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[Page 2]
species of wild myrtle some of which I have sent to you dried an infusion of the Leaves of one sort is a mild & safe astringent in the dysentery. We have a large pepper mint tree which is equal if not superior to our english pepper mint I have sent you a specimen of it, if there is any merit in applying these & many other simples to the benefit of the poor wretches here I certainly claim it being the first who discovered & recommended them.
Many of the shrubs are now in bloom & many more have not yet ripened their seed therefore I cannot send you that variety I could wish but I will make it my business during my residence here to send you some by every opportunity should it be pleasing to you.
You are probably surprised I have not given you some account of the Country &c when I have taken the liberty of addressing you at all for this I beg leave to refer you to Capt Hamilton to whom I have given a short sketch of it together with my opinion.
I had forgot to say that the red gum is Produced by two very different sorts of trees & that the yellow gum is the Production of a small tree of the Palmette kind the seed of which I have sent to you, it grows on a stalk from 6 to 12 feet long & very much resembling a cone out of the center of the top of the tree which is from 3 to 7 feet high & the Circumference from 18 to 24 inches the external surface appears as if turned but upon examination its only a black resin