Letter received by Banks from Thomas Clark, 25 June 1802 (Series 23.14) - No. 0001

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Honor'd Sir,

Excuse the liberty I take in troubling you with a few propositions on the Colony of New South Wales which I I believe in time may be made a powerful Colony, (and perhaps the Brazil, Peru or the Mexico of the English) if encouragements are given to it.

I have long thought if something was introduced there that would do for live hedges in that Country it would be of infinite service as nothing there is fit for the purpose, and many things here might be taken out that would do for it as Hawes of the White thorn, Holly berrys, Crab Tree pipps, Beech nuts, Privy seed, Acorn of the Bak & many other things that might be mentioned &c.  I think the Country can never be so servicable for cattle without it, & the timber there will not produce post & rail for fencing as it does here therefore the more need for live hedges besides I beg leave to offer a few more things the first is the Tea Tree whither if planted there would not be servicable if could not be dried as the Chinese do it, the next is the Olive Tree which I suppose you be very beneficial for Oil as that Country will not produce butter as this Country does being much hotter & dryer, Cork Trees also I propose to introduce, Pine Trees also of those kinds that are proper for masts & yards or any other that might be approved of might be easy raised to any Quantity of Acres & in a certain number of Years furnish the Colony & royal Navy with any quantity of timber fit

June 25