Letter received by Banks from WilliamBligh, 4 June 1788 (Series 46.23) - No. 0005

[Page 5]

No. 21

but the Dutch are now very strict, no one can go in the country without a pass. - I have only heard that Mr. Mason is here & well. -

With respect to myself & ships company no people can be in better in health or spirits. - It will give me the greatest satisfaction to be favored with a few lines from you in my return to St. Hellena or Jamaica - August 1789 will certainly be the latest time of any arrival at S. Helena.

I have from the French Captain that when he left the Isle de France, a Capt Barclet or Barcley was there who had been on the Fur Trade from America to China & sold to a great amount - had sold his Ship to the Portuguese & was in his way home as Passenger. That he had been at the Society & Sandwich Islands where the Natives had supplied him plentifully wth. provisions. — I never heard anything of this Man & therefore imagine he has sailed from Ostend or Dunkirk

I have only now Sir to assure you of my utmost exertions & confidence of success, & wishing you the most perfect enjoyment of health by leave to subscribe myself
Dear Sir
Your faithful & most obliged
Humble Servant 
Wm Bligh

Sir Joseph Banks Bart.