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[Page 2]
have given them to Gov. King, but being in a bad state of health he was unable to go to Sydney. A small quantity of gum, gathered from the Mimosa gummifere. I will not be certain whether the wood I sent you by the Albion produces the greatest quantity of ashes or not, of this I shall speak more at another time. The inner boxes do not please me, as Gov. King had them so daubed with Tar before he sent them to me.
I received your letter by the Investigator, which came in here about a fortnight ago. I am much obliged to you for your proffer but not having got on so well here as what I expected, I must decline it, though it goes against my inclination. as I have long ago been preparing for to make inland journeys. I wish to compleat them & to finish what I have begun, while it is fresh in my memory. I have made several attempts, but have always failed by having but little provision, and by meeting with wet weather. Nothing can be more disagreeable than going in the woods in wet weather, but I have frequently done it. Concerning the seeds collected by the Investigator being all to be sent to Kew, I should think nothing about, for had I not promised some of the Nurserymen some seeds, I should never have took the pains to have gathered them, as I have other things to engage my attention. I have now for the first time sent some to Mr Watson & Mr Colvill, but at Kew they will long have had them before.
I am sorry that I have not had time to communicate to you what writing I intended by the present conveyance. In the affairs of the colony, the place is often disturbed by the Irish rebels. No salt pork served to women, & also to many men, those that are allowed it, receive 1lb 10oz per week Orders very strict against spirits, if a person only has to remove half a pint, he must have a permit. Some people say that liquor has been the ruin of the colony. Free Settlers from England are very much deceived in their expectations. No hopes of getting forward, unless they had a capitol to begin with.