
          Recd [Received] Oct 17                        
 Ansd [Answered] Dec. 3rd


 Middletown October 13th 1836.


 My Dear friend


 Your letters dated Septr 28th and of the
 12th inst [instant] have been received a few days after the first
 I had an interview with Mr Colton at Hartford who
 was to write to the Secretary of the Navy This prevented me
 coming to NY as I purposed, from my wish to see you
 and Mr Colton together.


 To your kind letter of yesterday, I will at once reply,
 though I have nothing of importance to communicate,
 not having had any intelligence of my prospect from
 the Secretary of the Navy.  A few since I saw
 a letter from Mr Dickerson to an officer of the Navy, who
 resides here and who has since gone on to Washington
 so that on his return (in a few days) I may be able to give
 you some particulars respecting matters there.
 I feel as much surprized as yourself that a Botanist
 should be named for the expedition that is totally
 unknown in the ranks of Science.


 At the time of writing you, I had no knowledge that 
 so much had been done by the Lyceum as regards
 the individual named, and recommended by that
 body, for the expedition.  Much less that
 Dr Gray was a Candidate!  I have several
 times been spoken to in the course of the summer to
 offer myself for the expedition, but had declined all
 thought of it till of late.  As your influence [added: together]
 with the Lyceum will secure Dr Gray one of the
 appointments in Botany, I may, should circumstances
 brighten, through your recommendation, get another
 scientific appointment perhas [perhaps] nominally different
 to the one before spoken of, for I do not really know
 what is required of me in that capacity!  If I cannot obtain
 another department it must rest so, provided it proves a good
 post departm [department] or what you please to call it.


 [in left margin:]
 PS. I wrote a hasty note to Dr Gray this Summer about Herbarium paper, have you had any more 
 made. I now can get you the article made here of any quality, but I will bring you
 samples for inspection. Mine proves of excellent quality, and am well pleased with it and
 now regret I did not set about the same years ago but could never induce a paper maker
 to undertake its manufacture before.

        