
          Manchester, N.J. 14th April 1847


 My Dear Friend


 Your kind letter of two weeks
 ago has been received - I had not received
 the dispatches from Washington authorizing me to
 frank or receive communications free of postage
 at the time of receiving your letter - These have
 now received and I am authoried to send
 & recieve letters on private business not exceeding
 half an ounce in weight. - No. papers nor
 pamphlets or any other thing can be sent free


 There is nothing out yet in the way of Botany
 except Draba verna. - a month later than last
 year. - Hope to get hard at my grasses soon


 Have been crowded into a little space (only
 two rooms 10 by 12 feet) for my family plants and
 all) After cleaning house & moving I hope
 to go on uninterrupted in my work -


 I scattered some seed of Dracocephalum
 parviflorum last fall. They came up &
 I have them now in full bloom. -


 I will write again soon. Please write
 whenever you find opportunity - Mr Torrey's
 family are now pretty well - Mary & Theodore
 have both had attacks of a billious character
 but yielded readily to medical treatment.


 Very respectfully yours


 P.D.Knieskern

        