Letter received by Banks from David Collins, 20 July 1804 (Series 23.16) - No. 0003

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proceed at once through Storm Bay Passage, round the South Cape of this Island, [indecipherable] away to the [space] make a quick Voyage to the Cape of Good Hope.  I shall be very anxious to have this tried by the first whaler which may fill here.  As the Derwent was found to abound with whales in Septr last;  I have no Doubt but those which have been here since the Beginning of June, will remain here until that Month or until October:  if therefore Government would with Ships which bring out Prisoners &c., equip them for whaling upon government Account, a valuable Return would soon be made, to balance the Expense attending sending them out.

I know no one to whom I could so properly [indecipherable] the Advantages attending an Arrangement of this Nature than to Sir Joseph Banks, as I am sensible that if he sees it in the same Point of View with myself, he will give the Circumstance, which I mention in my Dispatches to Lord Hobart, the full weight of his countenance & Approbation.

I have put on board the [Ocean?], for Mr. Home, a small Cas[e], containing the Uteri of two female Kangaroos, and I have also given in Charge to the Master, a live