
          Recd. [Received] Sept. 29th
 Ansd [Answered] 28th


 Middletown Sept. 23 1836


 My Dear friend


 Your kind letter of July 26th was duly received
 and I had intended to have written you in reply and now
 wonder how so much time has elapsed without my so doing
 but I purposed visiting the City but have as often been
 prevented. I have been very hard at work this season
 and want a few days recreation in the City and up the North
 Rivers.  I have dried many good plants and have
 a considerable number of Forest trees if your collection for
 Mirbel [Charles-François Brisseau de Mirbel] is not already completed you may have the
 picking out of three good sized bundles if you
 desire it, of which inform me. I have besides
 studied the genus Solidago and have made and
 [glued?] on new paper a very fine set that would delight
 you not a little! It only wants collating with the
 Herbarium of Sir Jos. [Joseph] Banks. Would you like to send it
 to London? I have a fine duplicate set for you!
 and will any time loan you mine if you desire it
 Last evening I received a letter dated Philadelphia
 from my friend the Rev Walter Colton of U S Navy
 informing me of having recommended me as a fit person
 to go out with the Expedition to the South Sea, as a 
 Botanist, Mineralogist, Geologist &c. and as possessing an
 extensive aquaintance [acquaintance] with Natural History, &c. 
 The Secretary informed Mr C that "if I would like to go he
 thought he could find me a situation in which my
 genius and aptitude would be consulted."

        