
          No. 1567  Smithsonian Institution
 Washington, D.C. December 24 1857


 Dear Dr.


 When you wrote about Mr. 
 Hogg and his intention to form
 the La Plata expedition, if possible,
 I could give no information about
 the chances. I now hear
 that the party will start early
 in January (about the 5' perhaps)
 in sailing vessel from Rosario
 about 500 miles above Buenos
 Ayres [Aires]. The only situation that
 could by any possibility be procurable
 by Mr. Hogg would be
 that of Hospital Steward, the 
 duties of which would be merely
 nominal I presume. The pay
 would be about 24 dollars per
 month, and the party would
 of course be required to mess
 with the men. These will
 be about 15 in number, and 
 of picked material.


 I wish you would see
 Mr. Hogg at once and ascertain

        