
          Utica Nov. 24th 1836

Dear Sir

Your letter of the 14th Inst. was received
about a week since but unfortunately 
too late in the season to collect any plants.
In it you mentioned that you wished me to
procure for you "cuts of the trunks of native
trees" This I may still accomplish for you,
if you will have the goodness to inform
me how to procure them and of what form
and size, inform me soon if you please
and I will immediately engage in the work.

As it respects the proposition you made me
last August, I have had some time to reflect
upon; and have formerly thought much about
it, but not hearing from you, I concluded 
that you had given up the idea, or had found
some other person to engage in the pursuit,
in consequence of which I thought little more
about it.

But since the propostion
has been renewed I wish to make some
inquiries.

And in the first place 
with regard to the safety or danger of
the expedition. Will not the war between
the government of Mexico and the Texans
render the travels through that country extremely
dangerous? And, will not the hostile
disposition which prevails among some of
the indian nations, towards our government
make a journy through their country very
unsafe? I have been informed that one or
more caravans of traders, have been totally
destroyed on this route by the natives within
a few yearsand all their effects plundered.

Would there not be some difficulty in
carefully preserving, keeping dry, and even carrying
all I should be able to collect? and would
not the company be apt to travel too fast
to afford me any time for collecting any thing
before we should arrive at the place of
destination?

Please inform me what operations
will be necessary? What preparation should
be made? And how I am to determine what plants
will be most acceptable (not being familiar with Southern
plants.) so as to not swell my baggage with
plants which may be common in other localities, in
the same latitude? etc.

        