Letter received by Banks from Sir James Lahe, 28 November1786 (Series 72.109) - No. 0003

[Page 3]

If the Author of that Letter to you is Dr. Gordon of Cambridge I have had the pleasure of seeing him several times;  Whenever you write to him I wish beg my particular Thanks & Comps. [compliments] and I do not despair but that some time next year I may have the oportunity [opportunity] of thanking him in person.  I have now taken up so much of your time & your patience amidst the numerous avocations in Business you most have, that I will haste to a conclusion, but must first claim your attention to a trifling matter:  an Inhabitant of our Northwest Territories, has missed a good Master in not being added to the collection of Sr. Jos: Banks, but for a very good reason I find it is, that he may spoil that good harmony which subsists between two of His own Species in your posession [possession], probably he would, for he is very wild & at present appears untameable.  I need not say it is the Beaver I speak of, who has fallen to my care & I wish to know how you feed yours, one I had formerly, was so domestic, that, he would partake of our plumb pudding & other of our daily fare, but the one I have now is too delicate in his appetite, to take freely of vegetables we offer Him, tho I suppose that is his his proper food, & I wish to know of what sort in particular yours seem fond of.  It is most probably, needless for me to say any thing on