
          Washington, 300 Ninth St
 April 12 1858


 My Dear Doctor,


 I had been thinking for some time past
 by what means or under what cover of Excuse I 
 might address you for I take shame to myself
 in being so indolent to correspond & so seemingly
 forgetful of those who have been so active &
 energetic for me. You have solved this Gordian Knot
 for me & I hasten to reply to yours of the 8th rec'd [received]
 this morning and first amid the avalanche
 of renewals I remain I have the sole charge
 of the Chemical room & under the plea of Economy
 they will not at present give me any help. It 
 is very hard work for 6 hours a day but easily
 earned money taken altogether. There is no fear
 of my going out until this government goes out also
 as I came in on the [?] interest I was equally
 sorry for Schaffer's removal as you were but it
 was inevitable he was mentally unfitted for the mode
 of doing business in the way the law is construed this
 last few years & he made himself so unpopular with
 patent agents that they brought all their interest to
 play & succeeded against him. Entre nous
        