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Dr Sibthorp presents his most respectful complnts to Mr Banks and Dr Solander, and could have wished for the opportunity of paying his Respects personally to them, & with that view calld both at Mr Hodgkinsons & at Captn Banks, where He left a note on presumption had not greater engagements interfered He might probably been favord with yr satisfaction of seeing im, if but for a few mints. He begs leave to assure the Resolute Brave no one wishes im every attainment of their most ardent hopes, and trusts Mr Banks will put ye most favourable construction on ye Apology He intended for his conduct in submitting Baron Halley caution; which He really considers the Linnean System ye lest fallible, & most durable, but considering ye longness of ye Fish too complex & scientific for such only as would read as they run, & have not leisure for yr most nice Enquiry.
The Doctor further begs leave to assure Mr Banks, when he expressed his wishes that Mr Sheperd might be of his suite, it was not frm any information, but on confidence only that that Gentlemans affection for his Patrons Honour & Health wd prompt Him cheerfully to undergo any difficultys with Him, as well as from some notion He entertained heretofore of visiting the Colonys, neither by yr expediency urged of providing duplicates of Friends as well as plants was any insinuation meant of any more extraordinary danger than in every three year India Voyage or colder Climates more salutary than yr ethic Extream.
Whenever Mr Banks puts his hand on Hallers Letter He begs yr favor under cover He wd send it either to Mr Sheperd or his son at Fetherstone Buildings, who will transmit it to Him; ye Dr was in hopes of meeting Mr Hodgkinson yesterday at our common friend in Dukes Street. who in his excursions fm town had ye pleasure of seeing sundry of Mr Banks late acquisitions in a favorable state of vegetation at his old friend Gordons one of the 3 eminent Gardiners. Dr [indecipherable] ye Consul brought up & proposes visiting Aiton to morrow in his Route to Alford where any commands will be most cheerfully obeyd. Sunday morn. 16 Febry