
          Recd Apr 20th
Dr John Torrey New York

Philadelphia 18th April 1837

My good friend.  New news from you, since my last Letter of last fall
the missing package with Scolpendium not yet received.

I have been quite in a bustle this spring by having to remove to a new house
N 172 Vine Street, first door above 5th.  I have now a whole house to myself and yet
hardly room to display my collections.  I have at last found a wise and
wealthy man, who will help me to found a new Institution of Knowledge
on a liberal plan, to be called the Eleuthenium of Knowledge
which is to annexed the Institute of learning of N. Am. [North America] & a mutual
Library.    We are looking out for a location.  You will see all our plans
in print pretty soon.  My sine quanon was that no fees for admitance
of my friend no restraint on opinions.  To such Inst I may leave all my
collections, Books & msts [manuscripts] in time.  I have acquired the herbarium of
Collins & will soon be busy to scrutinize it.  Shall tell you more anon.

I sent you the Monograph of Ruhnia.  I wanted to surprise you with a great
Botanical Work.  My Flora telluriana or Supl [supplement] to all Genera plans out
with 2000 New Genera !!! to which I wanted by my New flora of N. Amer [North America]
but I could only print 2 parts or Volume.  1. Classes & Orders 2d 400 N Gen [new genera]
my other engagts [engagements] have compelled me to suspend for a while.  This the first
work published in America on the gerneal Botany of the whole Earth.

Dr. Pickering says Dr. Gray will want it, but must be consulted.  You have
not recomended any of my Works for the Expedit [expedition].  But Dr. P [Pickering] has purchased
some of my rare Works on Zoology.  I had many on Botany.  I send you
my 2 Circulars of this Spring, which please circulate & send to Europe.

I have written a Circular to all the governors on the State Survey.
I am as busy as a Bee, am printing now 2 Works for Editor for Strangers
one on Astronomy, another on Safe Banking my own, but for the Gp Ct
Savings Bank which I established in 1835 & is doing very well.

I begin to hope that I may het bring forward gradually all my Discoveries
& delayed works.  Botany is still my greatest amusement after all
but gives no profit, rather loss.  My principles of Natural Botany are now printed
in English & you or others may study them if you like.

Please let me know, which of my Works you want & how many
Whether for money or plants.  You will perceive that I now deal in natural
objects & plants.  And even advance money on them & on American
Works.  Undertake to publish those refered by Bookselleter etc.

I am very busy & in a hurry, but hope to hear soon from you, & to
write you again more fully

Your old friend

C.S. Rafinesque
        