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Washington D. C.
Sept 14" 1858.
Dear Sir,
I have concluded to deposit my collection of specimens of Natural History in the Univerity of Michigan according to my original design and wish, assuming the right to remove them in case they should be in danger of neglect from any cause which might disturb the Institution, and the Regents insuring them from fire &c. And I have stipulated that you should come on to Washington if you should see fit to accept the proposition and select, label and pack them, and superntive[?] the depositing, mounting &c of them in the University. Will you accpet of this proposition and come on to Washington at your convenience this Fall or winter and select under the a museum for the University under the direction advice of Mr Baird. He suggested your name to me as the best qualified
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for such a trust, and with your assistance and such specimen as Mr Baird may be kind enough to add to mine I am sure a very fine collection could be made out.
The Regents wished me to ask your terms for accepting such a service. And I would suggest that you might make the duty one more of professional advantage then otherwise by asking payment of your expenses and a reasonable compensation for time &c and that you might confer with Dr Lapham President of the Board of Ann Arbor. directly; after hearing from me again; and perhaps visit Ann Arbor and see what facilities they offer and explain to the Regents the extent of the collection and what will be required to put it in order at the University. Mr Baird will add enough to make it one of the best in the country.
Please let me hear from you as soon as convenient and
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state what time you would require if you undertake the task, and the put[?] able expense of the whole including your own expenses. The Univerity is in a fleurishing direction and this collection will be looked upon with interest.
Tell Andrews I am sorry I could not send the collection to Chicago; after the University he would have been the the most likely to have got them, but I felt an interest in the University and feel committed to the present cause.
Yours truly &c W. P. Tunbridge[?]
Mr Kennicott. Chicago