
          New York June 14[t?] 1827

My dear Doctor,

I thank you for your letter of 6th, which
by the way did not reach me so soon as it ought to
have [done?] by two or three days...... If I say I hope you
may succeed if I do not, you will not doubt my
sincerity, tho [though] you would, if my wishes were expressed
without that exception; let me say, however,
that were I certain I shd [should] be your successor at W. P. [West Point]
I do not know that I shd [should]not most heartily wish
you to succeed here, without exception. For your
suggestion respg [respecting] my [?] preparation of my [papers?]
I also thank you: I shall not of course, send any to
the Southward, until the other matter is decided
indeed I shall want you, according to [premise?], to
lend me your influence, when I send [this?] there.
The subject, as I have already told you, has been mentioned
to Col. Thayer, but of course it has been only
as a contingent matter, "in case Dr Torrey shd [should] remove
from the Academy, as it [added: is] said he has contemplated to do"
this you know you had yourself suggested to the Col
(as you told me) as a thing wh [which?] might happen: shd [should] he
at any time [crossed out: suggest] mention the matter to you, I trust
you will not forget yr [your] friendship: you can do a great
deal for me there. I take it for granted that you
feel in regard to our opposition at Albany, as I
do, shd [should] you succeed, (wh [which?] by the way I consider scarcely
a doubtful point) altho [although] I may regret my own failure, I
        