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Mr. Bauer did not accompany me to Van Diemen's Land, which upon the whole perhaps is not to be regretted, as he would doubtless had ample employment here & during last Winter was, I learn, uncommonly fortunate in the detection of new species of Orchideae. A very few days before my return to Sydney he embracd an opportunity of visiting Norfolk Island where he still remains.
In a short time, the Investigator now cut down & repaird will sail for that Island & I intend taking a passage in her in expectation that she will remain there nearly a fortnight in which time I shall be able to do a good deal in so small a place.
I need not say how anxious I am to hear from you & to learn something of Capn. Flinders, who left this in so small a vessel that we are not without fears for his safety.
Coll. Patterson saild with his establishment for Port Dalrymple upwards of two months ago. As yet we have had no accounts from him. I wish I could speak favorably of that place, but as far as I can judge from an examination of the vicinity of its shores very little is to be expected from it..
It is now too late to repeat the request for a supply of Paper which I took the liberty to make in several of my former letters: the collection now sent however will show how much I stand in need of that indispensable article & the greater part of what still remains is nearly wore out by frequent use.
May I beg to be most humbly rememb'd to Mr Dryander Mr. Correa Mr. Bauer Mr. Barry &c.
and believe me to remain
Dear Sir
With the highest respect
Your most oblig'd & faithful Servt.
Robert Brown