
          [?] [?] [?]Nov. 3rd.

Manchester Oct. 25th 1842.

My Dear Friend.

I received yours of the 19th Inst a few
days after I returned to this place & promised I would
give you the reason why I did not fill out the
package of 200 specimens as requested for your friend
at [Horburns'?]. About two weeks before I went after
my family I was engaged in selecting from my large
bundle the above package. Mrs. Torrey thought I
had better go immediately I accordingly packed
away my plants to secure them from the ravages
of the mice. About this time Mrs. Torrey was taken
very unwell and immediately after Wm [added: was] attacked
quite severly. My whole attention was taken up
in taking care of him and the other sick ones
of the place for 2 weeks, during which time I
barely collected a very few specimens of Autumnal
Plants. On my return I found a thousand things
to do and but little time to do anything. I have
again been obliged to move my plants from the
School-House to make room for a family, and
can see no prospect of immediatly filling out the
suite of 200 specimens.

How would it answer to
get Mr. Browne of Crosby St. N.Y. to supply the
deficeincy or a part of it & I could repay him
in a short time; If you think this plan will
do you may if you please give him the
catalogue that he may know what specimens 
are still to be supplied.

I am digging roots
and shrubs daily for Dr. Gray & Sir Wm J Hooker
which will take me about a week longer to complete.

I have been in the House I now occupy
for a little more than a week and it has
occupied much of my time to make necessary repairs.
        