(Personal)

New Haven, Conn.,

July 5th, 1886.

Hon. H. A. Herbert,

Dear Sir:

I do not believe that you wish to do injustice
either to the National Academy of Sciences or to myself personally,
but you certainly have done both. In the House on Wednesday last,
(if the Congressional Record is correct), you said, "This
Academy has become one of the active political forces of the
country." If by this you mean that the Academy has exceeded the
authority given it by Congress, and has interfered either in
politics or legislation, I must respectfully deny the assertion.
The Academy was chartered as the scientific adviser of the
Government, and I know of no instance. If any department of the
Government has asked for advice, this has been given without fear
or favor, but so far as I am aware, the Academy itself has never
volunteered either its advice or its influence. Individual
members may have done so, but not the Academy or its official
representatives. Since I have been president, I have been
especially cautious on this point.

Now a word about myself, and my scientific work for Yale
College and the Government.

(1) I have never received a single dollar as salary for twenty
years' service in Yale College.

(2) For the preparation of Vol.VII, of Clarence Kings' Survey
(involving several years' work, and several thousand dollars of
my own money), I received no compensation whatever.

(3) All the illustrations in the article on "Birds with teeth,"
in the Annual Report of the Geological Survey for 1881-'82, were
made at my own expense, and cost the Government nothing.

These were the two volumes shown in the debate, as examples
of extravagance.

(4) My acceptance of Government work was not of my own seeking,
but since I have been on the Geological Survey, I have given my
whole time to its service, and have received no salary from any
other source. Moreover, I have expended the greater part, if not
all of my salary, for the interests of the work in hand.

(5) My nominal connection with Yale College has saved the
Government several thousand dollars annually in rent, and has
otherwise been of much service to the Geological Survey.

(Personal)

New Haven, Conn.,

July 15th, 1886.

Hon. H. A. Herbert,

Dear Sir:

Your kind letter of the 13th inst. was duly received. The object of my personal letter to you was accomplished in bringing to your attention the points it contained, and I judge from your reply that you appreciate them. I do not care to have my letter read in the House to correct what is past, for I dislike such personal notoriety, but if at any future time, a similar injustice should be done me there, you are at liberty to use it.