
          Augusta 13 May 1844


 Dear Sir


 In conjunction with Dr Mead I will venture
 to tax your patience with another letter. Knowing
 the many calls on your time I do not wonder that my
 last letter failed of eliciting an answer. I suppose
 the State botany was pressing you by the time your lectures
 were through & perhaps it is useless to hope a line from
 you till after the Report & the no of the Flora long due
 shall have issued from the press. Meanwhile (Deo Volente)
 I shall locate myself near Quincy & devote the summer
 to Theology Botany & Greek. I had thought of delivering
 a course of lectures in Quincy but have concluded
 it would make too serious a draft on my time.


 Had we text books out here I could easily get a
 class but with Comstock's Botany - bah!


 I am expecting my Flora out here with some plants
 for Dr Mead from Barratt & others soon. I have pressed
 nothing this spring. Think I shall begin next week & pursue
 it more vigorously than ever before. I intend to
 use a portable press wh. I can carry in a buggy


 My future plans are still very vague. The west
 is not place for me as yet. I might remain here 10 years
 more & not get settled. I know of but one minister
 installed over a church. I find openings enough
 to preach gratuitously. The mass want a cheap ministry.
 I have bought 8 acres of prairie adjoining the
 Village of Hillsgrove Mc Donough Co & 40 acres of timber.
 Should I obtain the means in future I intend to
 put buildings on it & rent it, unless some thing
 should induce me to retire to it. This fall or next
 spring I intend coming East when if we live I hope
 to see you. Will you please look at the plants I sent
 you in the Autumns of 1842 & 1843 if you received them
 & communicate their names either to Dr Mead or
 to me at Quincy


 Yours truly I F Holton.
        