p.3

[Enclosed with letter to Alexander Mitchell, from I. A. Lapham,
May 5, 1865]

Should the matter be decided upon
favorably it would be well to commence
with the 1st of July next.

It might be the first duty of the
secretary to visit such men as
Dr. Engelmann of St Louis, Wm S.
Sullivant of Columbus Ohio - Prof
Henry Secy. of the Smithsonian
Institution, Dr. John Torrey of N. York
& Prof Asa Gray of Harvard College
near Boston, to consult upon the
details best calculated to secure the desired
objects; to purchase such books as are
of most immediate importance; to draw
up a plan or the organization of the
institution, and for future operations;
to prepare a charter to be presented to the
next legislature; and to do such other
work as may be deemed necessary in
commencing such an establishment.

I. A. L.

May 23d