
          Philadelphia Sept. 28 57 [1857]


 Prof. John Torrey, N.Y. [New York]


 My dear Sir,


 The set of plants collected in Whipple Pacific R.R. [Railroad]
 Survey was duly received about two months ago,
 and presented to the Academy as coming from you.
 This was indicated by the labels which, I thought, were
 in your handwriting and they were, at all events,
 owing [added : to] the favor of your indication to the Secretary of War.


 We are in frightful times in Philadelphia and I
 suspect you are not much better off in New York. How
 will this crisis terminate? God only knows.


 In the expectation that you are not much affected
 by it, not being engaged in importation or speculation business
 I remain, my dear Sir


 Very truly yours
 E. Durand

        