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[Page 2]
hangs directly under it - they then use a kind of Shuttle, which they put thro the Threads, thread by thread, one above & the other below - there are other like instances which might be mentioned, have, induced me to think it not impossible, but there may, some time or other, & somehow or other, have been a connexion before the continent of America & New Zealand, & not only New Zealand but the Islands in the Pacific Ocean. A careful attention to, & with much knowledge of, the most essential & permanent customs-rites & ceremonies of the people you are abt. to visit & others You will probably discover, or the most likely means to throw light on this subject. I heartily wish you may have power & opportunity to do this - incited by these hopes, & encouraged by your kind promise of communicating any observations you shall make, I am determined to collect from the most authentic Auths [authors] the progress of the several nations of the world from their original dispersion so that by placing their several manners & custom in our point of view, there may be a probability of [referring?] the nations, hitherto little, or not at all know, when thoroughly discovered, to their original [indecipherable] I think it almost impossible for any people to undergo so total a metamorphosis, as to lose every feature of their progenitors.
But enough of this for the present - it is now time to wish you & Dr. Solander, a prosperous & successful voyage & as happy return to yr friends & country - which I do with all the sincerity my heart is capable of expressing I begin to wish you at Sea & that only to wish Yr return. I have long felt a certain uneasiness that my situation in life will not permit me to share in so glorious an enterprise. Yr first Voyage & discoveries will transmit Yr fame to posterity; a record, attended with equal & perhaps greater success will render you immortal that you may both be so, is the devout wish of Your Affectionate friend & Obedient servant W. Sheffield
P.S. I have sent 4 Insect boxes with [Ayton's?] man who goes to the cape & shall esteem it a particular favour if you will permit some of your people to put here in any duplicates they may catch. I need not mention happy I shall be in receiving any tokens of yr remembrance in the natural history way - & hope to have one line from you before you leave England - Dr Solander has every good wish I can send him [indecipherable]