1850 TO 1865 321 



Can I in any wise help you or her? If so, let me. Were I King of 

 Health, surely no such affliction should over take you or yours. 

 Though it can do you but little service, it is grateful to me now to 

 assure you that my sincere sympathies are with you in whatever ills 

 may befall you, not less than in your happier contingencies. I hope 

 I have too vividly pictured the inroads of ill-health, and that at 

 least a more genial clime and a kindly sphere of influence may bring 

 healing on their wings. 



Now, my dear friend, I have scarcely a right to say to you be of 

 good cheer and take courage, come what will; yet I feel confident 

 that in like case such words from you would bring some comfort. I 

 would gladly learn how things really are with you and yours, but 

 cannot ask it now, when you are doubtless over-whelmed with work 

 and solicitude. Whether you are now in Washington or in some place 

 pleasanter for you I can hardly divine, but I hope for the latter and 

 best estate. 



I have watched the progress of S. I. affairs with interest, especially 

 in these latter days. I presume the course of empire is not yet run, 

 and that there are tumults and inquiries yet to come. But I have 

 no heart to mingle in these things now, and only think of your infi- 

 nitely deeper concern in that invalid, so dear and valued not to you 

 alone, but to others who at respectful distance wait and hope. It 

 would do me good to see you once again and testify face to face that 

 I am truly your friend. 



E. B. HUNT. 



From D. N. Couch, U. S. A., to Spencer F. Baird. 



FORT LEAVENWORTH, Nov. 16, 1854. 



. . . My information was chiefly from a young man who 

 accompanied me during a part of my tour in Northern Mexico, 

 formerly clerk in Berlandiere's office or apothecary shop. 



Dr. Louis Berlandiere, 21 a Swiss, arrived in Mexico from Switzer- 

 land in 1826, believed to have been sent out by a Scientific Society 

 for the purpose of collections in botany he was soon after appointed 

 a member of the Commission of Linits a Commission organized 



21 So spelled in original; the correct name is Berlandier. 



21 



