
          25 Buccleugh Place Edinburgh Novber [November] 9th 1820


 My dear Sir


 I return you my sincere thanks for 
 the Packet of Plants which I received perfectly safe a 
 few days ago. Very willingly do I enter upon a correspondence 
 with you & shall do all in my power to make my communications 
 as desirable to you as yours will be to me. 


 You must know however that I have not yet taken 
 my Doctors degree, having been interrupted in my studies 
 no less than 3 seasons by domestic occurrences, so that altho [although] 
 I began the study of Medicine above 5 years ago, I must 
 pass 2 more years in this University before I can pass my 
 examinations. I introduce all this Preamble, as my excuse, 
 in case my leisure during the abovementioned Period may 
 sometimes not second my wishes. 


 I have no doubt that in a short time Ameria will be 
 on a level with [crossed out: E] the Old World, she has the most ample 
 territory & the stimulus once given, will never be exhausted 
 how many botanical treasures have been brought to light 
 by American Naturalists within the last 5 or 6 years! I know 
 you are rich in Phaenogamous Plants but the greater field lies


 [cross writing] I suppose you keep a Catalogue of such plants as you send. 
 I shall receive your book [crossed out: vol.] with much pleasure. 
 I shall no doubt be much 
 interested in it. 
 Of such mosses as you have 
 ready access to, or can command
 it, I should like in 
 the wholesale that is, by 
 handfulls just as pulled 
 up & rolled in paper.
 (when the fructification is plentifull [plentiful]. 
 & in the same way 
 I will send ours to you 
 if you wish it. 
        