
          Torrey Esq. D.M.
 New york.


 Geneva 12th June 1826.


 Dear Sir 


 I have felt long ago a strong wish to correspond with you
 I have delayed beginning in hopes that some favorable opportunity might offer to procure me
 introduction; This expectation having failed I have determined to take my chance
 to address you without any medium, thinking as I do, that the object of this
 correspondence being solely of scientific nature, you will readily excuse my intrusion
 [and] perhaps feel some disposition to encourage it.


 Botany is at present my favorite pursuit, and being desirous of [extending?] my
 [researches] I am desirous [added: also] of possessing as [crossout: an] extensive and numerous materials as
 [possible]. That part of the United States which you inhabit furnishes a great deal
 and when coming from an author who has thrown so much light upon them as
 you have done, they become the more valuable, you will therefore bestow on me 
 [a] very particular favor, if you will accept the offer of exchanging the plants of
 the United States for those of France, Switzerland and Savoy.


 To begin I have put up a small collection which shall reach you by the Packet
 following the one bearer of this letter; Inclosed you'll find a list of them; They
 have been all compared to the types of Professor De Candolle, you may therefore look
 upon them as being perfectly authentic. I have made my selections among
 the [several?] orders contained in DC’s [De Candolle's] Prodormus systematis naturalis regni
 vegetabilis, excepting the Saxifrageae which, tho' not yet published are ready for
 the press.


 Should my proposals prove satisfactory, and on your making me acquainted with 
 your acceptance, I shall immediately proceed in sending you successive parcels to fill up

        