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Mound Nursery, Canton Ill.
Feb. 15th. 1849.

Dr. Kennicott,

Dr. Sir, your favor of the 7th.
inst. is just recd. - Permit me to assure you
that I am not insensible of the honor sought
to be confered on me as an humble individual
and a stranger. I lose however, a degree of dif=
-fidence when I reflect upon the importance of t
the vocation in which we are mutually eng=
-ged; of promoting the great cause of Horticul=
ture. Ours is a peculiar pursuit, having for
its aim the high object of giving characto to
the Horticulture of the great west. Circumstances
seem to require that we communicate with each
other freely, to elicit information to interchange
ideas and experience. Our country too is pe-
-culiar, in its pomology[?] at least. and I often
think that we are much in need of a well or-
ganized institution of our own, - but of that more anon.

In regard to accepting the nomination
you have tendered me, I am somewhat at a
loss. Perhaps a want of capacity is the greatest
reason why I should decline, again, I am ignorant
of the duties I would assume in becoming a mem-
-ber of said committee, but if you will instruct
me in regard to my duties I will use my best
endeavors in collecting statistics to assist you in ma-
ing out the report. My leisure time however is
at present extremely limited. -