Letter received by Banks from Francis Masson, 22 May 1787 (Series 13.34) - No. 0001

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Cape of G: Hope 22 May 1787

Sir

My last was by an American vessel bound to St. Hellena, [St. Helena] by which I sent a box of Seeds containing 138 Sorts addressed to the Governor to be forwarded by him to England, but I see. the vessel is drove back into this bay by stress of weather.  Since: the Barrington is arrived in B. False and by her under the care of Sir John McPhearson I have sent dupplicates [duplicates] of about Sixty Sorts of which is Annexed a Catalogue.

I have great difficulty in sending my collection home as so few English Ships have touched here & most of them in B. False, and all Crowded with Passengers.  I am in such friendship with the Governor as to get any thing send home by way of Holland but I have no corresponded there to receive them.

I mentioned to him the unfortunate circumstance then that I had not yet received any letters from home & he has been so good to give me leave to address my letters to him, by way of Holland.