To A. R. Wallace   3 August [1872]¹

My dear Wallace

I hate controversy, chiefly perhaps because I do it badly; but as D^r Bree accuses you of “blundering”, I have thought myself bound to send the enclosed letter to Nature; that is if you in the least desire it. In this case please post it.—² If you do not at all wish it, I sh^d rather prefer not sending it, & in this case please to tear it up—

And I beg you to do the same, if you intend answering D^r Bree yourself, as you will do it incomparably better than I sh^d—

Also please to tear it up if you don’t like the letter.

My dear Wallace | yours very sincerely | Ch. Darwin.