
          Doct. J. Torrey                                                            Philad. 9 Jan 1841

My dear Sir,
I have regretted that I had not
the pleasure of seeing you again before you left this City, as I wished
to have asked some more questions regarding our friend Mr. Brydses.
These questions are now however of but [?] consequences, & my only
object in troubling you with the present letter, is to request of [crossed out: illegible] you
the favor to inform W.B. as soon as [?], of my prospects in regard
to travelling in California, & also of my (as least partial) depend [?] on 
him in the prosecution of the matter. I have been expecting to see
him almost daily, but he has not yet appeared, & the time is now
approaching so [new?], when, if I go at all, I must prepare to learn,
that I have been induced to ask of you the favor of writing to him.
I would willingly do this myself, but do not know his address.
I should like him to know that if I go, I must start here in three 
weeks as the latest, previous to which time I shall have all my
preparations to make. I shall be willing to make an arrangement with
him by which he can obtain specimens of every bird which I procure,
but I am now so low in funds that I fear,withouthis assistance, I shall
not be able to leave home at all, & if I lose the present exellent 
opportunity, [then?] is [?] [?] probabilitty of another [?] occuring
Mr. Jones has already [?], I should like & follow in two weeks if 
possible. By attending to this matter for me without delay, you will confer
a very great favor & I shall be most happy at any time & reciprocate, if 
[it?] be in my power. If Mr. B. [O?] appears in your city, please dispatch him
[?] [?] withouta [added: day's] delay-In haste very respectfully Yours. Jno. K. Townsend

        