
          zero of [scratched out: centigrade][carat: Réaumur]. Everything but the most hardy vegtetation is
entirely dead & botanizing except for crytogames is over [scratched out: for the 
year] until next spring.

I hope the explantions above given will satisfy to that
I have done what I could to carry on. The plans formed for
scientific explorations I hope to have it in my power soon
to show that I am ready to use all due diligence to repay
the money advanced to enable [carat: me] to pursue my explorations. I
feel somehat embarrassed in receiving the draft from Dr. [Charles Wilkins?] Short
but I shall have no immediate use for it & if I should 
ultimately fail I can return the draft to you.

Very sincerely

Your obdt servt
Charles Wright
Dr. John Torrey

P.S. It will be no harm to mention that I am a standing
candidate for receiving any papers on botannical subjects that may
be published in the proceedings of your scientific societies which may
come into your possession and not be needed by you. I would be glad
to receive monographs or descriptions of single plants expecially the
lower families as grasses or Cyperaceae and any which [Alphonse] De Candolle
has not yet [reached?].
        