
          October 12 1853


 My Dear Dr. Torrey


 I wrote you some day
 ago inquiring on behalf of the
 public printer, whether you could 
 not send on the botanical
 [mss?] for Woodhouse Reports. As
 this letter had probably miscarried.
 I write again at Mr. Smeters
 earnest request.  The report of
 Capt. Sitgreaves is in type, to a considerable
  extent; now in the report 
 by Dr. Woodhouse on the Mammalia
 they are going steadily through
 and before many weeks will
 be ready to take up the botany 
 and I fear that unless this
 is in hand then they will
 omit it entirely.


 Will you not let me have
 some expression of your views and
 desires in regard to the botanical 
 collections of the different 
 exploring parties. Will you have
 time with your new office to take
 up the consideration and examination
        