
          Since my return I have been reviewing, rewriting, correcting 
and doing up some of the many blunders my Mss [Manuscript] contains. I wish 
we had been able to go over some more of it while together; 
but I shall try and profit as much as possible from the 
remarks and corrections you made, while I am copying that 
portion which we did not look over, and as soon as I get 
about 100 pages done, it is my intention to send it on to you; 
if I only were near to you I would get on like a Trooper!!

With regard to the works of Swartz's and Forster; I 
shall make the references from them as quick as possible, 
and return them without delay, and I [?] under great 
obligation to you, for the interest you take in myself 
and this work of mine.

I have not seen Captn [Captain] Wilkes for the last seven months, 
he is now in New York or Boston; and until I talk with him, I am 
unabl[e] to say whether a letter from you to Col [Colonel] Benton, would do 
me good or not, in relation to the Public Grounds affair, Col [Colonel] B. [Benton] & Captn [Captain] W. [Wilkes] are on bad terms, so caution is necessary, but I will 
let you know all, by & by.

I know very little about Mr. Coultas, he was 
only in our City a few days; but he appeared to be a 
very good hearted sort of a man, although rather a 
little visionary I thought in some things; and I do not 
know whether he has got capacity enough, and a sufficient
        