64 EARLY UNDERTAKINGS. [1837, 



TO JOHN F. TROWBRIDGE. 



NEW YORK, November 9, 1837. 



DEAR DOCTOR, Your letter and that of Mrs. T., 

 dated November 7, reached me this afternoon, to which 

 I hasten to reply, as I have been just on the point of 

 writing you for a week past, but have waited from day 

 to day, in the expectation of being able to afford you 

 more definite information than I could have done. It 

 is this, rather than want of time or inclination, that 

 often causes the delay in writing to my friends. The 

 intelligence which concerns us and interests our friends 

 comes in little by little, day by day. Thus, for in- 

 stance, the scientific corps were ordered to report here 

 to Commander Jones nearly three weeks ago, and they 

 have been here waiting for a long time, for the secre- 

 tary had neglected to inform Jones of the fact, and he 

 had come back to his home, and only returned here this 

 week. t However, we have now reported and shall take 

 possession of our quarters in a fortnight. They are 

 now undergoing some alterations. We have appointed 

 a caterer, advanced each $120, and our stores will now 

 be soon laid in. The purser of our squadron to-day 

 paid us four months' pay in advance, a very seasona- 

 ble assistance. My bills having been approved by 

 the government I am now paying them off, and must 

 see to getting all my materials packed up and sent to 

 the vessels, which are now lying at the navy yard, 

 Brooklyn. 



This will employ me for a day or two. It is impos- 

 sible even now to tell you the time of sailing with any 

 certainty. My opinion is that we shall get off about 

 the first or before the 10th of December. It is certain 

 that the ships and stores will not be ready within 



