
          Palisada March 1824

D Sir

I have commited to give you a box of plants
through the hands of Don Carlos Guenard by the Schooner
Samuel Southland & two more to the American Consul
at Laguna with directions to forward them by the first
opportunity. Messrs Howland & Aspinwall are his consigner,

Among these you will find specimens of a new vermifuge, 
this is decidedly efficacious, but sometimes
produces unpleasant effects, there are also two
specimens of the guaco, I have tested the virtues of this
plant for the cure of the bite of venomous serpents fully,
& the result of my experience enables me to pronounce it
about equal to white clover, as a pure tonic bitter it
has few rivals. The collections have been made in an
irregular & hasty manner, still I hope they will not
be altogether unacceptable. You will find a greater
number of some plants than are neccessary, owing to my
being deceived by their difference in appearance in
the different stages of their growth. [crossed out: ?] Sometimes to a desire
to send a more perfect specimen & perhaps often to my having
forgotten that I had already the same plant in my possession.
I mentioned one as having almost microscopic flowers, this
I nelieve was a msitake & I now call your attention to it
to correct the error & request you will favor me with its
botanical name, it will probably take a place in
our Dispensatory. I shall write again on its virtues
when experience shall enable me to do so with a certainty
that I shall not lead you into error. The numbers
        