Mr. F came in, doubtless, by an arrangement with the head of the department, & without the direct action of the government to which, in this affair, I presume he was unknown. In the same manner I undertook the sugar investigation. It was a definite duty to which I was appointed by the secretary of the treasury & Congress knew nothing of the affair until the report came out. Was I therefore entitled to strut as U. States Saccharist! It would be very just to chastise this man. Besides his rhinoceroides (for which he is [?] & confined & [?] with him in Mr. Mantell’s letters to me) you will find that in his review of Eaton’s Geology 2 or 3 years ago in the North America, he throughout uses cataplasm for cataclysm & if it is not a misprint he appears not to know the differences between a dragee & a poultice. Dr. Mays & Dr. Morton [?] Phila can give you private history if you wish it. I have not seen any thing new on the deluge, except that in Boué. You will find a good deal about it & some things you will not like. I go for Nantucket on the 9th instant without Madam but with my son.

                                        Yours as ever,

 Prf Hitchcock               B Silliman