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[Page 1]
[A version of the letter on page 16.39]
Duplicate [Date in Bank's hand] Aug 29 1800
HM Ship Porpoise Cape of Good Hope
Sir
Agreeable to your request I do myself the honor of Writing to you from the Cape of Good Hope at which place we arrived on the 2nd of June after a passage of eleven weeks in which we experienced much bad weather - it is with the most painful concern I mention that the greatest part of the Plants on Board have perished, one of the chief causes whereof is the considerable length of time they have been on Board for though they in General looked well we were off Maderia. I have Reason to believe they were decaying at Root, and that in passing through the Hot Climate the earth became sour. These were evils for which I had no remedy - another great disadvantage was the smallness of this ship, which being very deeply laden exposed the garden to the continual washings of the Sea whenever we had any bad weather. I was in consequence obliged to keep them close Battoned down at times for several days together - believe me Sir I sincerely lament the loss but rest asured proof of care are needless to convince your just and generous mind that every exertion in my power was made in order to preserve them. at the same time I have the pleasure to inform you that the greater part of those that are perished can be replaced here Hop plants are here also a number of Sorts of grape Vines with which I am well supplied - Govr King had left a letter with Sir George Yonge in which letter I was ordered to wait on His Excellency and consult