
          Camp near San Elizario May 24/52

Dear Dr,

A few days ago (by last mail) I received two
letters from you, of March 23 & Feby [February] 13th (on same
sheet with Mr [Shotes?] Since I last wrote I have made 
two interesting excursions, one to Lake [Gurman?] & 
one to the Organ Mts. near Doña Ana, various
interesting things were secured on these excursions and
the region around Frontera we have pretty effectually
investigated. We are now "en route" for Presidio del Norte
though we stay here a few days to make preparations
for the journey. The Maj. talks of sending me on 
with our collections for fear Mr. Bartlett may come 
on and, seizing consign them to oblivion, so I have
a prospect of becoming re[christianized?] if visiting a
Christian [?] will do it.

I would [crossed out: like] like [added: to] have one good reason why all our
American publications should stop at that "halfway house"
Dr. Gray's Ultima [Thule?] leaving more than half of our
American Flora to be studied and published by foreigners.
Tis pity that we have no adventurous Columbus
to try the ocean beyond. By the way I sent you
some plants which are not [?] in [Plant.?] Wright.
Two very distinct species of [Coelostyles?] or something
near it one or both of which Dr. Gray also has had
for several years as likewise the little Hedyotis sent
you as [?] subviscosa. I tried to convince him that 
this last was a new plant which he appeared unwilling
to admit. My opinion is that he don't [sic] like to be told by a 
simple collector that this or that is not in the Flora.
I sent some things to Engelmann also which he ought to
have comunicated to the Dr. Besides which I notice that
        