64 EARLY UNDERTAKINGS. [1837, 
TO JOHN F. TROWBRIDGE. 
New York, November 9, 1857. 
Dear Doctor, — Your letter and that of Mrs. T., 
dated November 7, reached me this afternoon, to which 
T 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. 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 
en al a 
