1850 TO 1865 259 



contain an article which I have just finished now that the Exploring 

 Expedition has fallen through we must turn our attention to some- 

 thing else 



I am unconditionally discharged from that business, and the 

 only civil letter Wilkes ever wrote to me conveyed that information, 

 I shall publish nothing relative to Peak's book for at least a 

 year ... I am about commencing a paper in which I intend 

 to get together everything ornithological by Americans, probably 

 commencing with Bartram, a few of whose descriptions are good and 

 entitle him to priority of name-next Ord whose principal paper of a 

 nomenclatorial character is in an appendix to an edition of Guthrie's 

 Geography in which he names a large number of birds for the first 

 time, but unfortunately describes very few; he refers however to 

 several sufficient descriptions amongst which is Lewis & Clarke's 

 description of a new swan which he, Ord, names Cygnus Columbianus 

 and which is very probably Sharpless' C. americanus & has priority- 

 next Wilson Audubon Rafinesque Giraud and Peale if Wilson 

 will bear my expenses and lend me books I shall come to Washing- 

 ton and examine the collection as well as I can. 



I am entirely composed about the Expedition business quite 

 recovered my equanimity, as you will probably think when you see 

 the foolish paper I have written for Stephens Comic all the papers 

 in that great work which are written by me will have the initial C. 

 to the end of them. 



I am now sure enough over head and ears in literary and scien- 

 tific engagements Webber (old Hicks the guide) and I are about 

 undertaking wonderful things you will see- 

 Please inform me the address of Mrs. Townsend. 



Ever yours, 



JOHN CASSIN 



f 



Tell me soon about the ms. Fissirostres and Tenuirostres. 



This paper which I propose writing about Bartram and others 

 will be rather long it might do for your Smithsonian Contributions 

 I have commenced it 



Any more California birds ? Beesley who accompanied poor Gam- 

 bel has returned within a day or two-I have not seen him Heerman 

 is expected home shortly Charles Ashmead is also expected soon. 



