
          Recd [Received] on my return from Washington
 March 8th [?] ans'd. March 9 - inclosing
 a letter to Mr. Seward.


 Baltimore Mar. 4. 1861


 My dear Sir


 I can only appeal to the necessity
 of the case as my excuse for once
 more troubling you in a mere personal matter.
 I would like you to do for me now what you
 did so efficiently from years ago when I
 was in danger as I am now of being superseded 
 by some one of the many political
 aspirants for my place. It seems pretty well 
 established that Mr. Seward will be in the
 new Cabinet but whether he is or not his 
 influence will be unbounded and with
 him the influence of you name and well
 known position in the scientific world will
 be conclusive in my favor. Or if you prefer
 your letter may be addressed officially to the 
 Sec. [Secretary] of the Treasury without naming him. Your
 opinion that the public interests in this matter
 may be safely intrusted [entrusted] to me or if you please
 that my experience of 23 years as a public
 teacher of Chemistry and Pharmacy together
 with 8 years familiar acquaintance with
        