Letter received by Banks from William Bligh, 12 September 1803 (Series 58.26) - No. 0002

[Page 2]

being at the Board I wrote to him on the application, & said I was always ready & had accepted what Capt Markham had proposed.  His Lordship's Answer was very flattering and full of approbation - but is not strange My Dear Sir that they could not have given me a Ship on this Station from whence they would long ere this have got every information they regained.

I got here on Friday, but as yet no Cutter or Boat is to attend me, which I attribute to Lord Keith to whom their Lordships wrote to give me every assistance.  I wrote to him, & his Answer was, he had been personally sounding in Cutters, & had given orders at Deal to supply me with all I might desire - of this I have reported to the Admiralty and have begun the Land part of my Survey. 

Dungyness is 4 miles from this, over a Gravel Neck of land where we sink above the Anckle every step, and the walking is laborious.