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Dr. Ch. W. Short
Louisville 17th July 1818

Sir-

I am travelling through the Western States for the purpose
of exploring their natural productions. Your name was mentioned
to me by Mr. Nuttall in Philadelphia, who told me I could see
you in Lexington, where I meant to go; but your brother whom
I became acquainted with in Cincinnati and with whom I spent
a pleasant day at the north bend, has acquainted me with
your removal. I regret exceedingly that I cannot visit your
part of the country and see your herbarium, as it is my
wish to become acquainted with the geographical range
of all the plants of the western country. I have seen a few
of your plants at your brother's and have determined most of
them, having with me [Pursh's?] [Flora?] & [?] Sinopsis I
am able to determine any plant that I see, I will mention
the Orchis spectabilis of [?] as an instance, which you sent to
your brother as an unknown plant. The principal purpose
of this Letter is to propose you the following arrangement. I
am going now to Henderson and Harmony. I shall come back
here again afterwards, and from thence go to Lexington,
where I hope to be in one month, and where I shall remain
some time: if it is agreeable to you, I would propose that you
might send there your herbarium for my perusal, or any
part of it as you may deem convenient. I will in return
determine for you all the plants it contains; if you have
any duplicates that you can share, I should receive them