
          26


 Recd. [Received] March 21st.


 Ansd. [Answered] March 23


 Dearest Torrey


 Thank you heartily for your kind letter. I receive it in the midst
 of business & tho. I had better drop a line immediately in relation to one
 part of your informatn. I may be in NYork [New York] in April but I fear not before
 I have a catalogue of Coleopt. [Coleoptera] Insects (about 350 species) prepared for the 
 annals. If you want it [illegible] send it on immediately. They were gathered by myself
 while in NYork, & during the last fall & winter have been studied & determined
 there are perhaps 25 new species. Dr. Harris of Cambridge has compard. [compared] all my
 doubtful species with his & Mr. Hentz also Says collections all of which he has
 I shd [should] like if you think it wd [would] do for the Lyceum to insert it in the annals
 with respect to the Geological survey I shd [should] much like to take the zoology if
 you thot. [thought] there was any chance to get it. As to qualif[?] &c I presume
 I shd. [should] be as much [illegible] as most of the competition. The last 12 mos. [months] I have
 devoted to entomology & have made tolerable progress in it & as to drawing
 have rubbed up that not a little. I shd [should like to shew you some of my
 Butterflies & coleopt. of which I have figured 250 species. Dr. Harris
 who has seen them tells me (flattery?) that they are decidedly better
 than most of Say's & he never saw the 1/2 of what I have.
 Now all this I say with the office in view wh.  [which] you mention, if you
 think there is any probability of such a thing I should like if you
 wd. take it in hand. & with the other good friend of mine in the
 Lyceum units in an applicatn [application] [crossed out: for] to the governor. I think that we
 could be making a business of it get up a very creditable account
 of our natural riches. You wd [would] take the Botany of course.


 but I am obliged best of -- accept my sincerest & warmest
 regard Abrm. [Abraham] Halsey
 Hartf. [Hartford?] March 18 
 1826


  
        