Glasgow.
Aug. 26 1832.
My dear Sir
Mr Lindley <1> has informed me that you are desirous of having a set of Drummond’s <2> specimens from Texas, in which country I expect he now is. In my last letter he was on the point of starting from N. Orleans up the Red River with the intention of then coming down upon Texas. But before setting out he ascertained that his difficulties would be very great, & that he would have frequently to carry his collections upon his back: – consequently he feared that his collections would be of small extent compared with those from the Mississipi & N. Orleans. In this case I am not sure whether the subscribers will not think it right to pay a little more for them than for the other plants which are only £2 the 100 species ( exclusive of a small sum as share of freight & paper). Drummond indeed has not hinted at such a thing nor have I yet consulted the other subscribers: – but I fear that unless he is paid a little more for specimens that are attended with such difficulty in the gathering he would will not be able to prosecute his journey. My own opinion is that the Texas plants should be estimated at £2.10.s the 100 species.
I shall put down your name for a set. Perhaps you will, as all the other subscribers have done, take a set of the Missouri and Louisiana plants that have already arrived. The specimens are very good & very peculiar to their respective countries & the number not more than 5 or 600 species. They are not named, of course. But I shall put nos to a great proportion & publish a list of the names in the Botl Miscellany <3> with references to those numbers. This will add to their value. And they are plants not easily obtained through any other quarter.
I need not say that I am very anxious that this able & indefatigable collector, Drummond, should be encouraged as much as possible. I have assisted him largely (with 2 or 3 other friends) in his outfit which was very costly. That difficulty being now got over my great wish is that there should be purchasers for the things sent over; that he may have remittances from time to time & proceed into the mountains of Mexico & California. He is at liberty to collect for any person & in all departments of Nat. History. The extent of his collections however & the extent of his journey must [illegible deletion] depend upon his means.
If you know any persons who wish for specimens I shall be glad if you will inform me.
Very faithfully Yours
W. J. Hooker.
W. H. F. Talbot Esqre
31. Sackville street
London
Lacock Abbey <4>
Chippenham
Wilts
Post office <5>
Cowes
Isle of Wight
Notes:
1. Prof John Lindley (1799–1865), botanist.
2. Thomas Drummond (1793-1835), Scottish botanical collector; died in Cuba in early March 1835.
3. William Jackson Hooker, Botanical miscellany (London: J. Murray, 1830–1833).
4. Readdressed in another hand.
5. Readdressed in a third hand.