
          And [verb ally?]
in [?]. Aug. 24]

Smithsonian Institution
Aug. 22nd 1860

My Dear Dr

I find on examination myself
that the ferns are here and I have
given orders that they should be
shipped to you as soon as they can
be put up.

Professor [Baird?], to whom I have
given the articles of Natural History
in charge, is mow enjoying a summer
vacation and I think Mr Vanden was
not very desirous that the plants should
go out of the Institution. I am, however,
alone responsible and I consider
myself justifiable in making that
disposition of the specimens which will
be best for the advance of science.

We start for New.York in the 
packet of this afternoon and hope
to be in NewYork on Friday morning
        