ee eee 
ET. 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- 
tifie corps will consist of several persons, in different 
departments of science, and the persons who will prob- 
