
          Troy. Aug. 30th 1823

Dear John,

I received the specimen of 
your Flora, and the Prospectus. I pronounce
upon it firstly in round terms.
It is the best thing of its kind I ever
saw. Now for abatements &c.[etc.] I do not
like the title page of the prospectus.
Do let me make a title page for you,
and let me see your preface proof,
if you print them out last as you
ought to do. Are you not ashamed 
to talk to me about being "mad"
because you did not send me your
new species? You know I have no
other ambitions about botany, than
as it respects John Torrey's reutation.
Lewis C. Beck corrected proof for my
4th Ed. He has persuaded the Websters
to keep back that Ed. (though finished
3 months ago) for the sole purpose of
giving an alphabetical appendix to 
puff you sky high!!! L.C. Beck and I
are your only disinterested friends.

I wish I knew how far your work has gone
to its last [impression?], on account of localities.
I found the [Nesumbium Suteum?]
        