136 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN. 



I read first a letter from Senator Vest, dated Washinolon 

 April 30, 1890. ° 



United States Sknate, ■» 

 Washingtok, D. C, April 30tli, 1890. J 



My Dear Sir: The very kind invitation transmitted by you from tlie 

 Trustees of the Missouri Botanical Garden, inviting me to attend the 

 Annual Banquet to be given on May 2Gth, 1890, in honor of Henry Shaw 

 the Founder of the Missouri Botanical Garden and the Shaw School of 

 Botany, has been received, for which convey to the Trustees my sincere 

 thanks. 



Nothing would afford me greater pleasure than to participate upon any 

 occasion intended to honor the memory of Henry Shaw. He was a pub- 

 lic benefactor, and his unselflsh devotion to the people and city of St. 

 Louis entitles him to their abiding gratitude. His simple and unosten- 

 tatious life, and unpretending charity, can never be forgotten by those 

 who know the full measure of his beneficent action towards those who 

 had no other claim upon him than the common " touch of nature " which 

 unites all mankind. 



I became acquainted with Mr. Shaw more than thirty years ago, and 

 his character and attributes always commanded my sincere respect. 



There was much in common between him and Mr. W. W. Corcoran of 

 this city. They were both types of tliat public spirit and genuine phi- 

 lanthropy which adorn and elevate humanity. 



I regret very much that my public duties here will prevent mv attend- 

 ing the Banquet, but I desire in the most public manner to add my tribute 

 to the worth of Henry Shaw. Very truly, &c. 



G. G. Vest. 

 A. D. Cunningham, Esqr., 



319 North Seventh St., 



St. Louis, Mo. 



The Chairman then read the following letters, likewise 

 received by the Secretary of the Board : 



dei'antment of tite interior, 

 Bureau of Education, 

 Washington, D. C, April 29, 1890. 



Dear Sir: I acknowledge herewith the receipt of the card of invita- 

 tion to the Annual Banquet given by the Trustees of the Missouri Botan- 

 ical Garden at the Southern Hotel in honor of Henry Shaw, the Founder 

 of the Garden, and the Shaw School of Botany. 



As it will be impossible for me to be present in St. Louis on the 26th 

 of May next, I desire to thank you for the honor of the invitation and to 

 express herein the high personal esteem which I held for Mr. Shaw dur- 



