
          intention of holding it but a few years, until the college should
 have surmounted. the troubles in which it was (and is) involved, 
 and from which we have pretty good reason to hope from the 
 exertions now being made, it will soon be extricated. so that 
 the professorships may be properly endowed. He has 
 given notice of his intention to resign about a year hence
 by which time, if ever, the college will be able to place 
 several professorships upon a substantial foundation. 
 Dr. H. [Hadley] has expressed to me a strong desire that I should 
 be considered a candidate for the place, & I strongly 
 suspect, that to further that object is one reason for his
 wishing me to act as his substitute during the ensuing
 summer, My presence there would be necessary from the 
 1st of June to the middle of July. Dr. H. [Hadley] has been 
 acting under a nominal salary of $500, being engaged there 
 but 13 or 14 weeks. For the summer course I should 
 receive $200. Dr. H. [Hadley] insures me $100. immediately, even if he 
 has to advance it himself, & the whole if funds are in the
 hands of the treasurer, if not. the whole would be received 
 quite certainly within the year. I have only to say further,
 that the college has now 100 students, is situated in a 
 beautiful village 9 miles from Utica, has the best 
 college buildings of any in the state, has a good faculty, &c. 
 I urged. the promise I had made of the visit to Georgia, 
 which this plan. would entirely frustrate, but promised to 
 give him a definite answer within a fortnight.
 I can scarcely think of postponing my southern tour for 
 another season. but the question comes to this, whether, in the 
 present state of my finances I had better expend $100. in that 
 visit or earn $200 in the same time. I could also. I think
 continue my engagements here in July & August, by which 
 a little more of the trash might be pocketed, and return
 to New York. in time to make a September excursion to the 
 dearly beloved pine barrens of New Jersey, and spend the 
 early part of fall in botanical work, & the winter in your 
 laboratory. The term closes here the 23d of April. (a little 
 earlier than I supposed) so if the original plan is pursued 
 I shall be in New York by the 26th of that month. if not  
 I shall be disengaged for a month, a portion of which. I should 
 like to devote. with my friend Dr. Crawe, to the minerals
 of St. Lawrence County. So rests the case. I told Dr. H. [Hadley]
 that I should write immediately to you, & be governed in a good 
 degree by your answer.

        