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Mar 31 1797.
Sir
I am sorry to hear of your bad state of health & the danger the Colony is in of losing in consequence of it so usefull an Officer but we must hope for the best, Govr Philip who was so ill when he left Sidney as to feel little hopes of recovery is now here in the command of a Man of War & keeps up his usual good character as a Seaman of superior abilities.
The specimens & the Drawings you were so good as to send me by Col Grose came safe to my hands & I thank you for them the seeds you mention as having intended to send for Kew we are in daily hopes of receiving. the Kings Garden has of late been very ill supplied from New South Wales but better times I hope are now approaching.
The prosperous state of your colony gives me infinite satisfaction I who always knew that the Soil was good & the Climate excellent confess I felt for the depravity of human nature when I read the scandalous representations which were made in print against the country I had no doubt that what has happened would happen that those who misrepresented it would in due time lose credit & the Public be convinced that the Colony must finaly succeed.
I note your wishes to become a Fellow of the Royal Society but during your residence abroad I believe it to be impossible when you return your chance of receiving that & other
Capt Patterson