
          Apalachicola Jany [January] 5th 1838

 My Dear Sir,

 The pamphlets you were so kind to send reached
 me two days since, having been wrecked on the Bahamas returned
 to NY and reshipped. From a glance at their contents I found
 they contain valuable and interesting matter and I anticipate
 much pleasure whenever time permits me to peruse them.
 I have been out of town but once since August and have therefore
 been unable to comply with a promise made in a former letter
 to you;  indeed there has not been until recently any means of
 sending you anything if desired. The sabbath for want of the
 usual means of passing the day ought be appropriated to 
 my purpose but even this is denied me, my official duties
 requiring my personal attention during that day. I am
 however determined to make an effort in the spring and 
 collect for you at least a duplicate of that I sent to
 the much lamented Mr. Broom for a Mr. Cooper of NY whose address
 I do not know. I send you per Ship [Glide?] a keg containing
 a fish which is rare in these waters and possibly may prove
 interesting to you. The weather has been unusually cold this winter
 and nature has thrown off the accustomed decorations of the season.

 I remain very Respectfully
 Your obt [obedient] servant
 Geo. [George] F. Baltzell

 Dr. John Torrey
 New York
        