
          Washington D.C. Dec [December] 20th 1850.

And Jan [January] 6th

Professor Jno [John] Torrey

My dear Sir,

Yours of the 9th and 17th were duly recd [received], 
and I would just say, that it was your turn to write, but would 
still farther remark, that with a friend I never stand on such 
points of etiquette when I have any thing of importance to communicate.

The collection of dry plants from the Salt Lake Valley, which you 
spoke of in your last, reached our City only yesterday, and the name 
of the Officer who conducted the Expedition to that region is Captn [Captain] H. [Howard]
Stansbury of the Topcal [Topographical] Engineers Corps. I am well acquainted with
his brother, who gave me a note of introduction to the Captn [Captain] on whom
I called yesterday morning and found him very clever and communicative, 
and during the course of conversation, I found that he does not yet 
know what disposition may be made by the Dept [Department] of his collections, but 
he thinks that a report of his Expedn [Expedition] would be published ina shape some
what like that of Col. [Colonel] Emmory's [Emory's] and Dr[?] Aberts, to embrace in like 
manner the collections of Nat. [Natural] History [illegible: brought?] in by him. The Captn [Captain] knows 
you well by reputation, and also what you did to assist Fremont and the
Gents [Gentlemen] above named. In introducing your name, I only did so incidentally 
as he appeared to have had you already in his Eye as the one that might 
help him, but hinted as much as if Col. [Colonel] Abert the Chief of the Topcal [Topographical] eng [Engineers]
Corps would have to be consulted in the matter; Now my good Sir you are 
well acquainted with Col. [Colonel] A. and I would advise you to drop him a 
note, and another to Captn [Captain] S. at as early a date as possible. The collection 
of Plants I did not see, but the Captn [Captain] S. invited me to call soon and 
have a look at them. I am enclined to think that there must be some 
good things, as a Naturalist accompanyed [accompanied] the Expedn [Expedition] but left
it at Salt Lake.
        