
          may have seen. These three parcels, I understand from him,
are, for the most part, triplicates of each other, and that mine
is perhaps the most full and perfect. In it I observe several
duplicates of the more interesting species, and I have to request
the favour of you, after having examined them and retained
such as you need for your own purposes, that you will
return me a specimen of such as you can conveniently spare
with the names.

Dr. Gregg, as you will at once percieve [perceive], makes no
pretension [crossed out: of] to nomenclatural botany, but he has, it must be
confessed, manifested much industry and zeal in the collection
he has made, and in the knowledge of their oeconomical and medicinal
uses, together with their habitats, &c. &c. all of which you
will find fully detailed on the labels accompanying them.
The collection was made during the march of detachments of
the Army, from Santa Fée [Fé] to Beuna [Buena] Vista, and on lateral excursions 
from this line to the coast & west to Chihuahua; and considering
the inconveniences and dangers frequently attending, the
specimens are for the most part judiciously selected and well
preserved. I trust confidently, therefore, that you will find
much of interest, and perhaps something of novelty, in this collection;
and in the latter event I would venture, in behalf of Dr. Gregg,
to request the favour of you to connect his name with
anything new which you may meet with, in the assurance that
he well merits such distinction. I regret very much that 
I
        