Letter received by Banks from James Edward Smith, 13 September1786 (Series 72.157) - No. 0002

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Now would it be improper for you to endeavor [endeavour] to persuade him to confide to your care such duplicates as shall be thought proper, without such a transaction being at present communicated to any mortal, & even under condition of their being kept secret as long as he wishes?  I dread horribly the whole getting into the hands of people who will never do any good with it, & who have no right to it.  L'heritier thinks that when his prodromus is published, it will not be worth their asking, but I think otherwise, & apprehend every thing from disappointed envy.  You may smile at my advice, but I hope you will not think it impertinent;  I give it only that you may be aware of all that is going forward.  L'heritier is not so apprehensive about the business as Broussonet, the latter is very uneasy;  nobody else knows any thing of the matter.  The plants are the finest things that can be, just like Mutis's.  There are 3 new Mutisia's, several Barnadesia's,