Letter received by Banks from Bryan Edwards, 9 June 1793 (Series 20.25) - No. 0001

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Devonshire Street

9 June 1793

My Dear Sir

Doctor Dancer seems to me to give you a great deal of trouble, & puts you to (not a little) expence in postage. - will you permit me to give him a hint not to let his zeal prove too nimble for his judgement. I know the man, and well remember that his visits to me, became at length so many visitations  - He means well no doubt, and I hope the plants he has procured, will be acceptable; - but it will be impossible (I should suppose) to distribute any of them to his friends. - It would have the strangest appearance imaginable, as if the refuse only was intended for the King.

I observe in the list some plants of the star-apple.  This is one of the most delicate fruits in the world, and is I believe a native of Jamaica; but it is remarkable that I never met with the tree in any of the Windward Islands, nor did the Gentlemen there know the fruit, - I should think it would be a valuable present to them - 

As I leave town tomorrow morning I am afraid