p. 10

1065
-1226-

1863.

Milwaukee, Dec. 14, 1863.

William F. Berry,
Sec'y Chicago Hist. Soc.,

Dear Sir--

I have recently had the pleasure of a visit from Mr. Robert Kennicott of your city, who has a project of founding in Chicago a great Institution for the promotion of knowledge of the natural and kindred sciences, ranking with the Smithsonian and with Agassiz' museum; for which he has received encouragement from some of your substantial men. I happen to know he has the means at command for supplying such an establishment with a very fair beginning, if only a permanently endowed organization could be found to receive it.

With regard to a library, which is a necessary appendage to such a thing, I have suggested to him to arrange with the Historical society to take charge of such books as may come to the proposed institution, thus making both more useful. I cannot but hope that the character and fame such a movement would bring to your goodly city (if no better motive can be found will induce its inauguration.

Persons seeking knowledge in the West will then have the means of attaining it without the necessity of making a pilgrimage "down east" or to Europe.

Yours truly,

I.A. Lapham.

------------