JET. 25.] TO HIS FATHER. 61 



the islands of the South Pacific Ocean as a bota- 

 nist, in the exploring expedition now fitting out un- 

 der the orders of our government. I am anxious to 

 engage in this work, and I suppose may do so if I 

 choose, but I fear that the expedition, which, if well 

 appointed and conducted, may do much for the ad- 

 vancement of the good cause of science, may be so 

 marred by improper appointments as to render it un- 

 advisable for me to be connected with it. I therefore 

 at present can merely throw out the intimation that 

 I may possibly accompany the naval expedition which 

 is expected to sail early in the spring, and to spend 

 two years in the southern portions of the Pacific 

 Ocean. If so I hope to decide the matter in time to 

 procure many needed works, etc., from England and 

 France. I must here close by subscribing myself, 

 with the highest respect, 



Your obedient servant, ASA GRAY. 



TO HIS FATHER. 



NEW YORK, October 8, 1836. 



You may recollect that I intimated to you that there 

 was some probability of my changing my situation be- 

 fore a great while. Matters are now in such a state 

 that it becomes proper to inform you that I shall prob- 

 ably be offered the situation of botanist to the scien- 

 tific exploring expedition, now fitting out for the South 

 Sea by the United States government. This is to be 

 a large expedition, consisting of a frigate, two brigs, 

 a store-ship, and a schooner ; it is to be absent about 

 three years. It will sail possibly in the course of the 

 winter, but very probably not until spring. The scien- 

 tific corps will consist of several persons, in different 

 departments of science, and the persons who will prob- 



