
          Pottsville Pa. [Pennsylvania] 23th May 1852.


 Prof. John Torrey  Esq.


 A few days since I called on you at New York,
 bearer of a letter from our friend W. S. [William Starling] Sullivant of Columbus.
 It is the second time that I am trying to make your
 personal acquaintance and I would have been very happy 
 to find you. M Sullivant's letter tell you who I am and
 perhaps Dr. Gray or M. John Carey might have mention
 my name to you. Last winter I prepared for publication
 the American mosses which I collected in different journey's
 especialy in North Alabama, Georgia and both Carolinas. 300
 species in number, comprising the species collected by Vakes
 on the white mountains and bought by M Sullivant.
 The Sphagnum Torreyanum, is the only species of which
 I have too few specimens and I would have been very
 happy to received from you some indications about the
 locality where it grows and the best places where I should
 go in New Jersey for the collecting of more and also of
 Phenogamous plant. As I am quite deaf, if I had had
 the pleasure to see you, you would have had much trouble
 to speak with me and perhaps on [added: account] of this infirmity you
 will be kind enough to give me by a letter the indications
 which I want. I am now engaged in the geological
 state survey of Pensylvania for the study of the fossil plants.
 but I could find oppotunity to make an excursion to
 the New Jersey swamps. I am going to morrow to
        