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April 30 1794
Sir
in the year 1789 I was employd at the desire of the the Secretary of State to Contrive a Plant Cabbin Proper for Carrying Plants to the new Colony at Sydney Cove & to Provide such trees & usefull Plants of this Country as the settlers there had not yet got, to be sent out in it. This Cabbin was erected on board the Guardian Capt Rian & I since Learnd from him that Gentleman that of near 100 usefull Plants with which it was filld for the Largest part were, when that Ship was unfortunately wreckd near the termination of her voyage in great vigor & health
Since that time no opportunity has happend convenient for renewing the attempt of sending out this usefull supply, the few Kings ships which have gone to that Country have been fitted out in distant parts where it was impossible for me to attend to the business myself I therefore have made no application on the subject
at present however a very proper opportunity offers itself Capt Portlock who with Capt Bligh succeeded so well in transporting the bread fruit &c. from the South Seas to the West Indies is under orders for New South Wales & he is very desirous of carrying with him a supply of usefull vegetables the value of which to an infant Colony he knows how to appreciate & the care of which he is particularly justified for by his experience in the Bread fruit voyage.
I therefore request leave to contrive a Plant Cabbin for the Reliance Capt Portlolks ship & that orders may be sent to the officers of Debtford [Deptford] yard to Construct such a one as I shall advise provided the Plan meets with Capt Portlocks approbation
I also request leave for a sum not exceeding £25 to be Issued to me for the Purpose of Providing usefull Fruit Trees & other vegetables to be sent in the said Cabbin on board the Reliance & that I may be empowerd to Engage a Gardiner to take the charge of them during their Passage out the said Gardiner to be during his staying in New South Wales under the direction of the Governor but to Return to England whenever the Plant Cabbin
Rt. Honble H. Dundas