62 EARLY UNDERTAKINGS. [1836, 
ably be selected are mostly my personal friends : two 
of them at least having been recommended at my sug- 
gestion. The quarters offered us, and the accommoda- 
tions, will be ample and complete, and the pay will 
probably be considerable. We hope to obtain over 
$2500 per year. Had I room here I would write you 
further particulars, but this will do for the present. 
I ask whether, if everything is arranged in a satisfac- 
tory manner, you are willing and think it best that I 
should go. I think it not unlikely that the appoint- 
ments will be made during the present month. A 
few days ago I was offered the professorship of 
chemistry and natural history in the college at Jack- 
son, Louisiana (in the upper part of that State, near 
the Mississippi River), with a salary of $1500 per 
year. This I at once declined. I do not like the 
Southern States. 
Yours affectionately, A. GRAY. 
New York, November 21, 1836. 
No appointments are yet made in the scientific corps 
of the South Sea expedition. The difficulties as to 
the naval officers are only just settled. There are so 
many who wish to command that it is impossible to 
please them all. Captain Jones, the commander, is 
now in town, and I had the pleasure of seeing him this 
evening at the Astor hotel. He goes to Boston to- 
morrow to look after the two brigs fitting out at the 
navy yard there. 
The Secretary of the Navy has written me that 
when the appointments are made in the scientific 
corps, the chief naturalists will be called to Washing- 
ton for a few days, for the distribution of Juice 
among them. If the place for which I ask is given 
Pe ee 
ry 
; 
ad 
z | 
is 
. 
