Letter from Alfred J. T. Taylor to Vilhjalmur Stefansson, 4 November 1921

^ Stefansson Arctic Ex ^

Nov. 4th, 1921.

V. Stefansson, Esq., c o Amer. Geographical Society, Broadway at 156th Street, New York, U.S.A.

My dear Stefansson,

Both Brown and I were delighted with your letter of August 13th, and we agree that your press dispatch in regard to the attack on the Vancouver City Hall is immeasurably funnier than the one in regard to the Eskimos bathing. Brown says he will give you a position on his staff any time you care to report.

By the way, did you ever hear from my friend, W. R. Brown of Berlin, N.H.? I have not heard from him for some time, and am wondering whether he has been ill.

I have made up my mind to come East between now and Christmas if I can possibly arrange it, so please let me know early what your movements are likely to be, so that I shall be sure to see you on ray journey.

The more I think about the Northern country, the more enthusiastic I am at the prospect of doing great things there, and it would not take very much to persuade me to devote the whole of my time to an enterprise that would develop the commercial possibilities of the Far North, and I don’t think that we would have very much difficulty in getting the necessary financial support, provided we can keep the thing reasonably free from politics. The subject fascinates me, and I want an opportunity soon of talking it over with you, for I don't feel conversant enough with the commercial possibilities to be able to work out a comprehensive scheme of finances.

V. Stefansson, Esq. -2- Nov. 4/21.

Have there been any new developments since I saw you in regard to the Hudson’s Bay reindeer proposition? What do you think will be the gross value of the present season’s work by Crawford and his men? Will this be represented entirely by furs, and what kind of furs are they likely to secure?

If there any reliable information that would lead one to believe that the mineral wealth in the Far North was worth serious attention? I have a friend named Searls, one of the most eminent of the younger geologists on this Coast, and an exceedingly brace man, who has been in most parts of the world, and would, I am sure, be encouraged to go into the North, if there was any reasonable possibility of finding precious minerals there in worth while quantities. He would certainly join our company if we desired him to.

How can I get hold of whatever volumes you have published of the reports of your last expeditions? I feel I would like to make a careful study of everything that you have written, and if you can put me in the channel to get this information as fast as it is possible, I shall be indebted to you.

Write soon again, and be sure and tell me where you are likely to be during the next thirty days.

Yours sincerely, AJTaylor

A JTT : W