
          New York Sept. 1st 1848


 Dear Sir,


 I found the enclosed letter from a
 friend in the Surg. Gen Office on my return from Princeton
 it throws some little light upon the surveying
 expedition, and upon th chances in my favor.
 Dr Lawson (Surg. Gen.) will give me his favor. [Sir or Sean]
 Marcy I’m sure will, & whether I can bring any
 influence to bear upon Mr. Buchanan remains to 
 be seen. In regard to Emory I have learned
 since my arrival that the only competitor be
 may expect is Maj. GrahamJob Eng. he also
 is a relative of Mr Walker [crossout: s]. Dr Mower U.S.A.
 who is higher in the confidence of the department
 (ranking next the Serg Gen). Says that should a
 person be appointed from civil life, they will
 be induced to choose some one, who has
 science enough to take charge of certain branch,
 Botany for example, would it not be as
 well to mention that to have some knowledge
 of science in your letters to Col Emory, if you
 have not already sent it?


 Yours Most Truly
 M. B. Halsted


 Prof. John Torrey.
        