
          New Brunswick 22nd January 1832

Professor Torrey

Dear Sir
Unable to leave my room, I address you on the subject
under care of your [?]. I wish you to understand in all its bearings my motives
for presenting that paper before the Lyceum. The introduction of foreign plants was a 
gratuitous duty imposed on a portion of the American Consuls not one of whom as
far as I can learn has made any sacrifices to discharge it except myself. The suspicions
and depotism of the ignorant people among whom I resided threw every possible [crossed out: object]
obstacle in the way of my enquiries, and my only means of overcoming them was
gratuitous and politic distribution of my medical services. I was therefore cut off
from all opportunities of making money either byprofessional or mercantile pursuits - 
while my unofficial countrymen in the sametime and region were acquiring independent
fortunes. Government furnished no funds with its commands, my Consulate did
not defray one third of my personal expenses; and I should have starved had it not
been my fate to receive from retired planters an occasional anonmous [anonymous] gift which
I would have not accepted had they possesed the power to interrupt my researches.
My labors have therefore been hitherto of comparatively little practical ability to my
country, yet the intelligence I have acquired though limited in quantity is invaluable
in quality as I doubt not that it will contribute essentially and greatly to the prosperity
independently of our union. Although not qualified for Technical Botanical description
yet I consider my information relative to useful plants neither less in 
quantity nor in utility in that account. The practical value of all vegetables have
been always implemented before botanical language was ever applied to describe them
nevertheless I admit the advantages of the Science to its fullest extent and wish to enjoy them all.
this is a digression. As the enterprize of domesticating tropical plants in the united States was
too great for my individual funds and exertions; as Government would not appropriate
funds nor in any manner take the enterprize entirely and directly in its own hands [of?]
suggested in my letter to the Secy [Secretary] of the Treasury of Nover 8th the propriety of forming
an incorporated company in [S?] Florida for that purpose.This project I am informed is
recommended in the Message of the Governor of that Territory. Yet a
company in itself is insufficient to accomplish the greatest possible quantity of
public good. We all know that incorporations have no souls, no conscience, no
patriotism, no liberality. They are powerful but not disposed to devote that power
to a remote and public good. The will aid the public welfare only when bound
by stipulations or when under the control of patriotic individuals. Under these convictions
I determined to apply to Congress for a grant of land to myself and asociates. I claimed
as a matter of right either as a renumeration for the sacrifices I have made, or a reward
the intelligence I have communicated, but would accept it as a favor to encourage
the introduction & promote theculture of tropical plants, such as has been conceded
to foreigners for the vine & olive. With this Grant, I could say to the Company "Gentlemen
I will show this into common stock, with these conditions, 'you must erect comfortable
buildings, place in them a library of botanical, horticultural and agricultural
books, and annex a garden or nursery of all interesting tropical plants, and I
must be your superintendent therein." In this way only will be accomplished the
great desideration of domesticating foreign plants. A promising enthusiastic ambitious
individual must be main spring of success. Mc [Thush?] corresponded with Dr. Hosack
on the subject of the Circular. Dr. H with the Horticultural Society. A committee of the 
H.S. reported the project of establishing 3 great botanical gardens, and then the
whole affair went to sleep and would haveentirely died were it not for my
humble self. Under these circumstances thought I to myself surely every scientific
man in teh United States will second myPetition to Congress for a grant of land
to encourage the introduction of tropical plants. Where once they hear the value of a 
single species they will support my petition on thatground alone
        