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Cape of Good Hope 26 March 1789
Sir
My last letter was by the Alexander Transport Sp. from N. Holland, by which occasion under the care of Mr: Shortland Kings agent, I sent three Boxes, * viz Two containing Seeds & some Bulbs, and one containing 25 pots in which is several Sorts of Liliaceus Bulbs. I now send pr. favour of Capt. Harding of the Kent E. India Sp. a Small box containing Seeds of 110 Sorts of which is annexed a List. We last week received the Melancholy News of his Majestys indisposition, which gives me great sorrow. Such an event will no doubt retard the progress of many branches of the Sciences of which he was a patron. As I have received no advice about the time I am to remain here I must of course remain another Season which I hope I shall be able to employ to the best advantage by taking a new rout [route] and earlies [earliest] in the Season after which I cannot think that I can be of much advantage to the science of Botany to remain longer here. The Imperial Botanist has received orders to return, but so little weight has his Imperial Masters name, that he has not been able to get a passage in the Dutch Ships, and must remain here another year nor has he been yet able to Send any of his last years collection home. I wish Mr. Aiton would send a list as near as possible of the plants which have succeeded so as to prevent me bring home unnecessary lumber.
I have
* The three Boxes contains 422 Sp. besides some without numbers.