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Sir Joseph
I am now informed by the desire of Mr Dickson, that by leaving Kew I have lost your favour, and that it is not to be regained unless I will return there again, where I may be reinstated and have the first chance of going abroad. I told you in a former letter, that I meant to make much of time; but in the capacity that I was there, I could not fulfil the above maxim. I shall now quote your letters of what you have said concerning those employed in a Botanic Garden: " they have great opportunities not only of studying the culture of plants, but also exotic Botany". (Letter dated Marh 30th '95.) "I know also that altho' there did not appear to be much time for the cultivation of the mind in the school in which I placed you." (letter dated Jany 8th '98) These two quotations do not agree. You perhaps will say, that by being concise, their sense is not truly understood; but, if I had quoted the whole sentences it would have been equally the same. If you prove diligent and make a proper progress in learning, I will from time to time give you such assistance as will make your station less disagreeable than otherwise it would be" (letter dated Marh 30th '95). I can prove that I was diligent, & that I made a rapid progress in learning plants by their habit; therefore, if you do not give me that assistance, you have forfeited your word, as may be witnessed by your letter.
"No person has been appointed to go to Botany Bay in your stead." (letter dated July 16th 1798.) the Emphasis being placed on the words, in your stead testifys that I was to go. "How you can be useful to your employers as a Botanical Traveller, to send here seeds and plants from thence, till you have made yourself acquainted with these already in England I do not know" (Ditto). I'll grant that I am not acquainted with all these in England, and also that no other person is. Call to mind when I was in your library, a short time after I had sent you a letter, dated Novr-28-97, when you said in the presence of Mr Dickson, as well as myself; that there was room left for to discover new drugs &c. that a ship had sailed for Bot. Bay a few months since, but another would sail in about 4 months, commanded by a Captain King, a particular acquaintance of yours; that the climate would be very healthful, and there would be no dangers to run. I immediately told you, that I was afraid of no clime. "You said you did not believe that I was, nor even afraid to face the Devil himself"; the knowledge of an immense number of plants was not the discourse, but other matters to be of utility to the colony was the object to be gain'd thus; by this it appears that I then knew plants well enough. After stopping nearly 4 months, I was informed that the ship which I was to go in, would not be launched before May; I knew that if I remained at Kew I should deprive my inttellects (as well as other affairs) of that culture that nature had intended for them. I do sincerely tell you, that according to the law of Nature, you have no right to tell one of being deficient, untill you can show proof for it. Have not I asked, that if any person wanted to go, I freely gave my consent; provided he might undergo an impartial tryal, as well as myself; that which was proved the best, for to have the birth. Have not I told you that
Augt 25.27