
          Ivoy, March 26th 1836


 To Dr Torrey,


 Dear Friend,


 As ill health necessarily excludes me from even being a 
 "talked of" candidat for the proposed scientific survey of this 
 state, I claim the right  to give my opinions freely on a subject
 which most deeply interests me.


 You know Gov. Marcy was of Troy, and was
 Vice Preseident in our Lyceum. He has considerable taste for Natural
 Science, and possesses strong powers of mind. I think I 
 can confifently inform you of some matters, which you may wish
 to know.  You may recieve this somewhat confifentially, but not
 strictly so - Rather say, it is for you and your friends [added: as you may think fit to use it.]


 1. Gov. Marcy will not be under  the influence of party
 on the smallest possible degree in making the appointments.


 2 . It is his most earnest wish to have the investigations 
 of the Natural Hisotry of the State, made by persons
 most competent, and in the best possible manner. These
 two assertions I make from personal knowledge.


 3. Men of real science ought to be perfectly united
 in a determination to have it the most perfect survey ever
 made on earth. As the honor of the whole scientific corps is
 at stake upon it, private interest ought not to govern.


 4. Individual species in all the branches of zoology and
 of organized remains, are better understood by some individuals
 in the city of New York, than elsewhere in the state


 5. General view of the geology of the state is
        