
          And [Answered] June 25th 1842

Middletown Connecticut
Feby [February] 27th 1842.

My Dear Friend,

I have this morning looked over your last three letters, of Nov 11,
29th, & Jan 21st with the intention of answering such parts of them as may
require a few more words. I have indeed been most anxious to visit
you, that I might see what you, and Dr Gray were about. Last week
a lady in this City received a copy of your Botantical lectures lithographed
in a most beautiful manner, which I must look at again provided
the author cannot send me a copy. I was much struck with the 
beauty of the work as a whole, and should like to possess it.

I want to know what progress you are making with your Flora of N. [New] York.
If your time has been as constantly taken up as mine, this winter, you
cannot have made much progress. I know too, how little time you have
to spare for letter writing. (and have not troubled you with my correspondence.)

In the first place let me enquire what progress your artist has made
with the drawings of the willows. I had thought of sending you some
additional specimens to shew you the fruits, in higher perfection than 
what was sent, and could make some drawings of the flowers or rather
dissections. I should be glad to have a number of plates of each
laid aside for me, when struck off*. the colouring I would do for
you [added: as a sample] If however you do not find it absoutely necessary to
proceed rapidly, I could give you some aid and come down
for one day to look at you. I have the flowers and fruit of 
all the kinds of willow, which I preserved while examining and
studying the sections, which cost me a great amount of 
labour, to verify in all its details. The Drawings should exhibit
the aments in several stages, and on these your sets are very
good. There is more difficulty to preserve the mature capsule,
for soon it becomes expanded, it bursts open, from the great expansion
of the cotton within.

*and would gladly pay the extra expense.

[in margin]
the firm of Barrell and Mather is discontinued so I will advice you not to send any packages there.
At present send any thing to the care of Christopher Hubbard, 2 Liberty Street New York.

        