Letter received by Banks from Arthur Phillip, 13 April 1790 (Series 37.11) - No. 0001

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Sydney Cove April 13th 1790

Dear Sir

The Officer who is going home with my despatches will see you, & give you every information you may wish, respecting this Country & Norfolk Island, you may depend on my not losing any opportunity of send home Seeds, but if Ships visit us only once in three years, & make an eight months voyage to the Cape as 2 [?] Transports did, I fear you'll receive few in a state for answering your purpose. The Fern tree grows in a thick moist Soil - it is a very handsome tree & grows to the height of thirty & forty feet, the flower is Yellow

Sr. Joseph Banks