
          From the moment the plants were lost, I had
formed a determination which has been strengthened
by your letter, to return immediately to the
interesting regions I have described to you, with the
main and leading object of making anew such
a collection as will enable us to give a perfect
description of the vegetable character of the whole
region. Its interest will of course be
increased by large additions in Geography & Geology
as we shall run an entirely new line in going
out. I beg that you will keep this plan in
view in your examination of the plants I now send
you, as we may possibly be able to connect them
with those I shall gather next year. Silence is
one of the elements of success, and therefore I
know that you will excuse me for telling you
that I mention this plan only to yourself & shall
speak of it to no one else. I have 60 or 70
fine mules & horses at pasture on the frontier
and shall immediately commence my preparations
so as to leave the frontier early in April, about 
the 1st and shall certainly be again at the
frontier early in October of next year (1845.)
        