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

the Stekin, there is a deposit of gannets in Sand Stone - they are of no value except as a curiosity - I will collect specimens of minerals etc and forward them with description of locale etc - As yet there has been no well defined vein of mineral found in Southern Alaska. Nor do I believe there are any - The resources of this portion of Alaska have been greatly exaggerated and underrated - according to the interests of the writers - The Alaska Commercial Comp. - and those employed by them as a matter of course give it as dismal account as possible & vice versa. Along the coast, main land and on the Islands - grow to over 6 feet in dia -The Principal tree is the Hemlock - the so called Alaska cedar which is scattering and generally Knotty - is a species of the Cupressus Con? It is generally supposed that it will resist the attacks of worms ? ? in salt water but it is a fallacy - As to the climate, the coldest weather this