
          matters, for having acted so prudently under such exacting
circumstances; and I do still hope that the difficulty in regard to my 
Book may be removed through your influence in combination with
Profr [Professor] Agassiz who I understand is to be in Washington soon on his way
to the Florida Keys - although at the same time there are doubts in my 
mind in regard to the Committee changing their opinion in this matter 
- on account of the peculiar way it has been brought before them;
for my part I have been trying to have an opportunity of talking
the matter with Mr Pearce, since his return to the City, but have
not yet found him at leisure, but the real truth of the matter
is, that no one [added: here] either in the Committee or out of it, knows any
thing at all about the nature of the matter contended for by us.

I am pleased to hear that you have - or are about
to get possession of the Salt-Lake plants; I find that by
playing our Cards right, that you can secure all
collections of the same kind that come this way. In
regard to these Salt Lake plants [added: I learned] that a certain individual
was after them, in order that he might describe and have them
published in the Smithson Transactions, but this same individual
had neither Books, Brains or Herbaria at his command to
effect such an end - Profr [Professor] Having had nothing to do in this
case.

I would like much to see Captn [Captain] W's [Wilkes'] letter.
I am very busy just now among the living plants- and have not 
much time to attend to Book making- in fact it is a kind of a 
cold water job. Please to write at first convenience, and tender
my kind regards to the members of your family and believe me Sir
to remain yours very respectfully Wm (William) D. Brackenridge.
        