
          Washington City

Monday June 26th 1848.

Doctor Torrey.

My dear Sir,

Yours of the 21st came duly to hand, and I am
very happy indeed to think that good feeling and sound sense 
prevails among those, who if an arrangement is made about the Bota. [Botany]
of the Ex. [Exploring] Ex. [Expedition] will have the work to do; I lost no time in letting [letting] Capn [Captain]
Wilkes know that the Books had arrived, by handing him the Bill, 
and urging him to have it so arranged that they could be sent on
soon, being much wanted; To which he replied, that it would be attended
to, And I hope it will be so, as he starts for the South in a day or
two; But in case he should neglect, if you do not send them on,
secure them at least for future use, as they will be much wanted, 
particularly Gaudichaud for the Sandwich Islands plants.

I had no conversation with Dr G. [Gray] regarding condiserations to be received
by him for to prepare our Botany for the press; but we had a
considerable talk about the time it would take, and I think I
stated that with certain help, which was named, that he might be 
able to do it up in 3 years, but that is somewhat short of what 
it is likely to take, for it must be calculated upon, that a few
small stumbling blocks will roll in lthe way, but these can easily
be turned aside if we only keep united; And I hope Dr G. [Gray] will
not be rash, but begin fair by making a good bargain for himself,
and then to keep steadily onwards; As regards to my small part of the
        