
          Northampton Oct. 5th 1817

Dear Friend

In a letter to Bigelow I told him I
was sorry the proposed system of botany was so limited
a plan; only taking in New England. I added that
I beieved you and Doct. Eddy had contemplated publishing
the botany of the Northern States etc. I his answer,
he says that he approves of a multitude of
local works on Natural history. [That boat?] is a man
of great wealth and cares nothing about the expense
or profit of the work etc. He says he had expected 
that Muhlenburg's [Lancster?] would include
all the plants of the middle states etc.

I want your catalog by the sheet, as fast as
it comes out. But you known common botanists
here will think it not whorthwhile to purchase it.
Doct. David Hunt wants a copy. Professor Davey
of Williams College, I presume, would sell one 
dozen. He is remarkably accurate in his accounts
and always sells books for Gen. Howe of N. Haven.
I have o book for species of mosses. Anybody
can find out the genera by [?] manual. Of lichens
I know you have the [added: [?] lacunosa] Parmelia hebacea and
[?]. You have also Marchantia polymorpha. I can do nothing material toward your
[?] species.

When will Muhlenberg's [Lancaster?] be out? Could
I continue to get it by the sheet? I am glad Mr.
[C.S.] Rafinesque has not set you all [wild?] Why cannot 
he give up that foolish [?] foolery
which leads him to treat Americans like half-
taught schoolboys? He may be assured, he will never
succeed in this way. There are many learned me in 
New England. All [added: begin to] call him the suffering egotist
already. He will soon become [added: the butt] of ridicule and thus 

        