Transcribe Hornaday, W. T. Letter to Ward, Henry A. (1873-10-18)

you may think me egotistical, but I believe you underrate me in thinking that it will be a year or so before I can render you valuable service. But I suppose that if such was the case with your other workmen I would hardly be an exception; at all events trial will decide it.

 This is a young Institution, and its friends are not liberal, and do not know what it is to build up a museum, and I seriously doubt if anyone could be found in state willing to give $1000. to the Museum. If I had that much available means nothing would suit me better than to invest it in such an enterprise as you propose. I thought that perhaps you made up a sort of party, like some I have known, and took some help with you. I suppose I shall have to be patient, although