
          Western Union Telegraph Company,<span class='line-break'>
</span> Russian Extension.<span class='line-break'>
</span>

 Fort "St. Michaels" Russian America <span class='line-break'>
</span> Sept 26, 1866<span class='line-break'>
</span>

 Dear Doctor,<span class='line-break'>
</span>

 It is my melancholy duty to inform you of the <span class='line-break'>
</span> death of Major Robert Kennicott Director of the Chicago<span class='line-break'>
</span> Academy of sciences, of the Scientific Corps and Chief <span class='line-break'>
</span> of the Explorations in Russian America.<span class='line-break'>
</span>

 His death occurred May 31st 1866 at the Russian post<span class='line-break'>
</span> of "Nulato" in Russian America, of the heart disease <span class='line-break'>
</span> superinduced by excessive care and anxiety in relation <span class='line-break'>
</span> to his party and the explorations of which he had charge.<span class='line-break'>
</span>

 A man more honest, true and energetic, never lived<span class='line-break'>
</span> Devoted to Natural History, he died in seeking to advance <span class='line-break'>
</span> it the annuals of american science will bear witness<span class='line-break'>
</span> to his success. No one knew him but to love him<span class='line-break'>
</span> and his death leaves [to?] his friends a void never to be<span class='line-break'>
</span> filled. The work which he contemplated and <span class='line-break'>
</span> left unfinished, I have pledged myself to carry out<span class='line-break'>
</span> to the utmost extent of possibility.<span class='line-break'>
</span>

 If life and health are spared, the Natural History<span class='line-break'>
</span> notwithstanding this heavy loss, shall yet be a success<span class='line-break'>
</span> as far as I am competent to make it so.
        