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Amount. These Bills arriving at the time of the Universal Distress of the Merchants (of which you must have heard) I found great difficulty in paying them. They are however, thanks to my friend Kofoed, at length settled. They have left me, as you may easily imagine, very bare for the present. It is a temporary embarassment for this year, which I must submit to, but which will be attended with future benefit. I have recovered Possession of my Property out of unfaithful hands, & will now have the direction of it myself.

I have lately seen in the Gazette de Leide that the Library, Herbarium & Collection of Animals of Van Royen, are to be sold at Public Auction on the 17th of next Month. From the circumstances just related to you, I can not give any any

commission there either. Were I situated as I was two years ago, I would proceed thither myself. What do you do? I am much afraid you will lose the Benefit of Mr. [?Brangman's] friendly offer. The Value of that celebrated collection is so well known, that probably there will be several orders for it from foreign Parts, at any Price. The Natura= =lists of Paris will in the present time have the advantage.

My business with the gentlemen who hold a Mortgage on my Estate in Ste. Croix, will require me to go to Holland in the beginning of May. What a pleasure would it be to me to meet you there, & to see the different collections with your Information and Instruction on them. Please to let me know what time you think you will be there, and whereabouts I may find you.

I'll thank you for Mr: de [?Insicu's] determination on the Mangifera pinnata of Puerto Rico, culti=