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Sir Joseph,
Upon considering by not answering your letter dated Oct. 3d you might be led to imagine whether it had come to hand; for letters directed to people a few miles from a town are generally left at some public house in the neighbourhood till called for, as probably trusted to be deliver'd by a careless person. By knowing of these inconveniences, it was necessary for to have returned an answer as it was delivered.
You are certainly right in your opinion of bearing my passion better than I expected; for when I received your letter dated July 18th I nearly gave up all hopes, which caused my mind to be in a perturbed state; however I now return you thanks for the two five pound notes and the other promises. It would be needless for me to point out the difficulties that a person must endure by travelling in a country inhabited by uncultivated beings; you have had a specimen from experience; but was you to insense one of all the obstacles that were likely to be met with, would not at the present lament me in the least; it would on the contrary, elate my spirits the more to pursue my natural inclinations. Whoever is desirous of visiting a foreign clime, with an intent to search into the mysterious works of Nature, should strife to lay aside all fear.
I learn that the two persons that are going to Bot. Bay [Botany Bay]; the one is to be a market gardiner, the other a nursery man, both to be kept by Government for three years, and at after that period to gain their own livelihood. As the Nursery business is to be established there, we must expect that the greatest source is to be derived from England, by the introducing of new plants, for I cannot see that
Novr. 13 - 164