
          Ansd [Answered] Nov 15th 1834


 Wilmington, De Dec 27. 1833


 To Dr. Jno [John] Torrey


 Dr [Dear] Sir


 Your letter reached me at
 the busiest & most perplexed period of my whole
 life, or you should have receved [received] an earlier reply.
 & Even now I can only make you promises of 
 aid to be rendered some time the ensuing spring.
 For some months I have been engaged in winding
 up an extensive business which I have pursued
 for 20 years preparatory to a retirement into the
 country, when my facilities for serving you
 will be much increased, meantime my
 herbarium is in disorder and I cannot conveniently
 select & forward such specimens as I think
 would be useful to you, nor command the time
 requisite to prepare a catalogue of such plants
 as have come within the range of my notice
 more over, having prepared specimens only with
 a view to future reference for my own satisfaction

        