Transcribe Hornaday, W. T. Letter to the Ward, Henry A. (1878-12-22)

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Hornaday Orient Expedition_1878_12_22_g.jpg

'big" strictly speaking. I to a dead certainty that before
the week was out I would have than the "big" ones in the
truest sense of the word. And I certainly did. While I
wished to give you the number I had at that date I also wished
to indicate the fact that I was getting Orangs you
so much wanted. Was there not method in my madness after all?
 I inclose list of expenses & list of specimens for Nov. Of
course I am keeping strict account of my time and altho
I have some days to cut off from Borneo I will let it go
until the end to save disarranging the dates we have now in 
mind & on the books. Am very much pleased with your
report on the Battle Creek folks. You really seem to think I know
a good specimen (of the kind) when I see it. I entirely agree
with you in all the opinions you expressed of Miss C. But I go even
beyond that! Why do ^you^ not write me whether or not you
want Mr Lucas to come here so that I could on the one hand
go deeper into the situation, or on the other let it alone entirely!
You do not even limit your wishes.
 I arrived here on the 20th day before yesterday. Just
a few hours after the mail steamer had left for Europe.
I read your letters of Sept 10th 15th 20th & 29th and
by yesterdays mail two letters of Oct 24th & Nov 1st No
others since my previous letter </s one between > Yes, yes, one from
Battle Creek, but none from that to Oct 24th Many thanks
for the 2 fine photographs of Duncan Jones & Co. The Sarawak
people were delighted with a view of them.
 In accordance with the directions of your last letters
I have started to collect botanical specimens for the
Brooks cabinet. I got some fine specimens of 
of the Dyaks, some crude gutta percha, specimens of the
more celebrated & valuable woods of Borneo, and various
other things. I shall try at once to find out some good
botanist who can furnish me with the 1000 Asiatic plants
you require , and will of course turn up the right man with
the desired specimens before very long . Oh yes. I have a lot
of pitchers of a big which I managed to prepare
</s pretty > rather nicely, and are very curious.
 Before I leave Singapore I will (unless I am 
much pushed for time) send you another little information
book about this part of the world, but it is all to be written
yet. & I have a of work ahead. I the Job of
going over Borneo notes on shells & trying to supply the
wants mentioned therein. Were there not a few more men

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     I inclose list of expenses & list of specimens for Nov. Of

course I am keeping strict account of my time and altho I have some days to cut off from Borneo I will let it go until the end to save disarranging the dates we have now in mind & on the books. Am very much pleased with your report on the Battle Creek folks. You really seem to think I know a good specimen (of the kind) when I see it. I entirely agree with you in all the opinions you expressed of Miss C. But I go even beyond that! Why do ^you^ not write me whether or not you want Mr Lucas to come here so that I could on the one hand go deeper into the situation, or on the other let it alone entirely! You do not even limit your wishes.

    I arrived here on the 20th day before yesterday. Just

a few hours after the mail steamer had left for Europe. I read your letters of Sept 10th 15th 20th & 29th and by yesterdays mail two letters of Oct 24th & Nov 1st No others since my previous letter </s one between > Yes, yes, one from Battle Creek, but none from that to Oct 24th Many thanks for the 2 fine photographs of Duncan Jones & Co. The Sarawak people were delighted with a view of them.

    In accordance with the directions of your last letters

I have started to collect botanical specimens for the Brooks cabinet. I got some fine specimens of of the Dyaks, some crude gutta percha, specimens of the more celebrated & valuable woods of Borneo, and various other things. I shall try at once to find out some good botanist who can furnish me with the 1000 Asiatic plants you require , and will of course turn up the right man with the desired specimens before very long . Oh yes. I have a lot of pitchers of a big which I managed to prepare </s pretty > rather nicely, and are very curious.

    Before I leave Singapore  I will (unless I am </u too >

much pushed for time) send you another little information book about this part of the world, but it is all to be written yet. & I have a of work ahead. I the Job of going over Borneo notes on shells & trying to supply the wants mentioned therein. Were there not a few more men