278 NATHANIEL SOUTHGATE SHALER 



straps referred to in communication of 30th, but says he will 

 either replace them with money or other straps." Still another 

 bears the question: "What is the cost of straps?" Mr. Shaler 

 himself writes to H. W. Howgate, War Office : 



Sir: The straps referred to in your favor of the 30th, which the mail 

 has just brought to me, were loaned by your office to the surveyor sent to 

 your office to bring to my camp certain barometers, etc. At the time I sup- 

 posed that they were included with the instruments, for which I gave receipt, 

 and which have since been accounted for. I am now unable to identify them 

 in the property of the Kentucky Survey and must ask you to allow me to 

 give you an equivalent in money or in other straps made according to your 

 orders in Washington. I regret this mischance, but in my little survey there 

 is no means for keeping a careful account of small items of property; the 

 state having failed to provide me with even a single clerk. 



Very respectfully, N. S. SHALER, 



Director of the Survey of Kentucky. 



And at last came the first endorsement : 



WASHINGTON, D. C., Aug. 9, 1877. 

 War Department, Office Chief Signal Officer. 



Respectfully return to Prof. N. S. Shaler, with the information that the 

 cost of these straps to the Service is $3.00 each. 



H. W. HOWGATE. 



The extracts below from other letters written by Mr. Shaler 

 at different periods while in charge of the Survey, furnish a clue 

 to his undertakings and indirectly to his opinions upon many 

 subjects. 



FRANKFORT, Aug. 22nd, '73. 



... I wrote you yesterday and telegraphed. I now with sleepy eyes will 

 try and give you a word about the day which has gone. I slept at home. They 

 are all well, and the house is cool and charming. ... I arose at 4 A. M. to 

 take train for Lexington; came at 1.40 to Frankfort. Saw the Governor, a 

 plain, blunt man, but seems direct and satisfactory. He says the Legisla- 

 ture is in a humor for work and will give the money necessary for its doing. 

 I am better pleased with Kentucky than with Ohio ; the surface is beautiful, 

 horses charming, ditto cows, men able-bodied, women often have a high- 

 bred air. ... It is very hot stifling, old-fashioned heat. The street is 



