United States Senate,

WASHINGTON, D. C.

June 21, 1892.

Rev. Timothy Dwight,

President Yale University,

New Haven, Conn.

My dear Sir:

Your esteemed favor of the 8th instant is received. The Sundry Civil Appropriation Bill, in which the item of appropriation for paleontology should appear, is now being considered by the Senate Committee on Appropriations. I shall do all I can to secure the appropriation, but it is very difficult at this session of Congress to obtain needful appropriations to carry on the Government. The Democratic party seem determined to make a record for the fall election without regard to the merits of any particular appropriation. They are striking in the dark for the purpose of reducing the aggregate amount, without regard to the effect upon the business of the country, or matters of educational or scientific importance.

Your letter calls to my mind many pleasant recollections. Although I left Yale to seek my fortune in the gold fields of California before I had finished my collegiate course, my attachment to that great institution is as firm and lasting as it could

-2-

possibly have been if I had been fortunate enough to enjoy all
the advantages of a complete course. The training I obtained
there has been of immense service to me through life, and the fail-
ure to remain during the term and receive my degree in the usual
way is a matter of life-long regret.

I expect to visit Yale on the 28th and enjoy the reunion
of the Class of 1852. It is possible, however, that official du-
ties here may prevent my attendance. The two Conventions of the
great parties, one at Minneapolis and the other at Chicago, have
interfered very materially with the business of Congress. If the
Commencement of Yale were this week, I could leave here without
neglecting important public duties. Next week there will be a
full Senate and a great pressure of business, and it will be very
difficult for me to find time to visit Yale. I have not, however,
given up the hope that I will be able to do so. I have charge of
many important bills, and cannot positively determine whether or
not I can leave until about Monday or Tuesday next. If I am able
to attend your Commencement, be assured that it will be no fault
of mine, and is only because I cannot be excused from important
legislation entrusted to my care.

Yours, very truly,