From William Swainson   27 May 1828

My dear Sir,

It is with pleasure I perceived a notice in Loudons new magazine, on the rising state of Botany at Cambridge, under your auspices. This charming science, at one time my only study, again claims a part of my time. Having at the place I have now fixed myself, a large good garden, I am forming as large a collection of Hardy and Green House plants as the kindness of friends, & the power of exchanging, will enable me to do. My collection only began last autumn, is but in its infancy. I cannot therefore say what I possess, much less commence a catalogue.

But as you appear to be anxious to form a general Herbarium, I have the power of materially assisting you on this point. The duplicates of my Mediterranean & S ^o American Plants are still numerous, and I shall be most happy to exchange a selection with you, for such roots or cuttings of living plants which you can spare, and which I am deficient in. As a family of particular interest to me, the Irideae of Bracvic claim my first attention, and I am procuring from all quarters every species I can. I find it necessary to ask for every species from my friends, even the most common, for I have received plants totally different under the same name to vice versa

I shall be glad to hear if this proposition meets your wishes

Yours, my dear sir | very faithfully | W. Swainson