Letter received by Banks from David Collins, 8 July 1800 (Series 72.017) - No. 0001

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Sir,

          The polite Attention with which you have honoured me since my Return from New South Wales, can not certainly form a sufficient Essence for my taking the Liberty of addressing you a few Words on the Subject of my private Affairs.  A Subject on which I should ever have been silent, however highly advantageous to the Person possessing it, I have at all Times considered your Protection, had not the unexpected Death of my Patron Lord Sydney, at a Moment when his Influence was  about to be executed in my Favour, compelled me to throw myself on you Sir, for the Patronage I have so untimely lost in his Lordship. I

Sir Joseph Banks

[In margin]
July 8