
          Washington City, March 21st 1848.

Doctor J. Torrey

My dear Sir, Yours of the 16 inst [instant] came to hand yesterday;
With regard to the Copy of Raddi, which I ordered from Europe,
I would state; That the Copy was intended for myself, and not
for U. [Uncle] Sam; I had requested nearly a year ago, that a copy
of it should be purchased; Wanting the Book very much, and
not getting any satisfaction, I ordered one myself without
consulting Captn [Captain] Wilkes; So you will perceive my good
Sir, that  there was no "cross firing" in the affair.

I tolde Captn [Captain Wilkes] today that I had ordered a Copy; He
says that it is not right for me to purchase Books for Public
use, and thinks that if you would adopt [crossed out: illegible] my ordering of
the book, normally, as your act, and admit the Copy to be
sent on as ordered by me; that the Bills for both it and
Gaudichaud, could be presented, and when paid, the amount 
of my Bill to Mr Pennington to be refunded; That 
is my good Sir, if you agree to this arrangement, And
provided another Copy does not come to your order, 
which it may have been out of your power to countermand; 
In that case I shall have to keep my own
Copy, and not grumble; My object was to facilitate 
operations, a quality of character [crossed out: illegible] not much known
in these quarters. With regard to the Fern work
        