BLACKWELL FAMILY
ELIZABETH BLACKWELL

From Leffingwell, Albert [*(Leffingwell)]
Aurora, New York
Nov 23. 1846
My dear Madam,
Your very kind
note was duly received, but I have
been too overwhelmed with duties
incident to illness in my family,
and removal, to keep up with
my correspondence.
I am glad my pamphlet
"Does Science Need Secrecy?"
pleased you. I have sent copy
to your nephew as you suggested.
I am not an absolute

[*(H.B. Blackwell for W. Journal)]opponent of vivisection;
but I confess that its advocacy
just now seems so linked 
with mendacity as to cast
grave suspicion upon all
claims of utility.
We hope to pass a Bill
through Congress somewhat
restricting it in the District
of Columbia, but the opposition
to any measure of supervision
or inspection of laboratories is 
very strong, and may defeat 
us.  The Continental freedom
here prevails, and I am

afraid that to large measure, the
Continental cruelties are
constantly practiced.  There is
probably more vivisection in 
one or two cities of this country
than in all England. A lady in 
Chicago has recently 
given over £ 200,000 for promotion 
of "biological researches".
You see the immediate prospects
are not  bright. It is the Future 
we must look to.
Faithfully Yours
Albert Leffingwell

Dr. Eliz. Blackwell
Hastings