Letter received by Banks from Philip Gidley King, 8 November 1799 (Series 39.056) - No. 0002

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is in very good condition & nothing injured but some of the [herbs] which are dead, It is to placed between the main mast & mizen mast of the New ship & as most of the things are in that state that no damage will attend their removal I still hope they will get out, that the colony may not certainly loose the advantages to be looked for by so valuable a present - The wire doors shutter which are a great preservative against mischievous pigeons etc are all broke owing to the effect of the Sea Air on the wire, I am told there is a ductile kind of Brass wire drawn, which would answer the purpose better than the present which is now all in pieces.

I very sensibly feel your kind intention towards my son, who I have got nominated there, my friend Mr. Nepean, as one of the Candidates for the Academy on which list he now stands the Eighteenth, It was my intention to have taken him out & sent him home again, which I have been dissuaded from & have placed him under the tuition of the Rev Mr. Burford at Stratford in Essex where he will remain until his age will render him admissible at the Academy, which cannot be these Two years about which time I shall take the liberty of requesting your kind assistance in finishing the business - As I shall take the liberty of writing again before my final Departure I beg to inform you of the Respectful attachment with