
          Buffalo Oct 12th 1853

Dr Torrey

My Dear Friend

I feel under obligation
to you for your kind letter of the 7th which I
received last evening. I answer this early because
I wish expressly to be bourne in mind as an aplicant
for the post of physician & botanist to an
exploring expedition to any part of the country,
especially would I be gratified to receive such an
appointment to Capt Marcy's Expedition to the Rio
Colorado should it be fitted out. You will doubtless
recollect that in my last, I mentioned that there was
another physician in this place who would like a
similar situation. It is on account of his health.
This gentleman was my preceptor, and is considered
one of the best Physicians of the place, has a good practice
but wishes to get away from his business for a season
to make observation from nature especially in the
direction of Comparitive Anatomy. Could situations
be obtained in the same expedition it would be very
agreeable, but this perhaps is not possible, & we are quite
willing to go separately.

Very truly & Respectfully Yours

E. D. Merriman

        