
          And March 31

Washington March 30th 1859

My Dear Dr

Your kind and very acceptable
letter of the 28th was received yesterday
and I now embrace the first opportunity
to give you a few words in reply.

We are all well and have been enjoying
the pleasant weather with which we
have been favoured, not withstanding
the rain, for seveal weeks past.

I am just now much interested in
the weather and am studying up for
the purpose of preparing a paper on
the storms of this country, as a part of
the next Report of the Patent Office. The
subject is a very perplexing one, not only
on its own account, but also on that
of the multiplicity of contrary statements
which have been recorded in regard
to the phenomena. No part of science has given
rise to more angry personal discussion
the object of which appeared to be the
support of adopted opinions rather than
the discovery of new truths.
        