5 met by those to whom it was addressed; and in many cases voluntary contributions of great labor and value have been added. Two most valued and helpful correspondents have died while the work was in progress: his Excellency, William A. Howard, Governor of Dakota, and Hon. Alfred Gray, Secretary of the Kansas State Board of Agriculture. Of the living, the warm and hearty thanks of the writer are due to his Excellency, Gen. John C. Fremont, Governor of Arizona, for valuable information relative to that Territory; to Hon. W. H. H. Beadle, of Yankton, Dakota, Superintendent of Public Instruction of Dakota, for much information and valuable memoranda in regard to Southeastern Dakota and the Black Hills; to J. B. Power, Esq., of St. Paul, Minnesota, for a valuable essay, and many important documents in regard to Montana and Dakota; to H. H. Young, Esq., Secretary of Minnesota Board of Emigration, for documents, etc., relative to Minnesota; to Hon. Andrew McKinley, of St. Louis, President of Missouri State Board of Immigration, for letters and valuable documents; to his Excellency, Albinus Nance, Governor of Nebraska, for many documents; to his Excellency, J. P. St. John, Governor of Kansas, and J. K. Hudson, Esq., Mr. Gray's successor as Secretary of the Board of Agriculture of that State, for documents; to Robert E. Strahorn, Esq., of Omaha, for valuable documents and descriptions; to A. L. Webber, Esq., of Hot Springs, and to United States Senator A. H. Garland, for aid in regard to Arkansas; to A. L. Stokes, Esq., of Chicago, for valuable documents in regard to Oregon; to Edward J. Brockett, of Orange, N. J., for many valuable historical and descriptive works; to Charles C. Savage, Esq., of Brooklyn, for valuable documents and information concerning Colorado; to Gen. N. A. Miles, U. S. A., for official reports of the exploration of the Yellowstone region; and especially to Rev. Wayland Hoyt, D. D., of Brooklyn, for his invaluable aid in regard to Montana and the Yellowstone Park. There may be others whose aid ought to be acknowledged, but whose names are not now recalled. If so, they will please accept the grateful thanks of one whose memory of names is less tenacious than of loving deeds.
In the hope that this book may contribute to the honor and glory of our be loved country, both at home and abroad, the writer subscribes himself the public's most humble servant. L. P. B.
BROOKLYN, February, 1881.