
          "Mr. C said the Secretary informed him he wanted a man as a
 general vocabulist. He wants vocabularies embracing concise
 descriptions extending through most of the strange things enumerated
 in the expeditions such as marine plants, animals, shells,
 and all the wonders of the shores which are to be visited.
 If you wish for the situation only one thing will be
 necessary and that mainly for the sake of form 
 you want a letter from some man like Profr [Professor] Torrey
 to write the Secretary speaking of your general attainments
 and qualifications for the situation. I mention
 Torrey because he is known to the Secretary
 Write me to New York says Mr. Colton and address to the
 case of Leavitt Lord and Co.  I shall be there in a few
 days as my [crossed out: time is short] stay there will be short
 please write at once.  If you wish to go there is no
 time to be lost in making the application to the Secretary
 I will make it for you if you wish. Many applications
 are made every day for the situations, but the Secretary
 engaged to suspend the appointments till he should hear
 from me again."


 From the foregoing it is apparent a letter from you
 will gain me this desirable appointment.  I am personally
 acquainted with the Commander of the expedition and several
 of the officers and feel satisfied I should be delighted
 with the voyage.  So far you have ever proved
 yourself my best friend. If you deem me worthy
 of a letter to the Secretary of the Navy
 The Honble [Honorable] Mahlon Dickerson, you will most
 probably secure this appointment.


 I am Dear Sir very Faithfully 
 Yours
 J Barratt


 To Prof J Torrey MD [etc?]
 N York [New York]

        