Copy of a letter received by Robert Brown from Banks, 30 August 1804 (Series 66.06) - No. 0001

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Letters for King                                 
No. to Robt Brown.                    

Soho Square
Aug. 30. 1804

Dear Sir

Poor Flinders is a Prisoner & I fear not very well treated, he put, in the Little Cumberland, into l'Isle de France for Water & Provision & some repairs, wholly ignorant of the War, the Governor - unwilling I suppose to beleive that any Person would venture upon so long a Voyage in so small a Vessel, accusd him of being a Spy & maltreated him, his letters sent by stealth to the Admiralty state all this, but conclude in saying that he was when he wrote them rather better treated, all means possible have been taken here to promote his Release which as the French are great favorers of Science & as the Ship had a Pasport will I hope in time  be effected.

I conclude that if you have not proceeded on your return to Europe before this comes to hand that yourself & Mr. Bauer will get a Passage in the first Government Vessel that returns, you will have exhausted all your neighborhood & the Southern Isle where I conclude the Plants are very different from those of Sydney.

12 Knigs of your Specimens sent home by the Calcutta have been sent to my House by the Admiralty a few days ago, for safe Custody, I shall take care of them & be particularly cautious that no one shall inspect or handle them till your return, 4 boxes of Seeds were also on board for Kew Gardens which have been forwarded to Mr. Aiton.

No mention is made in any letter that I have heard of poor Peter Good, we are told by Mr. Allen the Miner who returned in an Indiaman, that he died at Port Jackson, which I fear has been the case, the Seeds sent home by you of his