
                                                       West-Chester, Penn  March 18. 1826


 Dear Sir,


      Your favor of the 23rd it was duly
 received; & I beg you to accept my thanks for the
 attention you paid to  the small package of specimens
 which I had forwarded. I was sensible that they
 were so imperfect you would not be able to deter-
 mine them satisfactorily, unless they were very
 familiar to you: but I thought I would take the
 liberty to trouble you with them, as an opportunity
 then offered.  The Asters are a horrible genus for
 a [Tyro?] to get engaged in; & the Eupatoriums are not
 a great deal better.  I think it a great [d...?]
 now in American Botany, to have Monographs
 of several of the most difficult families; and I
 am not without a hope of seeing some, from 
 Mr. Schwinnitz & yourself.  After what you have
 done with the Carices, I cannot but feel sanguine
 on this [deed?].  That work has charmed me with a
 genus which heretofore was, repulsive.  The
 Monograph of the Violas, also by Mr. Schwinnitz is a
 delightful performance.  If we only had similar
 works on our genera, Aster, Eupatorium, Hedysa-
 rum, Solidago, [Asclipias?],  & a few others, the 
 study of our plants would become as easy as it
 is agreeable. - But it is not my intention
 to annoy at this time, & interfere with your more im-
 portant pursuits, with a long letter on the
 interests of the science.  My object at present
 is to thank you for your past favors, & to solicit
 one additional, if convenient for you to grant it,

        