F. N. Barbarin Esq
Perth Amboy N. Jersey

Fort Hamilton NY
1 May 1844

Dear Sir
I recd last night your letter of the 29 ulto, & though I regret exceedingly to lose your aid & Assistamce, yet if you can profitably occupy yourself at home I shall on your account be reconciled to my loss. I am much obliged to you for your offer to come and assist me until I can get another aid. I do not yet know whether it will be necessary to trouble you in this way, as I suppose you must be busy in your preparations & your stay could be but short, & you might be put to inconvenience & delay in your other arrangements. I had postponed until your arrival the arrangements of the office, & everything has been disarranged by the move, I do not yet know what is missing, or out of place. I shall however now set to work to adjust matters & will then be better able to decide as to the necessity of calling in your aid, which I shall regret to do unless the commencement of your school is so distant that your temporary absence will not interfere with your plans.
The book and papers of mine you speak of, you can send the first opportunity to the Grhrs Office, No. 60 Greenwich ST N.Y. or to Wm B Case 142 Front St, as may be most convenient & think the first time (page 2 ) I send the wagon to the city I will send your cot & such other matters of yours as I can find, on board the Raritan directed to you at Perth Amboy.

I wish your school was nearer to me that I might add to it a bad scholar or so - If anything should occur to cause you to abandon or postpone your present project or that would render your return to me desirable, you must let me know. I shall not for some days take any steps to supply your place or till I hear from you again.
Knowing how uncomfortable you must have been while separated from your family, & that your employment at FtH - besides being uncertain brought but small pay & much that was disagreeable; when in Wash this winter, I applied to Mr Bache for a situation for you on the Coast Survey. I however could not succeed in obtaining as good a situation as you had here. Just before leaving, Mr B. told me that he had been applied to, to recommend a Professor of Mathematics for the Colledge at Easton Penn- which I though would suit you to begin with & as a stepping stone for something better, & be promised if you desired the situation to write to the Pres: of the Institution & ascertain the salary, duties etc, & whether the place had been filled. He said he believed the salary did not exceed five or six hundred dollars, a house & lot & perhaps some small perquisites. I promise to write him after my arrival here & have waited to see you on the subject. I suppose however that you have committed yourself too for in your present project to entertain this & neither perhaps would wait upon the other.
(Page 3) Mrs. Lee joins me in kind regards to Mrs. B in sincere wishes for success & prosperity in your new undertaking. She thanks you for your kind remembrances & begs you to be assured of her sympathy & interest in your happiness & welfare.

Very tuly & in haste yours R E Lee