Resurrecting the First American West

Charles 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