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12 Feby. 1828 S. Boykin
[postmark] MILLEDGEVILLE FEB 12 GEORGIA
Mr. Stephen Elliott Charleston S. {South} Carolina
Dr {Dear} Sir:
Various engagements have prevented me from puting & forwarding the plants I have for you. I lately sent you though Dr. Wray roots of the Viola concolor, Liatris tenuifolia & a fine root of the Nolina georgiana. It appears to me there is quite as much justice in separating the V. concolor from the grassy Viola, as the Beninitzia [Benitzia] from Monotropa. I intended sending you a root of the Psoralea lupinella (which is abun= dant in the vicinity) but at the time forgot it. The root is perennial large, ligneous & penetrates quickly in the ground.
Luck has been the mildness of our winter that our earliest spring plants have been in full flower during January. I yesterday found the Corallorhiza innata in perfection earlier than I have met with it by a month.
I am anxious to see the Southern Review, the susbscribers names, at this place, were I be= lieve transmitted but a few days past. As I pre= dicted the number was small, it will however no doubt increase. And to give every inducement I would suggest the appointment of an agent here to collect the sub=
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cription money. Many no doubt would subscribe if the place for payment was near at hand. I see by the newspapers a list of contents. One upon Classical Literature. I hope Grimke's discourse will have recd due attention.
Would not a review of Taylor's constructions construed present a fine opportunity of discussing those lead= ing doctrines in which the North & South so widely differ?
I perceive your Legislature have at length now passed acceptable acts of incorporation for rail roads, &c &c. As one very here qualified for this department of Civil Engineering, I would recommend our Engineer Mr. A. Fulton. I doubt whether any person in this country knows or has more practical knowledge of the subject. He is more the practical than the Scientific Engineer. For my knowledge of him I can vouch for his character as strictlly honest. Our former Govr {Governor} Frank entertains the highest confidince both in his integrity & in his capa= city in his profession. Our Legistlature have finally abolished his office & by term of Service will expire the [ensuing?] spring.
I do not know Mr. Fulton's views. I merely make the above remarks with a view to introduce him to the notice of your towns men who may be about to embark in their proposed rail road.
I will endeavour in a few days to have your packet ready for conveyance
My Sincerely
S. Boykin
P.S. If your daughter has made trial of the Hepatica triloba which Mr. [Habingham?] sent her & do inform of its effects.
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2 March - 1828 S. Boykin
[postmark] 18 3/4 [MILLE]DGEVILLE MAR 3 GEORGIA
Mr. Stephen Elliott Charleston S. {South} Carolina
Plants have arrived & are at the Bank.
Dr {Dea} Sir.
I sent yesterday to Dr. Wray's care a pack= et of specimens to be forwarded you by the first safe conveyance. The packet contains but very few plants of any interest. But as I had a number on hand I deemed them of some account perhaps to your correspondents. Be= tween the layers of paper, I have put often a number of plants, the separation of which will give you some trouble — I have not marked them as usual, with the exception of the grasses I know the most of the gen= era. To some I have attached memoran= dums, if I have given any improper names or if there be any worthy of remarks in return from you, shall be glad to re= ceive them.
I hope you have recd the roots I sent you by the way of suggesting.
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I have some hope of making a visit to Florida the present spring. Should I do it, I flatter myself I shall be able to collect interesting specimens both of plants & fossils.
Very sincerely yours S. Boykin
Mch {March} 2 1828 Mr. Stephen Elliott Charleston