
          Washington City February 7th 1845

My Dear Sir,

This will be handed to you by 
Dr. James McDonnell son of the Govr. of 
Virginia who is to accompany me as 
surgeon in my next expedition. My report
is about to be ordered in the Senate
and as I am obliged to publish if before I go
I know you will not feel yourself urged if
I beg you to assist me by giving what
information you can relative to the botany
of the country in order that I may give
to it as much interest & value as 
possible & in some degree propostioned
to the interest which has been raised
in regard to it. Mr. McDonnell
happening to have a few days of leisure I
prevailed on him to go to New York
for the purpose of seeing as he could
better explain to you than I how
much pressed I am for time &
        