I recieved in due time your letter of Dec. 26. but it has been impossible for me to answer it sooner. Capt Lewis has brought a considerable number of seeds of plants peculiar to the countries he has visited. I have recommended to him to confide principal shares of them to mr Hamilton of the Woodlands & yourself, as the persons most likely to take care of them, which he will accordingly do. he will carry them on to Philadelphia himself.

The tulip roots you were so kind as to send me, I planted at Monticello last autumn. I intend to go there the first week in March in order to commence planting out some things to be in readiness for my kitchen & flour gardens two years hence. a small cart will come here for such articles as I collect here, chiefly trees. but there are several articles for the selection of which I would rather ask the assistance of your judgment than that of any other. I note them at the foot of my letter, if you could be so good as to furnish me with them you would greatly oblige me. seeds & bulbs can be so packed as to come with perfect safety by the stage, the best conveyance to this place because we can command it at all times. whether tuberous and fibrous roots can come successfully in moss or any thing else not too bulky, you are the best judge. to give them the better chance they will be safest with you till about the 25th. of February. your bill for their amount shall be immediately provided for by remittance. Accept my salutations & best wishes.