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His Majestys Ship Porpoise, Spithead August 18th 1799
Sir Joseph
I cannot make any apology of delaying writing to you so long, when it was an object you particularly wished for when I left London. I am now worse wearied than ever with remaining here so long; but now I am told it will not be long before we sail. These hurrys are now nothing new to me with being disapointed so often, indeed, I shall now not think, that we are upon our voyage until we are quite out of sight of the Lizard or the Lands end. If it is a fact of the French fleet having put into Brest, we cannot suggest that we are detained by them now, and as for the secret expedition, when a proclamation is issued, we cannot think that an embargo will long continue. I have been in most parts of this Country, but nothing scarce worthy of communicating to you can I meet with. Numberless of miles I have travelled, and all to no purpose; indeed the weather has been so wet, that I was often obliged to give up my pursuits. I was a few days since in Selsey Island, looking for Geranium robertianum, [var 3, of Dith.?] which Mr Curtis once cultivated as a distinct species, under the name of saxatilis, but the wetness of the weather prevented me from finding it, if it still remains in that island. I would fain have visited Bognor rocks, but durst not, on account of the ship sailing, as the Captain told me he daily expected to have orders. Rather than remain here, I would rather go to any part of the World. I am a true patriot to my place of birth, but when I am from it, I do not wish to spend an idle minute, for in my opinion, all men that are inclined to travel, when they are from home should make the best of their time. I must certainly grant, that if this part was well explored, it would make a copious Flora; but if anything new is to be found in Britain, it is in the mountainous parts, for as I have observed before, few are they in comparison, that have climbed the rugged rocks on the lofty mountains, which are the only places that we have left for new discoveries. The following is a list of certain plants that I have met with in the vicinity of Portsmouth & the Isle of Wight. The figures, 1 denotes common about Manchester, 2 scarce about ditto, 3 scarce here, or at least I have only seen them very sparingly Augt 24