
          West-Chester, Penna [Pennsylvania] July 16, 1825.

Dear Sir,

I had the pleasure, a few days since, to receive
yours of the 25th ult. [ultimo]. I was aware of your engagements,
during the examinations of the cadets; for I had the
honor, two years ago, to be one of the visitors to that institution,
and to witness the arduous duties of the Professors during
that service; and I therefore did not expect you to reply
to my former letter until a period of more leisure. But
to show you that I was not disposed to stand upon etiquette,
in our correspondence, I may remark, that about the middle 
of last month, I expected to have an opportunity to send
you a package of plants by a gentleman who talked of
going to West Point, and I accordingly prepared some, & wrote
you a letter: but the gentleman did not go, and my letter 
became obsolete; inasmuch as the package could not accompany 
it. This evening I received intelligence that three 
or four of my neighbors contemplated setting out tomorrow
morning from Albany, to take a machine for mowing grass
to Gen. Van Renssellaer [Rensselaer], of that place; and they inform 
me they intend to call at West Point, either going, or
returning. I thought the opportunity was too good to be
lost; and I accordingly set to work in putting up a
few plants for your inspection, & acceptance. Should
those gentlemen call to spend a day with you, during
their excursion, any little civility you might extend
towards them, in facilitating a view of the place
and the admirable system of government, &c. adopted there,
would be esteemed a favor by me, & would be gratefully
remembered by them. They are plain, diffident Chester
County farmers, & would feel at some loss how to
proceed in a visit to such a place; but being very respectable
men, a little attention to them would impress
them with advantageous opinion of the Institution
&, in some degree, aid in promoting the popularity of that
admirable school, which is so deservedly gaining on the
public esteem. If they should not find time to call at
West-Point, they have promised to leave the package
which I send with this, at all events; and if you
should feel any interest in the few plants herewith
transmitted, I shall be much gratified. Having such
short notice of the departure of the gentlemen, I have
been compelled to make a hurried selection. Agreeably to
your request, I have sent you all the Carices which
        