go to West Point and if
I can to Harvard for a day or so thence to join you at Savannah.
I exceedingly regret you could not be with me in this visit to
West Point and Harvard especially, and if I saw any way by which it
could be done in time for our uses before the preparation of our
report at a later day I would propose it to have you aid in the
work of inspection but this I do not see.

Don't you think we may find it useful to have
some man acquainted with German and French to read those French
books for us and make abstracts of such things in English for
our use? This would help us very greatly and is a legitimate
change on the Board. We may find just the man we want in my
Diocese in every way eminently qualified - a German clergyman
of our church - Rev. Dr. Vollar. Write me immediately on this point to Phila.

With my kind regards to Mrs. E. and the little ones,
Yours very truly
L. Polk.