
          them, and I am doing my best to get out some of our 
Institutes on [added: Public] funds, means sufficient to support a Collection 
of plants for the Botanist as well as for our Garden here, and you 
can assist me very much in this work, and you might do it in 
the following way; A. J. Downing Esq., Newburgh, N.Y. Editor of the 
Horticulturist, [crossed out: illegible] through the instrumentality of others and myself, has 
been invited by President Fillmore, through the Commissioner of Public 
Buildings, to lay down a general ground plan for the improvement of the 
Public Squares here, and in a short time he will be on to report to the 
proper authorities; he was here about a month ago and expressed an 
earnest desire to see collected together at Washington all the hardy 
trees and plants from the N. [North] West regions, Now my good
Sir could you not find time to write him a few lines in relation to 
this affair of interest to all of us, as to how it might be carried out
through his influence combined with yours, in which I shall help, 
by consulting with Mr D. [Drayton] when he comes on here.

I have not yet got all our Greenhouse finished, and for 
want of proper shelter our collection of plants [crossed out: illegible][added: is] beginning to look 
bad.

Nothing would give me greater pleasure than the 
reception of a letter from my esteemed young friend Master
Herbert, and you will please to tell him that, whether he 
condescends to write me or not, that I have got some nice things 
in the shape of plants &c &c which I intend sending him next 
spring.

Please to except my warm regards for yourself and
family, and believe to remain

My dear Sir, Yours very truly

Wm [William] D. Brackenridge.

Please write soon, look on 
cover for Captn [Captain] S. address 
        