198 TIMEHRI. 
in Chicago, and after I had seen somewhat of things in general, so as 
to have something definite to communicate. I wanted also to be able 
to state that our exhibits had arrived: but as up to the present they 
have not come to hand, and as time slips away very quickly, it seems — 
better after all to send if only a short letter to let you know how — 
matters have been arranged, and what is going on. Another ma‘ er ts 
that delayed my writing to you officially was that Prof. Putnam, the — 
Chief of the Department of Ethnology, has from day to day promised — 
to let me have a line stating that the Exposition authorities would bear _ 
all expenses in connection with the board and iodging of wheel 
Indians were sent up during the time that they were on Exhibition in é 
Chicago. I have his definite verbal statement before many witnesses 
- to that effeét, but I told him I shou!d like to have a written statement, — 
so that our people in British Guiana might feel safe in the matter. He — i 
is however so busy that he has not yet written, tho’ he has shewn me a 4 
draft of the letter, which no doubt, will reach me in a day or two. x ‘ 
In order that the Society and the Exhibition Committee may be i in. a . 
possession of the whole, 1 had perhaps better recapitulate my move- — na 
ments from the beginning—I may state that I have already written to ’ 
report to the Government the substance of what | am here stating. 
On arriving in Trinidad, I found the s.s. Alps starting within a few 
days for New York, and as by telegram to Barbados, I found thatit 
was uncertain what steamers there would be there even after the time — ; 
fixed for the departure of the Alps, I took passage from Trinidad, and 
reached New York two days before the Taymouth Castle with our 
exhibits was due at St. John’s. ys “" 
In New York, I made arrangements with Maitland and Phelps & Co., — 
as to the charge of our funds so that I could draw on them by cheque, 
as Commissioner for British Guiana, wherever I might be: saw Messrs, 
Seibreicht and Wadley, the New York and Trinidad Florists, and made 
preliminary arrangements for some plants for decorative purposes; and 2 
spent some time in purchasing a few items of clothing, etc., forthe — 
Indian with me, rendered necessary by the very severe weather which 
prevailed when we landed, As an instance of the care to be exercised 
I might state that in Chicago when we arrived, the temperature was 52 
degs. below freezing point, and that three days after there was the m 
heaviest fall of snow which had been known since 1885. - 
From New York, I went to Boston where a good deal of our taxider- _ 
mic werk is being done by the Frank Blake Webster Company and] 
