RKFP-110

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.

Brown - I proposed to him to be one of five to lend the society enough to pay her debts if he would find the other five I shall look with some long ing for the Treasurers report.

You had best write Matte -son at[underlined] once[underlined] suggesting him to recommend an appropriation to the State Agl. Society of $5000 or less per [annum?]. He will go it strong I have no doubt. You know what he said to me at Spgfld.

I have a letter from the Prof urging us to come to Peoria.

One from Wright (JS.) gives $20to League - from Danford (ditto)

Every thing works well for us - Be sure to meet us at Peoria We may & probably shall want you to go to Sping field before the Peoria Institute adjourns. Either you or I should & I think you better fitted for what has to be done

Some body must be there to secure the concert of action among our

friends and especially to secure the cor[strikethrough] appointment of our own friends as members of the committee on Education in both houses -

In haste Yours truly Bronson M[urray?]

[stamped] J. Kennicott Brenton Collections