
          I am beginning to feel somewhat unpleasant about my Fern
Book, owing to the great noice [noise] that Mr D [Drayton] Captn [Captain] Wilkes and theLiby [Library] Committee
have made in regard to it, I had a very earnest talk with the Captn [Captain]
a few days ago in relation thereto, and I feel quite satisfied that he had seen 
the letter which you sent to Mr Drayton, he stated also that the Liby [Library] Commttee [Committee] 
were decided upon having my English specific Character to follow its 
Latin translation. Within these last few days I have had sent to me from Phila [Philadelphia]
by Mr D. [Drayton] a number of proof sheets of the work, in which both the Latin and 
English Specific Charters [Characters] are given (though by an error some of them 
have been omitted) and it is very likely that Mr D. [Drayton] has forwarded to you 
a similar number of proofs, if so, pray give me your opinion with the 
usual candour as to how the work in this [added: shape] is like to [be] recd [received] by the Scientific 
world. It would have been pleasing for us to have gone on our own 
way and completed the work, when [crossed out: illegible] [added: no] difficulty I think would have 
arisen in relation to [crossed out: the credit][added: giving you credit] for the labour and time you have so 
freely bestowed in bringing my Mss. [Manuscript] in proper shape, and I am glad to 
find that you still intend to aid me with your advice and helping hand nevertheless 
the breaking in the Liby [Library] Commttee [Committee] on our plans: and it appears to 
me that the only way left for me to appear right before the world, is to 
state distinctly in the Preface the actions of the Committee in relation to the arrangement of the subject matter of the works and in this I have nothing to 
fear, having all along [added: acted] in a straight forward manner towards 
all parties concerned, and intend to doing so to the end.

Drayton will be here in a few days, and I will learn what is 
meant to be effected by the proofs sent on, as no note came 
with the packet.

The box of Cacti came safe to hand, and I was quite 
surprised to find the specimens in such good condition after 
being so long confined; there appears to be 5 species in all, 2 Mammallaria,
2 Cereus and 1 Echinocactus; many thanks to you for
        