
          devote to Hickory Nut Gap, 28 miles & back. Then visit 
 Black, if I meddle with this mountain at all. Then, 
 taking final leave of Asheville go into the mountains near 
 the head of French Broad, take up my quarters with a well
 known hunter, try to reach Pilot & other high mountains 
 which Buckley failed in reaching and which have never 
 been visited by a botanist, unless by Rugel; thence to 
 Table Rock, S. Car. [South Carolina] and by a round-about way to Franklin, 
 Macon Co. [County], [crossed out: and Clarksville] Tolula Falls, & Clarksville, 
 Georgia, where I shall try to sell out my horses and 
 wagon, & take stage for Athens, where I am in the way 
 to come by steam all the way to Princeton, via Augusta 
 & Charleston, which bid fair to be healthy enough to warrant 
 my passing through them without rashness. 


 It will be the 20th Oct. [October] ere I can hope to take 
 you by the hand. Truly welcome are the newspapers you 
 have kindly sent: but I hope for more by the next 
 mail, for I have none later than the middle of Septr [September]. 


 I never have been so hurried, and had so little time 
 to write, but shall have the more to tell when I reach 
 you, if it please Providence. Excuse the chirography 
 also, for pen & ink are wretched and my hands 
 sore. Aster Curtisii abounds and is very showy. 
 A. [Aster] Elliottii takes here the place of A. [Aster] Puniceus. 
 I have found A. [Aster] mirabilis. 


 Love to all, most warmly. Dont fail to mention 
 me to dear Herbert. Affectionately Yours


 A. [Asa] Gray

        