Transcribe Hornaday, W. T. Letter to Ward, Henry A. (1883-02-17)

Society of American Taxidermists,
FOR THE ADVANCEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE ART.

Office of the Executive Committee Washington, D.C., Feb. 17th 1883
U.S. National Museum.

Dear Professor:
Many thanks for yours of last Monday.
But, my dear Professor, you surely forget in your anger
at "Webster and I" for our audacity that I at least was
not the first to propose the advance of funds. If I did
I cannot recall it. I think it was not until after
you offered to join [Studer?] in the affair that I began to
regard such a thing as possible. And besides, I expected
of course the Establishment, which would derive the
benefit from the Ex. would take the risk & not you
personally. But I hope we will not need any
great amt. advanced. The shipment of specimens to
Central Park museum at that time will help us
immensely economically, for of course the Museum
must pay that freight and boxing.
Now, Prof Bickmore is going to help us get what
specimens we want from the C.P. Museum. I asked for
the gorilla, for one thing, & they said they had no
gorilla yet! Now please let me know exactly whether
you propose to ask for the loan of your specimens which
you have not delivered yet to them! I earnestly hope
not, & see no necessity for it. The gorilla evidently comes
in that category. [Critchley?] wants the specimens named
on the enclosed list, & Webster wants what are on the
other list. Please check off the ones it is not