Series 05.01 : Copy of a letter written by Banks to Comte Louis de Lauraguais, December 1771 - No. 0001

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My Dear Count

The abstract of my Voyage which I have so long promis'd you, I at last begin to write: the multiplicity of my employments in wch : I am engaged will I know, with you plead my excuse for having so long delay'd it.

On the 25th. of August 1768 we set sail from Plymouth & on the 12 of Sep. arriv'd at Madeira after a moderate passage. Here we were receiv'd with great civility, by our consul, & not uncivily by the Portuguese Governor & during our stay we collected some specimens of Natural Curiosities not unworthy our notice.

On the 10th of the same month we set sail from that place, & on the 13th of November arriv'd at Rio de janerio [Rio de Janeiro]: where instead of being receiv'd as friends & allies of his most faithful Majesty; orders were immediately issued out that every insult possible should be offer'd to the officers of our ship, whose duty oblige them to Land, & as for us (Troubrers Philosophers) we were refus'd to land, on any pretence whatsoever on the peril of being sent to Portugal in irons. A thing I verily believe their absurd Viceroy would have done, had he caught either Dr Solander or myself upon any of our little Excursions.