
          Ansd. [Answered] Decer [December] 15th                                       


 Middletown Decbr 9th 1836.


 My Dear friend


 You enquire of me in your letter of the 3rd respecting
 Herbarium paper. I therefore send you a sample on which
 I now write. This paper was made some time ago to my
 order. It was with much urging I at length induced
 Mr. Warren Coles to undertake the job. I was well satisified
 with the material. Indeed he made a better paper than I expected
 for $6, though he tells me it was worth $7.


 Yesterday I visited the paper mill to induce Mr C [Coles] to make
 10 reams for the Lyceum. I found him reluctant to
 undertake its manufacture. He will however when he receives
 your order, attend to it.  Mr C [Coles] is a fair dealing man, and
 will ask me more than it is worth,  and will do it rather to
 oblige than caring for the job.  It being so much more  profitable
 to make [thinner?] paper and (The "sizing" done by hand they find to be troublesome)


 He cannot however afford it for less than $7.50, or perhaps $8.
 and will make an excellent paper as he assures me. 
 My paper weighed over 50 lbs the ream.


 I cannot send you a sample of what he purposes to make, but
 if you feel satisfied with the terms, and my recommendation
 as above write me or him, and the business will be attended 
 to at once.  Any delay will prevent its being made this
 winter.


 I urged the importance of the firmness of the paper, and how desirable to
 have it white. He showed me samples to convince me how much
 the required "sizing" gives to the yellowness. To give the paper
 the greatest firmness he will use Canvass (or sail cloth) for the "stock"
 owing to the dimensions of the required sheet, Mr Cole said he could not
 make it (of that size) this objection I obviated by proposing it being
 made on half sheets of 24 by 18. Will this do equally well?
 I presume it will. The dimensions named by you were 12 inches
 by 18. You must be fully aware that a sheet of this size, will require to be
 much thicker than your paper!  Indeed firmness of texture, and thickness are
 of more importance in this case than a shade of colour.


 Yours truly
 J. Barratt


 To Professor J Torrey MD
 &c.


 I shall write you again in a few days 
 on other matters.


 [in left margin:]
 This is a quarter sheet of the same dimensions with your Herbarium.
 I purpose getting 3 or 4 reams made the reduce size that is the same
 as this paper. Should you like any made for yourself? This will be
 an excellent opportunity unless you are already supplied with all you require.
 Did you get a new supply of paper last summer? 


 I can send the paper by way of
 New Haven.
        