
          New Haven. May 25th, 1816

Dear friend,

What I am here about to communicate
to you was intended to be kept
a secret, until the object should be closed.
But I want your assistance, and must
ask it in strict confidence.

Doct. I. [Dr. Eli Ives] having received letters from
all parts of the states requesting him to
enlarge the plan of our book; he has
at length agreed with [Frederick] Pursh (who is now
travelling to the lakes) to assist us; and
the work will not appear till next winter. 
Then it will be in two large 8vo vols.
As soon as this was agreed on, I [commenced?]
a pocket book of this title

[column one]

A 
System of Botany 
For
The Northern States
In three parts

I.	The Grammar of Botany
II.	A System of Genera
III.	The essential characters of all
species in the Northern States;
with enlarged descriptions of
the Crytogamous plants.

[column two]
The price will be
one Dollar and 50
or 1.75 cents. You will
see it about the 1st
of July. I have about
half completed the
manuscript. Intend
to begin to print week
after next.
        