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Ryde Isle of Wight Aug.t 22.nd 1799.
Sir
Observing an advertisement in the papers for a meeting in Lincolnshire, to which your name was subscribed, I fear this will not reach you in London; but have hazarded it, and altho' it is not certain, whether we shall remain here until I can receive your answer, yet I think it may be attempted, if you should see any thing in it worth a reply -- as my Cup of disappointment & anxiety is so completely overflowed by this long detention, I shall not trouble you with a recital of my feelings on that Occasion, which has occasioned inconveniences of the most serious kind to me and my family; but I trust if my life is spared, that [indecipherable] will enable me to get on my legs again -- I am hopeful that from the Circumstances of the day, our departure will not be put off much longer; as it is, we must expect Bad Weather on the coast of New Holland, which will not be very favourable to a Vessell of the Porpoise's construction -- The Garden continues in a very favourable way, & if it escapes being damaged by the continual warm weather we must have for these five months to come, I am hopeful it will withstand any check it may have in the latter part of the Voyage; some few of the Herbs are dead, but they shall be replaced before we go from here -- The Carrot seeds are come up, & doing very well -- and I sincerely hope that I shall be able to congratulate you on the whole succeeding, & being safe deposited in N.S. Wales, which I am certain will be among the most pleasing news, you can receive from that colony -- As I have heard nothing respecting the Lady Nelson, I am apprehensive that it has not been convenient to get that vessel forwarded, in case she cannot be got ready before the middle of next month, I am apprehensive in the weather she will meet with between the Cape of Good Hope & New Holland, would make it an unsafe passage for a vessel of this description; later than all next month, she certainly ought not to be sent --
[margin note] Augt. 28