Kennicott Documents

Lockport Dec. 11th 1854

Dr. Kennicutt

Dear Sir

Your favor of Nov 24th was receivd several days since - I was unable to answer your letter earlier on account of certain business arrangements being undetermined, which would settle the question of whether I could take time to purpose something for your vol. of Transactions -

I feel the importance of the subject & know that first rate matter & none other, should be compiled - I feel some hesitancy about attempting it for my time is just at prsent, & for a month to come is to be, fully occupied. I fear an article from me would be imperfect on that account if for no other But as you say you need[underlined] help I am disposed to try[underlined] - pledging you to reject[underlined] the the[strikethrough] article if it is not up to the standard -

I have reflected somewhat upon the subject to be discussed & have finally, from the importance of the topic itself, concluded to write something on the subject of Fences[underlined]

If you can refer me to any thing on that subject, or furnish any items I would esteem it a favor

Very Respectfully Yours

John F Daggett

Ottawa Debr 12, 54 Doctr J.A. Kennicott Dr Sir Returned here last Saturday, the cold weather so unfavourable shall not make our 2000 Gls., wine, this season, Your notice of my Port, as "sweet tipple" is unfortunate for the reputation of an article manufactured solely for medicinal purposes, & it does not help it any to admit that it is better than Nineteen twentieths of liquor shop mixtures, it is so superior to all or any of them that I consider a comparison with the best as deregatory, There are six counties in Illinois that would have furnished the present season, had the wild grapes been seasonably secured, 250,000 Gallons of as good & pure wine as was ever shipped from the Land of Oporto, & considering that the purest imported Port wine is hightly adulterated, I was certain Shall try my hand at the Treatise on the vine & wine making soon, indeed have been head & heels in the latter the last three weeks - friends all well truly Yr friend, H. L. Brush

Galisburg Dec 12th 1854

My Friend the "Old [Dock?]

It was with much pleasure that yours of 18th ult. came to hand a few days since; and I have tho'h it strange (at times), that I did not hear from you; but then I knew that you must be employed to the full; and then have not tho'h it so singular -

I am not sure; it is two, (and may be three) letters of mine has been unanswered - I have thought for some time of writing to you about our Shrubbery matter - I fear you will think I am not a very good salesman - I will inform you a little about the whole matter - in the first place, at the time they even arrived at Penin it was horribly cold - and they were waiting for better weather - seeing no other way I started with my own timepaid an enormous high bill of charges; and got home the day before the ground finally closed for the season - About their lying out on the wharf boat in the [peer?] &c. &c. I wrote you at the time - Well, those that were divisible were divided as well as I could and well cared for - They were injured considerably by the rough care and [ferring?] -

I have not taken an "account of stock", but I will do so soon, and make an account of sold, which are small -- I will inform you of some of the causes -- The countup number of Rose-buys that we have had here for 4 or 5 Yrs has prevented people from buying Roses -- Some var. an so common here; such as Iris, Virgins [Borin], Lailuc, Tiger Lily, Strawbery Tree, & some others that they can be had for the begging, that it is impossible to sell-- I will write you as soon as I mention what this is and you can say what it is worth --- You count on a "poor stick" in me for a picture in the Transactions -- my will, is good -- my talent; small -- however I will write an article and if you think worthy a place -- make use of it -- and do not think my toes are so tender that I could not stand its rejection -- The title may be; Timber Growing--[underln] I am truly glad that Charlie is at home and well [3 words underln] -- Let me hear from you as soon as time and opportunity will admit -- all well Yours truly In haste A. Millinuez [underln]

Grass Plains. Dec. 14th/54

John A. Kennicott M.D.

My Respected Friend

Your letter of 2d inst was duly recieved, and wishing to visit Springfield and endeavour to close up our financial affairs, before I answerd your letter -

I have just reached home and embrace the first leasure moment to say to you that means are now at our command to meet all our liabilities, and leave a ballance of sixteen or eightteen hundred dollars in the Treasuary - consisting of the following credits - $200. in plate - $125 in Diplomas $ Lent $300. and about $250 in cash - so you see we are not in the fix, some of us feared we should be when you left us -

While I approve of rigid econemy in all our expenditures I do not wish the interest of the society to suffer when we have the means at our command to prevent it. And I wish you to come to Springfield, at once if you can better serve her interest in so doing - in my judgement you had better come down at once -

I approve of your course in writing the Govenor - but I stil doubt the propriety of asking, the Legislature for $3000- I think $2000- for 4 or 5 years would answer our purposes - I fear asking for 3- will opperate against our claim for an appropriation - And it will not do for the society to entertain for a moment the idea[underlined] of making our C. Sec - a saleried officer and to be paid

and to be paid out of the State Tresuary - as other State officers - I as one of the Members and officers of of the Society feel very thankful to Mr Dunlap for his good wishes for the society and her interest - and I fear he and our friends in and out of the Legislature will find they will have all they can do - to get an appropriation of $2. or 3000- for the society - I think you had better defer your report till you reach spring=field - You can after you reach springfield - and get your matters in good shape and your notes all made out come to my place and spend a few days with me and write out your report - where I can be with you - and have the pleasure of giving you the

hospitalities of my house - Mr Williams sent off check on yesterday - to pay for our Diplomas - $200 - & a check for $300 - to pay for our tent - I doubt the propriety of my attempting to write an Essay - for our Trasactions, we will talk the matter over when I see you - write me on the recpt of this when I may look for you at springfield you have my best wishes for the health and happiness of yourself and family -

your friend & Obent Servt -

Jas. M. Brown

[stamped] J. Kennicott Brenton Collections

Ottawa Dec 15/54

Dear Doctor

Yours of Novr 21 was in due season at hand - I have to day written to Prest. Allen telling him the days of the convention and asking him to select the one on which he will address our people.

I have Arney & Brown's Essays in the green chest which has been returned safely at last - I will bring everything to Sping field with me -

I will write LS Bullock to prepare an Essay - I declare I do do not know how I can fulfil my promise. But I must - to write.

It is settled we are all to be at Peoria on the 26th Decr to attend the Teacher's Institute. Edwards Evident -ly intends to make that the theatre of his great Effort - Let us make it his Phillippi - Be there if[strikethrough] as early on the 25th as possible - It appears the Methodist College at Blooming -ton applied to him to call

to him to call a convention (Educational) at Bloomington on the session of the Legislature - this he has declined and informed them he shall make his call at Peoria and he is now engaged in doing so at the close of his lectures -

I understand the Professors of the Methodist college at B. were to have a meeting & Arney was invited to give his views about the endowment of that institution This is strange as he is considered heterodox & has been for years then - Poverty however (even with colleges) makes strange bedfellows you know.

Better on the whole employ Arney to assist you at Spring -field and if you need addition al assistance have Baird - It is [best?] we should not tax our In dustrial friends to be on their own charges when we can provide work and pay for them to do.

I was quite surprised to find the Exchequer of the Ste Agl Socy exhausted and so wrote Mr.