Letter received by Banks from George Burder, 13 October 1809 (Series 23.08) - No. 0001

[Page 1]

Hatton Garden Oct. 13 1809

Sir

The Missionary Society has so frequently experienced your kind exertions in their favour that they are encouraged once more to solicit your attention. 

It has been found expedient, on all accounts that their Missionaries at Otaheite [Tahiti] should be married; for which purpose some of them have repaired to Port Jackson, & have married very agreeably.  But, there are very few single women there, suited to become the wives of Missionaries.  On this account, Mr Bicknell, who went thither, with a view to marrying, found it necessary to return to England.  He is about to marry & then return to Otaheite by Port Jackson.

But the Society wish to provide wives for the rest of the single men, now resident on the island, without being at the enormous expense of

Oct 16