
          told me that from some expressions that fell from 
you when he saw you at West Point, he had reason 
to think that you considered my proposed Flora of 
the British possessions in N. [North] America, will anticipate 
some of your [crossed out: notice?] descriptions of Canadian plants 
in your intended Universal Flora of N. America. Now, 
my dear Sir, from so hastily formed an [crossed out: illegible] [added: idea], perhaps I 
ought not to take notice of such a circumstance. But the 
regard I have always entertained for you makes me anxious 
to explain myself a little more to you & thus I am 
sure you will be satisfied not only that our labours will 
not in the least interfere with each other, but that 
we are both serving the cause of science, & each in a way 
which the other cannot do.

Of the propriety of a British botanist undertaking
a description of the plants belonging to British America, 
on to those parts of N. America not belonging 
to the United States, & where so much has been 
[crossed out: at?] done in investigating its vegetable productions, 
& at such a heavy expense with so great risk & even 
loss of lives, by people of our own country, there can 
be no question. Indeed it would be a disgrace to
this nation were the thing not to be done here.

Now, were I to embark upon the thing at once 
it is very true that I might take up & describe some 
new Canadian plants which [added: you] have already destined
for your general Flora, but which you might not 
so soon as myself, have the opportunity of publishing. 
But you must see well that I cannot 
[?] commence operations for 3 years to come, till 
        