Transcribe Woodcock, W. H. Letter to Ward, Henry A. (1881-03-01)

nwh Fort Wrangel March 1. st 81 Professor Henry A. Ward Rochester N. Y.

       Dear Sir
       Your favor of Dec 12th was not

rec'd by this mail. I should have rec'd it last month, but the Post Master neglected to forward any mail ? by the January ?. We are supposed to have a mail monthly, but I am ? the Contractor has permission from the department to miss a month, especially in Winter - If you write send via Victoria, V. I. as especially during the summer we have more frequent communication from Victoria than from Portland - I have spoken to several indians relative to Sea Otter Skeletons; the great difficulty is that they have a Superstition that unless they cut the heads off when Killed, their canoes will be lost. However I will do my best, I will inquire the Price of Sea Otter skins and will inform you per next mail -