To

Thomas McCulloch

Pictou

Nova Scotia

No1.

New York Sept 12^th 1836

My Dear Young Friend:

            Should you not have heard of my return to the United States prior to this, this will confirm the fact to you. I have been here with John one week.

            Along with this I send you a copy of my third Vol. of Ornithological Biographies, hoping that it may give you some pleasure. – I am extremely desirous to procure in the flesh (feathers and all as soon as possible when shot) certain species of birds are more abundant, and more easily procured in your Sections of America than South of it, and now beg of you to fulfill for me the following commission.

            That is to day to procure for me all of the species annexed on the other side, or as many as you can procure, in Common Rum or whatever other Spirits sufficiently strong to save them from purification, in paires as much as possible, and if not by Twos of each species. To have these put into a good cask, with a list of specimen contained therein, and to ship this to New York on the 1^st of May next, to Nicholas Berthoud Merchant, who is my Brother in Law, and on whom I now authorize you to draw at Sight for the amount laid out by you for the Specimen, Spirit, etc.

            If you will attend to this you will render to science and to Myself a very great obligation, and I shall feel great pleasure to do anything for you in return which you or Yours my desire at my hands. – I hope your Dear Father and family are well. Your Friends in London were so when I left. Please present my sincerest regards and thanks to your Father and Family, accept good wishes of mine and believe me ever Sincerely Your Friend and Servant

John J, Audubon

Please to acknowledge the recipt of this care of N. Berthoud New Yourk. – It goes by duplicate.

P.S. You may lay out the amount of one hundred and fifty Dollars, in Birds, Spirits and Casks.

J.J.A.