Geyer, Chas. A. 

 1842, December 6th 

 Arehsville, III. 



TRANSLATION 



Arensville, Morgan Co., III. December 6, 1842 



Dr. Geo. Engelnann 

 Dear Doctor, 



You will probably be angry since I have not appeared yet, but be sure that I am 

 even more angry about this Situation; the quick oncome of winter kept me prisoner 

 here before I had finished my preparations for my departure. After I had to stop 

 collecting plants, I started to collect nuts and acorns in order to try to make some- 

 thing out of this; I have 4 barreis and 12 packages, very good seeds. While Hoffmann 

 was in St. Louis, I made an excursion westwards along the Illinois & Sangaraon river, 

 however found these woods bare this year; did not see any oaks or nuts; during this 

 trip our tent caught fire and while trying to put it out, I burned my left hand so 

 that I could do hardly anything for the last 2 weeks, I also had difficulties to get 

 the barreis for my seeds and as soon as these were ready, it started to freeze. The 

 man who started to make them, came down with the fever. Today we have again thawing 

 weather and rain, but it began again to freeze. I shall be forced to leave my 

 collection with Hoff mann in Beardstown until the ships are sailing again to St. Louis. 

 Since there is nothing here for me and decency makes it imperative not to continue 

 to exploit any further the kindness and hospitality of these good people, especially 

 Dr. Engelbach's, I must leave. I must admit I don't know how to get to St. Louis; you 

 can imagine that I am very Short of clothes; never in my life was I in such an 

 embarrassing position. However, far be it from me to stay home in the future. Some of 

 the St. Louis Scrip Thaler which I have still left are not accepted here; nothing but 

 silver or gold. Should you be able to send me a draft you would help me out of an 

 incredible need. 



I wrote to Nicollet about two weeks ago, told him that you informed me of the 

 arrival of Sir William and asked him, because of our friendship, to ask his (Stuart 's) 

 help for me. Since a letter sent from here is not certain to arrive and this as any 

 other might have been lost, it might be good if you also would contact N. because of 

 me. N. can do everything he wants with Stuart. Perhaps he doesn't like to write to me 

 because then he would also have to write to you, for instance, and to many of his 

 other friends in St. Louis. Apart from the petty angry feelings I have about him, I 

 am really curious to know what he is doing now, whether he is in good health and well 



