
          Recd. Apr. 6th
and Apr. 8th

Utica April 3rd 1837.

Dear Sir

I have been patiently waiting [added: to hear from you] and anxiously
inquiring after the state of the navigation of the North
river, which I learn is at length free from ice and
navigable for steam boats between Albany & N. York

I have not yet heard from you, and I have been
inclinded to think that your letter if you have written
me, may have miscarried, or may possibly be now
on the way, or that it may now be too late to
get to St. Louis in time to start with the caravan.
Whether any of my surmises be correct or
not, I should be glad to be informed, what the
prospect is at present. If I am not to go this
season, it is time for me to make preparations
to do something else. Since my interview with
you last summer I have devoted all my leisure
hours to the study of Natural History in one department
or other, and find myself as much [crossed out:devoted] [inserted: attached]
to the science as ever. I have heretofore been solicited
to give instructions to classes on Botany, but
my natural diffidence has prevented me from
engaging in the attempt. These solicitations have
recently been renewed and [I no?] not know but
that I may engage if I fail in the proposed exepedition?

You mentioned to me in one of your
letters that you wished me to collect plants last
fall, but the intelligence came too late to do anything,
and the subject was passed over in silence.
Now if you still wish me to collect for you
please inform me what you meant and in what
quantities and I think you may obtain a supply

If this season or Summer will do to procure sections 
of wood, you may expect something in that
way. But if I should engage in practice
all my Botanical, Mineralogical and Zoological
researches will necessarily be very limited, or totally
suspended for the present at least.

If Doctor Gray is not yet gone I should be
very glad to be informed where his most interesting
localities in this vicinity are. I am
tolerably well acquainted with the situation of
the surrounding country an think I could find
any places he may describe with little trouble.

I have a few plants from this region which
were intended for you if called for to go to
New York & will try to send them before long.

I shall be glad to hear from you immediately
in order to make any arrangements to the best
advantage. At present I am in a state of suspense
and you very well know that it is very
unpleasant

In Haste Yours truly

P. D. Knieskern

P.S. We had a tremendous fire here a few nights since
but I have suffered no loss except 2 sets of straps & buckles I
had making for an Herbarium & a portable press.

P. D. K.
        