1850 TO 1865 369 
successful, and led to the appointment of Kennicott as 
Chief of exploration, in that region. 
From Rev. S. S. Cutting to Spencer F. Baird. 
RocuesTer, Aug. 1, 1864. 
My bDEAR SPENCER, 
I learn from Judge Palmer immediately after you left that it had 
been determined to ask us to go to Montreal, and I telegraphed you 
to that effect at Given’s, Schenectady. If Mrs. Allin is correct, in 
a letter which Lizzie has received this morning, you spent the night, 
not at Schenectady, but at Saratoga, & in that case you probably did 
not receive the message. 
My present purpose is to reach the Valley on Friday. If it is 
not best to go to Montreal until Monday I shall probably spend the 
Sunday at Westport or thereabouts. 
Kennicott reached here on Saturday morning, & spent nearly 
the whole day at the Telegraph Office. His views throughout coin- 
cided with yours, & Mr. Sibley, who had been deeply impressed by 
your statements, became thoroughly converted. The truth is, 
Kennicott himself had never been made to understand the points 
concerning which his testimony was required. When the necessary 
explanations were made he sketched and described a route which 
Mr. Sibley said would save more than half the calculated expense. 
The route is from Ft. Garry to Edmonton & thence to the mouth of 
the Liard river, down the Mackenzie, &c. All which is required is 
the favour of the Hudson’s Bay Company. On the region west of the 
Rocky Mountains concerning which we are to inquire, K. poured 
very cold water. 
Yours 
S. S. Curtine. 
From Rev, S. S. Cutting to Spencer F. Baird. 
SaratToca Sprinecs, Aug. 24, 1864. 
Dear SPENCER, 
Our operations have given satisfaction to the gentlemen 
who commissioned us, and I think have modified their plans. Mr. 
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