
          Albany. Feb 20th 1819

Dear friend,

I send you a Gazette, that you may know
what I am about [In the beginning of the 3d page]

I concluded to remain here for several reasons.
1st A considerable proportion of the Senators and representatives
have subscribed; so that it will be a
tolerable profitable course.
2nd I have a good opportunity to spread a taste for
science; as I shall now have students in most of the counties in the state.
3d I shall now have collections of natural substances
over most of the state.
4th I shall secure the friendship of many influential
men.

According to your statement of the 16th with the
Mississippi expedition is [added: to be] an illiberal farce. Probably
the naturalists are to be considered like private soldiers
to fight for the honor of Maj. Long. I presume
they will receive a compliment like this. "I acknowledge 
myself somewhat indebted to several gentlemen, 
who assisted me in picking up weeds and stones,
and in catching bugs."[crossed out: ?] It exactly in character.
I was astonished that politicians should be so liberal
as you at first represented. No, go not one step
with them upon any such disgraceful illiberal
terms.

I am very glad you are engaged in analyzing the
strontium, boyntes, Schoharieite, or whatever it may turn
out to be. I am glad you intend to publish it in Silliman's
journal. I hope you have seen the history of it,
as published in Webster's Gazette, and reprinted in some
of the N. York papers last November. The account in the
Monthly Magazine by Pomeroy is very imperfect.
        