Letter from J. W. Foster to Mr. Lapham

(d)

said Chapter 292 shall be completed, unless the Governor of
this State, for the time being, shall think proper to revoke
and determine this commission.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and
caused the Great Seal of the State of Wisconsin to be affixed.

Done at Madison this tenth day of April, in the year of
our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-three.

By The Governor,

C.C. Washburn.

John S. Dean,

Asst. Sec'y of State.

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Chicago, April 12, 1873.

My Dear Mr. Lapham,

*** I see by this morning's paper that you
have been designated by the Governor to make the Geological Sur-
vey of Wisconsin. Let me congratulate you on the appointment.
Your local knowledge of the state and your investigations in so
many branches of Natural Science have eminently qualified you for
this position, and in the final report you will have the opportunity
of bringing out the results of a long life of observation, which
will make you an enduring monument. I am exceedingly gratified
that this career is now opened to you. Our acquaintance dates
back nearly a quarterly of a century and while I have had a high re-
spect for your attainments, I have felt that you have done injus-
tice to yourself in neglecting to publish your results or in pass-
ing them over to others. I need not say that I have been the
recipient of such favors but I trust I have given suitable acknowl-
ment [acknowledgement?] ***

Very truly and sincerely,

J.W. Foster.