
          I was glad to find you had been so very successful in 
making potassium though I must tell you unless my memory
in quantity fails me that I have been with Faraday when
he has made more. Still your success was great
considering the difficulty. On what terms could
distilled naptha be obtained should I be disposed to
undertake the experiments. If you have any left I greatly
wish you would furnish me with about 4 grams, or less
that is if it will not be considered an unreasonable favour
as I am rather desirous to exhibit it to my class.
the extra expenses of chemistry are such that Capt Partridge
on the present footing which he stands here that I cannot
say he has shewn that liberality towards my department
I had hoped for. the truth is Capt P [Partridge] has other objects in view
rather than carry the affairs of this academy to that perfection 
the public have expected. on Thursday evening he called a
meeting of the Citizens or rather subscribers &c and informed them
that he purposed, leaving the Institution [added: here] next Spring but
will continue his duties till that time. he said it could not
be expected he could continue his labours always.
This was a very unlooked for measure by the Citizen[Citizens] of this
place. They certainly would not have put up Buildings
to the cost of $33,000 merely for his experiments of 2 years and 
then leave. The Citizens fully thought he would continue
here. his object is now too apparent- he wants to get
up an institution in [crossed out: N Y] Harlem and offered to take charge
of it 5 years, and give 7 per cent for the interest of the money
he has now a project to go to Baltimore. The state have
granted a charter and the privilege of giving Diplomas so that
for what I know he may think of taking charge of a new
establishment there. his great object in this is to break
up West Point and he will exert all his power and influence
to accomplish it indirectly
        