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Milwaukee Dec 28^th 1857

Dear Sir

I received your favor of 17^th
with five dollars, which I expend in
labels for the plants; I am sorry
to withdraw any of the funds intended
for your Washington trip – but we
will not quarrel about that. I
shall put up the plants in good
order & send them back to you
or to your order.

When you next visit the
Patent Office please ascertain whether
Mr Brown is still at the head of the
Agricultural Department, and if so
I wish you would talk with him
about the work I proposed to do
on the Grasses of the U. States. –
See whether it is the intention to
have the work go on or not &
what his ideas and views are
on the subject. Perhaps
it may not be well to let him
know that you act at my