Transcribe Lucas, Frederic A. (Frederic Augustus). Letter to Ward, Henry A. (1883-04-17)

you the best of success you will pardon me if I repeat that no business can succeed which is conducted so largely for the purpose of allowing its manager to travel. It is a mystery to every thoughtful person & I have not been asked once, but often "how in the world you could afford to take so many and such expensive trips'." The amount of lying I have done in explaining that i something awful. I wish DeKempeneer were not so far away for it seems too bad that a $1,600. place should go begging. I reported the offer to Prof. Baird and he said he could not afford to give me, $1,600. but that it had already been arranged that from July 1. I should have $1,400. or $1,500. he forgot just where I was on the new schedule. Whether this was wholly true or not my depraved and ineficious mind doubts, but the result is satisfactory, & as I told Prof. Baird I prefer the U. S. N. M. at $1,500. to the other at $1,600. I shall report to the Surgeon General in a day or so that I must decline his offer and that I know of no one I can recommend except DeK. And there the matter and I shall rest. I haven't much of a con=- science, but so far it is tolerably free from mean actions and I do not intend to begin soiling it by showing ingratitude to you. [Agassig] was in our shop a few minutes to-day. The National Academy is in Session here now. Society matters are flourishing and lively. We hope for proof of catalogue soon.

                    Sincerely your's
                                         Frederick A. Lucas

[another hand vertically in the right margin- </u Lucas > Mar. '83] [YBG]