
          gratitude to those who have aided me either with money
or books.

I want to lay myself under obligation to you for a 
favor which I think you can readily confer. A friend to whom
I am under great obligations wishes me to procure one or two
books which can be sent by mail. One is

[John C.] Knowlson's Complete Farrier - this I know can be sent by mail.

Another [carat: desideratum] is - Some work on the Culture of Bees. I know of no work
of a practicable nature to refer to but I think you can procure one.
These works are wanted by a practical farmer. If you can procure
them send them to "Claiborn Kyle San Marcos Hays 
Co. Texas." Enclosed you will find a dollar & if they should 
cost you more I will send you the money at another time.

Will you be so kind as to send me the "Annual of 
Scientific Discovery" for the year past as soon as it is
published [carat: & I will immediately refund the money] Dr. [Asa] Gray sent the volume for 1849 with
which I was much pleased.

Jany 9th I have just seen some men from El Paso. They say provisions
are very dear & scarce. I also learn that the hauling for the government
is again to be let out on the contract. I fear that there may be under 
these circumstances some difficulty in procuring transportation for
my baggage. I I should be obliged to pay for my hauling and give
a high price for provisions I think I shall make nothing by a
botanizing tour to New Mexico & it may cost me more than it
will come to. I exceedingly regreat that the prospects are so
unfavorable but I will still hope for "better times" and
when spring comes I will see what can be done.

Enclosed are a few water plants most of them collected in the Comal
        