
          Washington City Dec 30th, 1844

My Dear Sir,

I trust that because I delayed answering
you for some little time that you will not
think that I am not very anxious on the
subject of the rocks & plants, on the contrary
I am becoming more so as the time at
my disposal becomes shorter. I have for
some time past been too unwell to devote
myself to labor & I have also very many
calls upon my attention.

I received your last letter with a great deal
of satisfaction as it contained very many
agreeable things. The determination of the
fossil specimens which I send you, and
the botanical information which I hope you
will be able to furnish me, will enable
me at once to finish my report. These
subjects you know are spread over the 
whole of the work and as their introduction
would be to rewrite the Report, I have
deferred it until I shall receive it.

Could not your friend Dr. [Bernschein?] aid in
determining the grasses etc. I would be
glad to allow him a proper compensation
for it & in that way you might be saved
a great deal of trouble & I would get the information in
        