
          Recd. [Received] Feby. [February] 29
Ansd. [Answered] March 3rd

Williams College Feb. 21, 1836

My dear Sir,

You well know that friends are of no use, unless they 
can some way or other serve us. The great benefit of having friends 
is that they may do us good. I know that benefits can often 
be reciprocated & the great benefits of society are that there may 
be reciprocity of action. As regards ourselves, however, tho I tacitly 
claim you a friend, I cannot see that favors can be mutual. I 
may to be sure be thankful, & that is some pay. I may make some 
equivalent, but probably can never render you to same kind 
of service that I am about to ask of you. I will tell you in 
plain Yankee English what I wish, & you may tell me in the same 
language if you like, whether it is consistent to grant my request,
& without offending me, whether your answer be yea or nay.
Will you give me a letter saying that I am a geologist & expressing 
a wish that I may be employed in [added: the] State Survey? Mr Van Rensellaer [Rensselaer]
of Albany I expect will, or may possibly recommend me to the Executive & 
I wish to show him that you are at least willing I should be so. The 
truth is, I am not a citizen of the State of N. York, & [added: I] expect jentlemen [gentlemen] of science
who are, will, & [added: they] ought to have [added: a] preference over foreigners. But let 
me take a chance with the rest. Permit me to say one thing is my own 
favor as a plea for my suit, & and that is, long service in the field. I
have visited all the great formations in the New England & Middle states & 
I think that in mineralogy I can be of essential service. In this business 
I am fully satisfied that those only ought to be employed who can make 
the most of the travels. They ought to know enough of botany to know a 
new plant when they see it, & the same may be said of zoology in its 
[various?] [?]. But let me not tire you. I want to have said 
something or other things but it is too late in the night, [already?] 12.
In conclusion let me assure you of one thing, that in case [crossed out: you should] I 
am successful, yourself & the Lyceum of N. York shall be no losers & 
next to the commonwealth you shall share in the collections made 
"inter nos."

Yours
very respectfully
E. Emmons

Prof. J. Torrey

[in margin]
If you see it is right & proper comply with my wish a letter may be addressed [on?]  
that I may [want?] as circumstances direct, & if convenient I should like it soon. Have you 
[crossed out: analyzed] made a [chemical?] examination of the fossil tree from Grindstone Island? I should like to give its component parts 
in a paper for Silliman's journal which is now ready.
        