Letter received by Banks from Francis Masson, 2 June 1790 (Series 13.46) - No. 0001

[Page 1]

Cape of Good Hope 2nd June 1790

Sir

I have the honour to writ you last by Mr Fryer late Master of the Bounty who sailed from this, some days ago in a Dutch Ship.  He took charge of two small parcels for you: one of Bulbs containing 20 Sp. and another of Seeds containing 40 Sp.  I have a great collection of Seeds and Bulbs yet on my hands the latter of which I have been obliged to plant, and have little hopes of any opportunity to send them home before next year.

I have enclosed in this letter 4 seeds of STRELITZIA lutea on a presumption that you have never seen the Seed of that Genus, one of the most beautiful in nature. I have a flowerishing plant of the other Sp. which I have often thought of sending home but having no duplicat of it I wish to bring it home under my own care.

I am sorry that you have disaproved of the two small journies which I made into the country, you may be assured, be asured that I did not undertake them for any gratification to myself - but only for the good of the service; for in the neighbourhood of the Cape during the months of August, September, October & November little can be collected but Bulbs viz Ixia, Gladiolus, Iris &c so that I thought a small journey into the warmer regions of the country might be useful as I always returned by the middle of Novr. and had it in my power to investigate the cape mountains in the season when they were are in the highest perfection.  I shall now give up the Idea of any more journies in the country and confine myself to the Southern Promontory but I cannot help expressing a wish which I hope you will acceed to, that is, exploring the mountains towards Cabo de Agulhas which lies more to the S. than Capo de bon Esperanza.