Letter received by Banks from William Westall, 31 January 1804 (Series 23.44) - No. 0003

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opportunity of going to India which I ought by no means to lose;  and if I did go he said he would undertake (as he was very intimate) to make my excuses to you.  I cannot enough acknowledge the attention that Gentleman has shewn me since my arrival in China (which encreases my obligations to you, for I believe Mr. Lance has been attentive to me, merely because I was by you appointed).  What I have seen of the country about Canton I am entirely indebted to him for:  he has given me letters from Mr. Drummond and the Committee to the Governors of Ceylon, Penang, Madras & Bombay, and in short it is entirely by his advice and direction that I did not immediately return with the sketches, which before I had seen him I had fully determined.