
           Rcvd May [20th]

Utica may 16th 1837

Dear Sir

I received your letter of the
first, on the fourth Inst. stating the causes of
the abandoning of the proposed expedition, to the
Rocky Mountains. I confess I was not a little disappointed,
since I had made all the necessary arrangement,
to engage in the enterprize.

You mentioned in your last, that you hoped to
avail yourself of my services in aid of your State
exploration, if I felt disposed to do any thing 
in that way; and, that in a short time you would
write to me again and give me a detail of your
plans.

Having waited for some time, for the
intelligence above alluded to, I thought you might
suppose I had left Utica and that your letters
might not be received, I concluded to inform you
that I still remain in Utica, that I am ready
to engage in anything you may propose provided
I am qualified, and that for the present I am
attempting to raise two or three classes in Botany.

Yesterday I made my debut, before a number of
Academic Students and Teachers at the Academy
and also at the Female Institute before a respectable
assembly of young all of whom appeared to
be highly interested with the subject and anxious
to engage in the study. But there will be one
great difficulty in the way of my success the
scarcity of money, and any success in this attempt
is yet to be determined.

I would here remark
that whether I succeed or not I think it would
not interfere with my engaging in your services
as my arrangements with my classes will be made
conditional I shall retain the privilege to shorten
or prolong my course, as shall be most convenient.

Yours Truly

P D Knieskern
        