Letter received by Banks from William Westall, 31 January 1804 (Series 23.44) - No. 0001

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Ship Carron Canton River

Janry 31. 1804

Sir,

As my returning to England direct for the purpose of executing the sketches that were saved from the Porpoise must appear absolutely necessary. I shall lay before you the principal reasons that have induced me to take India in my rout home.

I am sorry to say the voyage to New Holland has not answered my expectations in any one way for though I did not expect there was much to be got in New Holland, I should have been fully recompenced, for being so long on that barron coast, by the richness of the South Sea Islands which on leaving England I had reason to suppose we should have winter'd at instead of Port Jackson. I was not aware the voyage was confined to New Holland only had I known this I most certainly would not have engag'd

Augt 11 1804