Letter received by Banks from William Bligh, 7 July 1791 (Series 50.04) - No. 0001

[Page 1]

Providence at the Nore
July 7th 1791

Dear Sir

          I fear that you have been surprised at not hearing from me - it has been owing to the very unsettled state that I have been in, and not being able to give you an account of our sailing.  At present I am waiting for the Marines & orders to proceed to Portsmouth. The ship will answer to my most sanguine expectation when I have taken in a little more iron ballast, but at present she is rather, (what we call) crank, that is, lays rather too much down when under Sail. -  I hope my orders will be ready by the time we get round to Portsmouth, Yet I suspect I must trouble you to put the Admiralty in mind of us. - The Gardners are doing very well. -  The order for their being borne as Supernumeraries must be dated 25 June as they are entered on the 26th upon the Ships Books . -  I am complete in my Ships Company & shall only have to pay them their advance & Bounty at Spithead. -  My mind is now once more on the stretch to do my duty, & I have the fullest confidence that in Feby 1793 I shall be at Jamaica.  Sensible of your kind & good wishes I am with the greatest regard
Dear Sir Your obliged & Affect. Hmble Servt
Wm Bligh

Sir Joseph Banks Bart