
          Washington D.C.
 April 5th 1855.


 Dear Sir:


 I am daily expecting to 
 be called upon by the Secretary of 
 War to inform him with regard
 to the forward condition of the 
 reports in all the branches 
 of the explorations under my 
 charge, and of the time requisite
 to complete them - and I have, 
 therefore to request such information 
 with regard to the botanical illustrations 
 being prepared under your 
 direction as will enable me to 
 speak as definitely as possible in 
 regard to them. I am desirous of being 
 relieved from duty here as soon as 
 possible, which must depend, however, 
 much upon the arrangements
        