
          I there managed to get together some fine on six thousand
 specimens of plants peculiar to the tierra Caliente, but
 when the Army moved towards cerro gords transportation
 was so limited, that I was obliged to leave behind my
 trunk and plants. I have never been able to find a
 trace of either since that time although they were
 left in the quartermasters department. Beside those
 sent you I have now some few hundred picked up
 in [?] places on the high lands near the city of
 Mexico & the mountains of Toluca & Real del Monte
 they may be interesting to you and are at your disposal
 if you wish them. I have also some specimens
 of Silver ore from Guanajuato & Real del Monte
 Some Lava Pumice & obsidian collected in the 
 crater of the Soleano of Ahuasco a short time
 before the City was evacuated. 


 You must not expect any great things, as all plants
 were hastily picked up & pressed in the best manner
 occasion offered. In making these expeditions we
 were always mounted & our movements so rapid
 in order to prevent surprise, that lent little time
 could be spent in making collections & still less for
 preserving them after made.


 I have no prospect of remaining in the service
 with my present rank, & I will not enter now at the
 bottom of those I have preceded during the war.
 Had the Army been increased by retaining were one
 Regt. I had the positive promise of the Surgeon General 
 that I should be surgeon of that Regt. & I well know
 that my name stands first on the list in the
 Department for such promotion.


 In reference to the [crossed out: Coast] Boundry survey it would 

        