
          Near Tallahassee June 5th 1834


 Dear Sir, 


 Your respected favour of the 23rd March last came
 regularly to hand, and, like yourself, I must plead the pressure
 of my engagements for the delay of my answer. I am engaged
 in establishing a plantation in this country, and
 I can assure you that the business is no sinecure. Fond as 
 I am of botany, and numerous as the attractions to its 
 pursuit around me, I have been compelled during a great
 part of the time since I recieved your letter to turn my
 back on it, and to neglect the preparation of those plants
 and specimens you have requested. I have been six
 months absent from my family, and am now on the point 
 of setting out to rejoin them in North Carolina. But if I 
 should live to return to Florida, the pressure of my business
 will be less, and I promise to send you then both living and 
 dead specimens of every thing in this part of Florida that
 is likely to have sufficient interest. Should it be possible 
 for me to visit New York after reaching New Bern, I will 
 carry with me [added: the] few interesting specimens now in my herbarium. 


 I am most sincerely pleased to learn that you contemplate
 publishing a General Flora of North America, and 
 I will do all in my power to promote your object. If I might 
 offer any suggestions I would say that the work should be rendered as popular
 in its plan as may be practicable without departing from the 
 reign of science. For instance let each generic & specific term
        