Field Columbian Museum Chicago
18 May 1897
Mr Ernst Hartert Dear Sir;
I have but just returned to the museum and am in receipt of your letter of May 1st, yours of March 30th was received soem three weeks ago but I was at that time quite unwell and only for the last few days have I felt like myself and disposed to attend to my regular duties. I am however now fully recovered.
I will try and answer your letters beginning with the last which for some reasons would seem to be more important of the two.
I am sure that I regret it much as you possibly can the fact that there is another collector going into the same field that I expected to cover. I am not acquainted with Mr Klages, and I had no idea there was any one else contemplating a trip to Venezuela or I would have made more of an effort to get away sooner. But I may as well confess that the principal reason that I am not already on my way to Venezuela is that I need the money that I am now earning to pay for my outfit, passage etc. etc. I would also a little rather have begun my work there at the beginning of the dry season (in Venezuela); that is about November 1st. I have written to New York to know if Mr Klage has already gone; if not when he is going; and to lear, if possible just what points he expects to visit. OF course I do not want to go to the same spots that Mr Klages visits- at least I do not care to visit them behind him! If I learn that Mr Klages expects to visit the same localities I anticipated working; then I will try and get in communication with him with a view of arranging in a friendly way that we stop at somewhat different places. If & when I learn
