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For reference only
April 28 1803
Sir
I have sent by the Glatton three cases directed to you. One is a large one marked S.P.S.S., it contains 3 cases; one is filled with seeds and divided into 2 divisions, the upper one contains 149 papers of duplicates, the lower 238 papers designed for Kew, and 7 papers of Cryptogamice. I hope that the present seeds will prove acceptable to Mr Aiton; they are different from any that I have sent before, excepting a few that may be added by mistake. Another case is filled with specimens of plants; the initials upon the labels denote as usual; the additional ones B.M. denote Blue Mountains, for the place see my map. B.M.G. Blue Mountains by the river Grose. I went from Hawkesbury with Col. Patterson up the river to this place. The third case contains 77-79 skins, they are chiefly of birds and many of them are common ones, but there are some that I count rare. In the upper part of this are some specimens of plants, in which are about 164 pages of writing, being descriptions of plants, observations in my travels, and other remarks relative to the country. And 2 maps as the delineation of some of my journies. I have also sent a specimen of a fish, not as a new one, but for you to give me your opinion, whether such a method will not answer. I have often thought that I could skin many sorts, and this is my first attempt. It possesses the colors at present as when recent, only in a paler hue. There are likewise some letters. Another is a small square heavy case marked S.E. it is filled with argillaceous earth called here pipe clay, but I think a better specimen might have been procured at Sydney. Of late we have had good pipes made, and I have long ago noticed that here are some likely materials for the establishing a pottery. Where the new earth that Mr Wedgewood mentions was found, I understand is unknown. Another is a small longish case marked S.W. It contains a few specimens of wood, and 4 samples of wheat, for an account of the former I have enclosed a small paper among the rest of my writings. In the latter I have put labels in the papers. I have given you a sample of the best, of the middling, and of the worst, whereby you may make a contrast in the quality, and learn in what manner the farmers here class their wheat. Specimens of wood was what I had long ago thought to have sent, but by one thing or other I had neglected it. But as this is now much talked of I must own it has spurred me up. I have also sent to you a small basket, which is sealed the same as the letter, containing 65 pods of the War'ata, [possibly Waratah] which I have requested for it to be hung up in the cabbin, in a dry place and where it would have a free air. I have sent a box of living plants with the initials of your name cut on one side, a list of them is included with the other papers.
The articles that you sent by the Alexander have come safe to hand, and I have likewise received the Blow pipe that you sent by the Glatton. The gun is just what I wanted, and kills remarkable well, and I trust ere long I shall send you a good collection of skins, as at this time of the year I shall have more time for shooting, and shall not be pestered so much with flies. In the summer time they are very troublesome, and I am afraid that I have plaistered the present skins with too much nitre for to prevent them being des[troyed]