
          Washington
April 7th 1849

My Dear Dr

Agassiz has not left
our house for the Railway for
Phild [Philadelphia]. to return to Boston He
has been here several days but
has not been in very good health
He is however much better than
when [added: he] came on. We have enjoyed
his company very much and have
had several long conversations
with him on the subject of the
means of improving the condition
of science in our country. He
strongly advises me to urge
either Gray or yourself to prepare
a report on the present state
of philosophical botany. Dr Gray
is engaged on a Report on Forest
Trees and it will not do for me
        