
          Prof. [Prof] J. [John] Torrey, Princeton, N.J. [New Jersey]


 Dear Sir,


 I received yesterday from my friend Col. [Colonel] Peire
 of N. [New] Orleans, a letter advising me that he had heard his son, Alfred P. [Peire],
 a pupil of Princeton College, had left that institution for cause of sickness
 and was lying sick at one of our hotels Mr Peire requests [me] very
 particularly to loock [look out?] for his son and to have him properly attended [?]


 I have called at our principal hotels & boarding houses
 without finding him; and I begin to suspect that the rumor that reached
 his father is incorrect and the young man may still be in Princeton,
 in good health and attending to his studies.


 It is with the view to ascertian this fact that I, now, 
 take the liberty to write to you, Be so good my, dear sir, to inform
 me whether young Alfred Peire is in Princeton, or, should he have
 left your institution, you may probably know from some of his 
 school mates what has become of him, or where I could find him in
 this city. A prompt answer from you, will be gratefully
 received, as it will permit me to do some thing for him, if needed,
 and to relieve his family from their great anxiety. In the 
 mean time, you will oblige me to let me know something
 about his conduct & progress (confidentially) that I may answer
 this question addressed to me by his father.


 Excuse, my dear sir, the trouble I give
 you & believe me very respectfully


 Your Servt [Servant] & friend


 E. [Elias] Durand


 Philad. [Philadelphia] April 7th 1847 
        