Copy of a letter written by Banks to Mr Say, 'the printer of the Gazetteer', June 1772 (Series 06.002) - No. 0004

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in the state in which he at first refused her and that nothing but his whimsical and fickle disposition, prevented him from sailing in her
With these illiberal falsehoods were the Ears of a great personage constantly [filled?] who deceived by them, ceased to protect Mr. Banks as he had formerly done, to expose the absurd as they are in themselves I shall however & a [indecipherable] almost  too absurd to answer, yet will I separately enquire into each article, in order to shew the  publisher by what underhand and wicked means, the most publick spirited undertaking was rendered about
1st that the alterations were all made at Mr. Bank's request. The whole only alteration proposed by that gentleman which could possibly affect the ship was raising the deck over the Cabbin about 11 inches after which the same deck was by order of Mr. Bank's enemies extended the whole