I don’t think that I engaged to write an article, did I! I don’t think I am qualified to do it very well nor could I give the necessary time to it at present. I am in advanced convalescence but owing to professional obligations accumulating during my illness I could not justly do so. I suppose that you want to have the article underway with reference to the newspaper reports that Senator Stanford intends to have a {sensational} opening ceremony next Spring. He has not communicated this intention to us. In truth we have heard nothing from him for several months. Still the report is probably {well-founded}. I would advise you, if you think it important {to proceed}, to begin with an interview with Senator Stanford in Washington. If you then conclude to go on we can aid you in respect to drawings.

I think that I should add that there are difficulties in preparing an article at this time which I can explain only at some length and confidentially. I hope that you are to be in Washington, making {sure} of the Senate. If so, why should you not see the Senator yourself, explain your intentions and ask his advice? If you should find him in the right humor he would be pleased and you would afterwards understand the matter and the present situation much better than you could in any other way. You would find him a very interesting variety of man and would, perhaps, come to realize better than I could ever make you what I mean by difficulties. (The fact is that the University is not planned).

Yours Truly