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[Page 4]
the Gardiner told me this, I soon guessed the reason. A little while before the Glatton sailed, the governor came up to Parramatta, and sent for me, to acquaint him what boxes that I had to send by her, and also their dimensions & marks, as he meant to make Capt. Colnet [Colnett] to give him a receipt. When I mentioned the box of living plants, he asked me what mark I had put upon it, I told him the initials of your name, with that says he,"Now you will write to Sir Joseph and tell him that you have sent him 15 or 16 boxes." As I had now an opportunity to refute his ideas, I told him I should only acquaint you of one, for I scorned to take the least fame away from him, in what he was sending. Upon this answer he could not help saying in a jocular manner, "that he did not mind if I took it all, for he did not care any thing about it. When I delivered my box, I found that the Governor had ordered his to be marked with the same initials, which no doubt, he thought I had imitated him, and tended to increase his suspicion. I believe there were 19 boxes sent, but out of that number I only saw 3, which were collected at Parramatta, viz. 2 besides mine. In these there were some plants unknown to the gardens. But the Sydney ones I was told, that many of them were thought to be common in the gardens.
I am glad that Mr Brown will remain some length of time here; but am sorry to state the death of Mr Good, which happened a few days after the arrival of the Investigator; & it is to be lamented, that she is unfit for to complete the voyage. In some respects, I flatter myself that I may benefit Mr Brown, in shewing him the most likely places for to meet with new plants. And as one person is obliged to pay attention to the compass, many are likely to be overlooked, which has hitherto been the case with me. On the other side I know I shall be much benefitted by Mr Brown, for in general until the present, I have had nobody to discourse with upon the same pursuit, for want of which the pleasures of the study are obstructed.
I am as always your most
faithful & humble Sert
G Cayley