
          [at top left: Recd, Aug. 29th]


 [within a single bracket at right:
 4N. 3W. [?] Principal Meridian
 28 July 1843]


 My Dear Friend


 A rainy day a log cabin a used sheet of foolscap
 and old pen & an inkstand in a state of almost utter exhaustion are the facilities
 I have for answering your letter. I received it a week since. Had it not been a paid
 letter I should have had it in April - I have purposely delayed answering it till I
 had in view Dr Mead. I was suprrised at its length. It was more than I had dared ask
 from your pen in answer to all [crossed out: your] my letters to you. I had [word obscured by library stamp] a few lines
 from you & a letter moderately filled by Mrs. T & the dear children & I beg the young
 ladies' pardon. I suppose now they feel above being dear children). I had entirely
 dispaired of a letter from you & but for the inscription on the second no. of the Fl .
 "from his friend J. Torrey" I should have concluded that I never had been entered on your
 list of friends. As it was I was planning a few weeks ago to present myself
 at your study door ere this to demand the grounds of my proscription. I wrote
 to Dr Gray some time since sending a miniature specimen or two & offering
 him & you whatever I could do for you in the swamps of the Homochitto
 I dared not do it to you. I did not expect an answer unless something
 were wanting, but if he wrote he wrote to late


 A chapter of autobiography has its place here. My year at the Institute
 expired in October 1842. It was a pleasant year & a profitable one one though
 a very debilitating one to the purse. Stuffing my pockets [crossed out: for the] with
 testimonials, for the first time in my life I proceed to Natches [Natchez?]. There
 I found prospects so poor that I was glad to engage to teach 9 children
 at the rate of $400 & board. Severer service I never entered _ My sphere
 of usefulness was limited to my school. The accursed schism in the Pres. Ch.
 cut me off from preaching to slaves. My school tho' easily governed was
 the hardest to be taught I ever knew. My labors knew not the remission
 of vacations nor the regular period of school hours. My health was
 unequal to the unusual task. I started for N. York ^ [inserted: to go by sea from N. O.] but arriving 
 at Natches [Natchez?] the prospect of Quarantine, a letter I received from Illinois
 & other considerations led my steps this way - 


 Meanwhile in Natural History particularly Chemistry & Botany I have
 not been idle. Great indeed have been my regrets that I did not get
 the flora by Kingman. Even the two parts I had were of increasing value
 to me. Having now heard from you I shall I hope soon obtain them.


 I brought some spare specimens from the south & I have now opportunity
 to collect more than I can use but I do not know how to aid
 you. Many plants have entirely escaped my notice - many others
 including all grasses I do not know - The few cryptogamia that
        