fact that my offer which was conceived in a generous spirit should have been designated by one of the members of your board as "ridiculous", & that I shall be compelled to report to the very generous gentleman whom I have the honor of representing that you have declined to consider it, & have refused to make any counter proposition. I am pleased, however, to be assured by two members of your board that should you yourselves decide to exhume these fossil remains & subsequently to offer them for sale, they will use their influence, if possible, to bring it about that the Carnegie Museum of Pittsburgh shall be allowed the first opportunity to obtain the specimen.