
          Wms. [Williams] College Feb. 25th 1822.

Dear Sir,

After I have written you it occurred to me 
on looking at your letter that I might possibly throw
light on that box of plants sent to Mr. Pierce. And as
the spring may soon open, it may be important to get at 
the box, if it can be found. That box was directed to you
only, Mr. Pierce's name was not on it. Fearing it might 
be lost if directed to him, I directed it to you, and also
that you might get the package of plants, many of which 
I wished you to examine. The Stage driver tells me that 
he saw it put on board the Stream Boat, for the he 
carried it with a gentleman four miles down the river to
overtake the boat, & that he knows it was put on
board. So that I can not look for it any where but 
in N. [New] York. I hope, therefore, that if you enquire for 
it in your own name, you will find it. I fear, to be sure,
it is lost, that some rogue carried it from the boat. If 
you can not find it, I know not what I shall do in
the matter. I can hardly expect to get any plants to 
Mr. Pierce, it is a hopeless case.

And now I should like to know what you are
about this long winter. How comes on your Botany?
What is its state & progress? When is it to be in the press?
I have been asked what is its state, I knew not what
to say. Here I have been all frost, in doors as well as
out, all natl. hist. [natural history] is frozen up. The reception of a 
specimen of topaz rock a few days since, gave it a

        