
          I believe I told you, that Beck and I found a
[spring?] of Epsom salts in my other letter. This
last discovery explains that. For though the
spring is 14 or 15 miles south of it, I presume it
is furnished with its salt from the same
rock. I am daily confirmed in the certainty
of the science of successive arrangement of strata.
I believe the study of this arrangement will
finally settle the business of mining upon the
sounder [added: scientific] principles.

Do write immediately. Also send that
likeness by some person you know, the next
boat. Direct it to be sent to Dr. Beck's at
the Albany academy. His family lives in the
academy. Can you get me a little patafrium
[without?] too much expense? I wish you [would?]
send me something on general zoology. Can
you get me Shore's lectures, if there is nothing
better? I recollect you got that work for me
from the Libra, when scoundrels held me in 
tow. I think it was in two volumes. I do
not mean the great work. Get me any thing,
which you think will answer my [?], if
the cost does not exceed 10 Dollars, and I will
return you the money and my thanks,  by the
next boat. Now do attend to all my requests,
for I shall soon be off to Vermont where I 
can get nothing. Can you send me a little
platina in the same package with the Smith's
likeness, the zoology, potassium &c.[etc.] and send all
by a boat this week! All expenses will be [?]
by remitted.

Yours,
Amos Eaton

[vertical note in left margin]
[drawing of finger pointing to the following note]
Send me no make-shift book, for my manuscript
compares that purpose. I think Shores [added: lectures] will also, if there is nothing better.
        