
          And [Answered] Nov. 11th

Detroit 1st Nov. 1839

My Dear Sir,

Your favour of the 24th ult. [ultimate] has just come to hand.
The few days which have elapsed since my return to winter quarters
has left me but little time as yet to give [crossed out: attention to] any 
attention, of consequence, to the details of the work under my charge
& the Botanical Department has received least.

The vacancy in the Dept. of Botany made by the resignation
of Dr. Wright, has not, as yet been filled, [crossed out: &] but our sub apt. [substitute appointee?]
has been employed (in the shape of collector) during the past
season. Dr. Bull, the Sub. Apt. [Substitute Appointee?] [illegible] a portion of the
season in the interior of the state, & a portion, in company
with myself, on the coast from the foot of Lake Superior
to the mouth of Monominee Riv. [Menominee River] of Green Bay. These
coast examinations have extended over from 5 to 600 miles
of Coast, & have been highly interesting both [added: in a] Geological
& Botanical point of view.

I found most of the plants which had before
been seen only on the coast of Lake Superior; along
the shores of Green Bay, & the Northern portion of Lake Michigan,
& I am disposed to think we have a few that are undescribed
in any of the works before me, (& my botanical library is
now [added: comparatively] large). But in referring to this subject you must be
well aware that among my multifarious duties no time
has been left to give this subject the attention it deserves.
We will be able to last to extend localities considerably
        