
          Steilacoom Washington Terr'y [Territory]
 Dec. 12, 1854.


 Recd. [Received] Feby. [February] 11th.


 My Dear Doctor


 Your favor of March 23rd & "accompanying documents"
 as the papers attached to the [?] message are
 called, reached me only yesterday, having performed some
 of the circuitous journey, which form the shortest mail
 routes of the Florida government. I have during the past
 season assisted Dr. Suckley somewhat in his zoological
 collections, but not obtained many plants, although I
 was for some [crossed out: weeks] weeks in the mountains around
 Mt Rainier; but being engaged in surveying & much
 of the time on foot, I could not preserve specimens.
 My immediate neighborhood is not rich in plants,
 but there are however occasional opportunities of
 collecting, & now that at last I have a house of
 my own, I shall perhaps be better able to serve
 you. I have taken up my residence near Fort Steilacoom,
 in the neighborhood of Pugets Sound, and have
 a farm in embryo, but as much of my occupation
 consists in travelling with government parties, I am
 [crossed out: much] oftimes about than its interests require. So
 much the [?] chance however to collect. I will
 send the [crossed out: plant] name of the plant to the gentleman
 who found it & shall make him get me one for my
 door yard. I lost one quite extensive collection
 of plants which I made in [?] the plains by
        