Transcribe Baird, Spencer F. Letter to Ward, Henry A. (1879-05-14)

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION WASHINGTON, MAY 14TH., 1879. DEAR SIR:

         YOUR LETTER OF THE 10TH., INSTANT HAS COME WITH AN ACCOUNT

FOR $272.00 FOR "SKELETONS & CUSTOM WORK AS PER BILL RENDERED DEC. 5TH, 1878". AS THE CHIEF CLERK, HOWEVER, HAS NO SUCH BILL AS THAT TO WHICH YOU ALLUDE IT IS MORE THAN LIKELY NONE EVER CAME TO THE INSTITUTION. I THEREFORE HAVE TO REQUEST THAT YOU WILL SEND US A DUPLICATE OF THE AC- COUNT IN DETAIL.

       CONGRATULATING YOU ON YOUR SAFE RETURN HOME.

I AM, VERY TRULY YOURS, Spencer F. Baird SECT. SMITHN. INSTUTN. PROFESSOR HENRY A. WARD. ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.