Letter received by Banks from William Bligh, 17 December 1791 (Series 50.17) - No. 0003

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1st of November, but on my inquiry I do not find that the Pandora Captain Edwards touched there, and is of course gone round Cape Horn. - I have been detained here a fortnight longer than intended, to enable me to gain sufficient health and strength to pursue the voyage with success - at present I am but an invalid, having a slow Nervous fever & at times a distressing head ach and never totally free of it - a convulsed motion in my eyes gives me great pain, and writing becomes a labour to me but on the whole I have no doubt of being perfectly well by the time I get to Otaheite which will be about the last day of April - I shall sail from thence the beginning of August. -
Nothing can answer better than the two ships, & every thing is doing well. I have every idea that I shall end so & bring you good tidings in Summer 93. I find my usual spirit about me & we shall now go on without difficulty. - I shall make the land about the East part of New Guinea & persue my route on the south side of the Coast to the Westward, always in sight of land while it does not carry me to the northward too much out of my way.
A report was brought from the Mauritius that some vessel from Batavia has been near New Britain, & had seen the Natives in French clothing, from thence a conjecture is spread that Mr de la Perouse was lost there, but I find this report came from Captain [John] Hunters People