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parts of the United States, & their Territories, there is no question with me but we might, in a very short time, have a 
respectable & valuable collection of our indigenous & naturalized vegetables. They might easily be arranged, & labelled, either according to the sexual system of classification, or after the manner of Jussieu - so that any plant in the collection could be found at pleasure. In my Herbarium, containing nearly 1000 species, I can lay my hand on
any specimen, which may be desired, in half a minute.  It would be extremely gratifying to the cultivators of natural science, to be able, when they arrive at the seat of the general government, to see and examine the vegetable productions of ^[[insertion]] our [[/insertion]] extensive & diversified soil.  Should these suggestions meet the approbation of the Institute, and that body should think proper to undertake the formation of an American Herbarium, in this City, I would cheerfully contribute specimens of the Plants growing in the vicinity

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of my Residence, ([[underlined]] West-Chester, Penn[[superscript]]a[[/superscript]].[[/underline]]) - and I should suppose Persons could be found in every district of our Country who would freely undertake to do the same of their respective neighborhoods. -
I flatter myself the [[underlined]] motive [[/underlined]] of these few hasty observations, will secure for them the indulgence which they need, for their [[underlined]] manner [[/underlined]],- owing to the circumstances under which they are written.
With the best wishes for [[tear in paper]] [[the ?]] prosperity of the Institution, to which you are Secretary,
I am, Sir, very respectfully
your most obed[[superscript]]t [[/superscript]].
[[underlined]] Wm. Darlington [[/underlined]], M.D.
Asbury Dickens Esq
Secy. Columbian Institute
Washington City
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