40 BOTANY. 
of the previous Commissioner. His extraordinarily abrupt dis- 
missal upon the incoming of the present Commissioner, following 
a course of vexatious treatment to which, he states, he was sub- 
jected by his Chief Clerk, does not seem calculated to win the 
confidence of scientific men in the present administration of a 
department in which they naturally feel much interest. 
Very respectfully yours, 
Asa Gray. 
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTU j 
Washington, D. C., September i 1811. 
Hon. F. Warts, Commissioner of Agriculture. 
Sir :—In order to enable me to comply strictly with the regulations of — 
this Department in regard to ordinary correspondence in connexion with 
my official duties as botanist, I respectfully ask to be furnished with 
written instructions on the following points. 1st. Should letters ad- 
dressed to me personally, as botanist of the department, imparting or re- 
. questing information on botanical subjects, be answ and signed by 
Having heretofore exercised my o sinless in this matter, with 
due regard to the scientific jisit SE the department and to facilitate 
the business of my division, I desire to avoid any future misunderstand- 
ing a receiving definite written instructions on these points for my guid- 
ance Respectfully yours, 
. C. Parry, Botanist Agr. Dpt. 
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 
Washington, D. C., September 27, 1871. 
C-C KARRY, Esq., Washington, D. C. 
Sır :— Your services as botanist of this Department will not be yer: 
pica after this date. 
I am respectfully, 
FREDERICK Watts, Commissioner. — 
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, } 
Washington, D. C., September 27, 1871. 
Hon: Freperick Watts, Commissioner of Agriculture. 
Sır :— I have the honor to acknowledge your letter of this date inform- 
ing me that my “services as botanist of this Department will not be re- 
quired after this date,” for which I sincerely thank you. 
respectfully request that you will designate some person from the de- 
