No. 151.] 239 



He passed the last winter in the North, for the express purpose of 

 making additions to his valuable cabinet of ornithology, and was so 

 successful as to have procured numerous specimens which were set up 

 in the best manner, and brought safely to Portland. 



It was during his absence, and while making explorations on the 

 River St. Mary, that the idea occurred to him, of the establishment 

 of a garden in Eastern Florida, and I received several letters from 

 him on that subject, before and after his return. 



You will recollect, that during the session of the Convention of far- 

 mers and horticulturists, in October, I referred to the valuable ser- 

 vices which Doctor Mitchell had rendered to his country, as a natu- 

 ralist, and the measures he had taken, as well as those which he con- 

 sidered it important should be adopted by the government and the 

 .patriotic cultivators of the soil throughout the Union, for the founda- 

 tion of a garden of acclimation; and it is also proper to state that 

 he has corresponded with a number of the most intelligent gentlemen 

 in several of the southern states, on this very interesting and impor- 

 tant subject, and has received assurances of their cordial co-operation. 

 General Clinch, who commanded our military forces in Florida, for 

 a number of years, and now resides in Georgia, not only fully ap- 

 proves of the plan, but is confident of the immense advantages which 

 will result from its being carried into effect. 



General Clinch is one of those intelligent, liberal, and warm-heart- 

 ed patriots, who looks far into the future, and has a sanguine belief 

 in the grand destinies of the United States, and is ever ready to aid 

 in promoting the prosperity of his country. 



Confident that the American Institute will cheerfully and efficient- 

 ly use its influence in a manner that will merit the gratitude of the 

 present and future generations, I shall await the result of the efforts 

 it has determined to make, in the full belief that they will be crown- 

 ed with success. 



Very respectfully, your most obedient servant, 



H. A. S. DEARBORN. 

 T. B. Wakeman, Esq., Corresponding Secretary 



of the American Institute of JYew-York, 



