Letter received by Banks from William Wilson, 2 July 1806 (Series 23.46) - No. 0001

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To the Right Honorable Sir Joseph Banks
&c &c &c

Honble Sir

The Colony of New South Wales and its dependencies daily rising in importance to the Mother Country, The inhabitants many of whom have never forfeited one priviledge of British Subjects, look homeward with anxiety for encouragement to the industry which is excited among them.  In their remote situation Solicitude for a conservator of their rights, And a promoter of their welfare, naturally directs their attention to you Honble Sir, Who from the circumstance of your assent to the Settlement being made, it is hoped will by a continuance of support not only be instrumental in rendering the Colonists Comfortable in a great degree among themselves, but even by their means of carrying Civilization and all the blessings connected with it, to the thousands of Islanders in their Neighbourhood.

It was by many consider'd a laudable thing and a striking effort of industry when the Colonists had cleard so much of their woody country, till'd and cultivated it, so as to raise more grain than the Colony requir'd.

When they had gone thus far in agriculture they found that in this particular they could