
          St Louis March 23rd 1848

My Dear Doctor

About two month ago I had the pleasure to
address a few line to you, especially about my [crossed out:Report] appendix
to Dr. Wislizenus'  Report. I have since learned from Dr W
that you gave my papers a hasty examination. I wish you
had more thoroughly used your critical judgement about
it. I have since got Col Emory's figures of Cacti, but
they are very unsatisfactory for a botanical examination, -
I have however attempted something like a description.

My wish at present is to interest you in Dr Josiah
Gregg's undertaking, who is at this momvent at Saltillo
and who as you know is an old traveller in Northern
Mexico, and who has lately taken up the study of natural
history and especially botany with a great deal of zeal
and will undoubtedly make valuable observations and
collections in those interesting and little known countries.
Dr Gregg desires the war department to afford him
the same facilities as were afforded to Fendler and
were tendered to Lindheimer, namely a free transportation
of his baggage, collections, instruments etc, especially
of the collections which can be done very easily as they would
amost always go with return trains, which are empty
for the greater part. It would enable Dr Gregg to
collect more largely, the advantage of which I need
not explain to you. The peace movements may
        