
          A short time ago I recd.[received] a letter from a botanical correspondent at
Charlestown S. Carolina. Revd.[Reverend] John Bachman, in which he says
that the heirs of Elliott have put into his hands for keeping
his whole herbarium. Now, although Elliott did a great deal
considering the times & circumstances in which he was placed,
you know better than I that little dependence is to be
placed upon [crossed out: his] many of his determinations of species, &
that the descriptions of many of his new ones are entirely
insufficient. If his herbarium is not soon overhauled &
his species determined by the only American Botanist at 
present fit for or [added: much] [interested?] in the undertaking, ugly difficulties
will [crossed out: forever] arise for a long time, so that in fact
his book may do much more hurt than
good to our botany. You ought to go to
Charleston if necessary, but it seems to me
that if you should apply through Dr. Bachman
to the heirs of Elliott, taking care to make a pressing
application, well backed up by your friends, they might consent 
to send on the collection to you, it being [insured?]
at a round sum (for I supposed it is thought very valuable) if
that would make it any easier. If you should think proper to
make an application, I will use all the arguments in my
power to Dr. Bachman. Suppose a committee of your Lyceum
should apply for it, stating the reasons.

I have put up a small box
of plants, few of which I fear will be of much interest to
you. I have scarcely any experience which I do not know you
to possess & none of which I do not think it highly probable you do.
If your paper is not printed, as suppose it has been long ago, & you
think it would be in reason, I will send you, if you will write on receipt
of this, every species & vary.[variety] I have got, whether I have duplicates or not.
Some of the localities might be of some value in your paper, though of little after it
printed.

I send [added: with the box] [crossed out: Mr.] Bachman's Catalogue of the plants about Charlestown.

        