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Augt 14 1802
Mr Caley
My health has been so precarious the whole of the Last year that I have not been able to make use of several opportunities by which I should had I been well have written to you. I have not been able to write since June 22 1801. I am better in health now than I have been & likely I hope to Continue so.
Everything you have yet sent I have recd Safe & tho I cannot say that much addition has been made by them to my Collections. I am satisfied with your diligence & industry & Confident that if you get into a Country where new Plants are to be met with you will send me home matters of more importance your description of Plants do you Credit Tho Roughly Drawn they show an attention to the structure of the Plants you have describd from which a Botanist of Perfect Education may derive advantage.
The Gum you have sent is a merchantable commodity tho rather too high Colord if it can be procure in Quantities like it may be an Object for an [indecipherable] in a Cargo. The wood can not be valuable from its quality of producing much lye unless a Manufacturer of Pot ash or Peet ash could be set up with you.
The Bird Skins came in a good order & Could be [indecipherable]. Thomson who Stuffs birds for the British museum was able to make very good use of them there is not however any occasion for you to take the trouble preserving the Eye. The best antiseptic I know is allum that I conclude you can get the next is wood ether your Skins however do not want better prepared.
I am sorry to hear of your discontent of the situation & the Country you are in cannot be agreeable. I trust you will make the best of it & I think you seem to do so. I have written to Govr. King to desire him not to interrupt you but to let you do as you please. I sent you out to act as a free man in New South Wales & after having collected for me [indecipherable] things I want & the best [indecipherable] for yourself as a free man I have no doubt you will do better both for me & for yourself than if you follow the opinions of other people.
As you find 15/- a week too little to