
          The batch of Mss. [Manuscript] now sent, was hurriedly overhauled by 
Dr [Doctor] Gray and myself, and he objected to my mode of citing 
species from Hook. Sp. Fil [Hooker's Species filicum] under that authors sub. genera.
and you will see where such references, and corrections of the same
were made; and should you concur in such corrections, then 
similar ones will have to be made in part of the Mss. [Manuscript] now
in your hands, Viz. in Danallia, Dicksonia and Lindsaea.

I have not seen proofs of the few sheets already sent 
by you to the Printer. But a few days ago I had a 
talk with Captain Wilkes in relation to the correction of the 
proofs of the whole Book: and his view of the matter is this: 
that you should have the correction of the whole from 
first to last, without giving me an opportunity of even seeing 
the Mss. [Manuscript] before it went to Press, or even the correction
of the second proof; he giving as his reasons for this, my 
being here in Washtn [Washington] and having so much to attend to, together
with your knowledge in such matters; To this latter 
I felt satisfied, but to the other sweeping cut off I objected
in strong terms, demanding to see the Mss. [Manuscript] before it 
went into the hand of the Printer, after you had looked 
over it, and also of correcting at least the second 
proof, in order to correct mistakes in references to authorities,
or any other inaccuracy which might have crept into 
the work, which you had not the means by you of
detecting: So I left him, without coming to any understanding 
in the matter; but have since seen Mr Drayton (to 
whom Captn [Captain] Wilkes no doubt had talked over the matter),
and in your absence, the following arrangement regarding the 
Proof, was agreed to, provided you concur. Viz. that the
        