
          Recd. Dec. 


 City of Mexico October 24th 1847


 My Dear Sir,


 I with pleasure introduce to yourself and family
 Brigadier General Shields. An officer whose name and
 reputation you cannot fail to be familiar with he having
 taken an active part in the struggles on the Rio Grande as
 well as those from Vera Cruz to the Capital. You will
 find him an agreable and valuable acquanitance, his knowledge 
 of the country through which he has travelled, his
 familiarity with the language an people; and above all
 his high rank have given him opportunities which do not
 fall to the lot of everyone, for observing the civil and 
 natural history of the land you are so much interested in


 Any attentions you can show him during his short visit
 to New York, I shall feel far more grateful for
 given personally to myself.


 Most Respty
 Yours,
 Mina B. Halsted.


 Prof. John Torrey.
        