
          Washington Feb. 18, 1819

Dear Sir,

Agreeably to promise I embrace this
earliest opportunity to inform you of the pecuniary
consideration allowable to the natualists
to be attached to the Exploring Expedition.
It is left optionary with ourselves, whether a pecuniary
consideration shall be allowed, or the
Naturalists have the privilege of making
any disposition they may deem proper, of the 
Curiosities etc., that we may collect. The
utmost compensation that can be allowed
is $2.00 per day and one ration, to be
furnished under my certificate, as an allowance
to Assistants, in making Top'l Researches.

As I find no letter from you at this 
place, I presume some miscarriage must have 
taken place. I shall expect to hear from you
        