(seq. 3)

Philad May 28, 1815

Stephen Elliott, Esq. {Esquire}

Dear Sir,

I feel incumbent on me the melancholy of announcing to you, that
your amiable & valued friend Muhlenberg is no more. As we both take pleasure in Botany, and
both occasionally drew from his fountain; knowing too, how much he prized your
correspondence,
the present letter seems to be a sort of duty —

On the morning of the 23rd inst. he was affected with symptoms of Pa-
ralysis, which soon disappeared, leaving an unimpaired intellect, but great physical debility,
thus he remained til evening when the paroxysm was repeated which in a little while terminated
his valuable life. To you who knew him eulogy were superfluous.

Suffer me to tender, late as it is, my thanks for your address to
the Lit & Philosop. Society over which you preside, which was per______me with much
attention and pleasure and to offer my best wishes for the advancement of that Institution —
also my thanks for your repeated offers to send me anything interesting from your quarter that
I might wish to obtain. I feared to trouble you too much, as I am only a sort of desultory
Botanist, but availing myself of your kindness, I will now say, that as I only know the southern
plants from books and a few cultivated in the gardens, if, whenever leisure or opportunity
permit, say either in the fields or woods or among your dries specimens, there my be any supernumer-
aries, a few just gathered put by for me, would be very acceptable. The packet may be sent at
any time likely to incommode you the least.

I have put by for your 3 or 4 minerals which shall be sent to Charleston
by the first vessel.

With respect & esteem truly yours
Zaccheus Collins

If I knew what would interest
you I would try to procure ____