Letter received by Banks from Christopher Smith, 11 February1800 (Series 16.07) - No. 0002

[Page 2]

would be practicable to send them to Jamaica, I am of the opinion these plants will in time become of the greatest importance as an article of food for the inhabitants of that Island.

By the next conveyance (which will be soon) I will send you a large collection of Seed & Specimens - I would Send them by this Ship, but there is no room, unless I would put them in the Hold, along with the Spices; but this I did not deem advisable as the great heat of the Spices, in all probability would destroy them.

Captain Nash has taken charge of twelve Birds of Paradise and a small quantity of the Royal