
          Recd Jany [January] 13, 1859


 Prof. John Torrey, N.Y.


 My dear Sir,


 I received, a few days ago, a letter from Dr. Hilgard,
 requesting me very particularly to write to you respecting
 the plates belonging to our publication of Lt. Williamson's
 plants, inserted in the fifth vol. [volume] of Reports. He tells me
 that he has not a single [crossed out : copy] set of them, and that he
 forwarded to you a five doll [dollar] note to procure for him as
 many sets of these plates as that sum could afford. Dr. H.
 regrets very much to have received neither plates nor any
 acknowledgement of the receipt of that money which he
 fears has not reached you. Please, my dear Sir, let
 me know something about it.


 I will be very happy to learn what you are now
 about in botanical matters? I heard from you, I  believe,
 that you were preparing a considerable work, to be published
 in a forthcoming volume of Reports, containing all
 the new plants from Lobeliaceae dow to Musci,

        