Letter received by Banks from William Paterson, 23 August 1794 (Series 27.07) - No. 0001

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Port Jackson 23.d Aug.t 1794

Sir

By the receipt of your letter of 23.d June - 93 I am happy to find the few things I sent by L.t Bowen were received safe, but you make no mention of a Box of specimens & a drawing of the [fernal?] plant which you say resembles the Pandanus.  I have to return you my most gratefull acknowledgments for the honor you have done me in sending the few seeds to His Majestys Garden at Kew.  I shall make it my study to send some by every opportunity.  At present I have but few which I have put into your box of specimens those I have collected since my return from Norfolk Island and at present are in very good condition.  I have sent them Cap.t Ravin of the Brittania who is taken up by the Officers of the Colony for the purpose of bringing Horses & Cattle.

I am sure it must give you & every wellwisher of this Country great pleasure to hear of its flourishing state & the quantity of Ground now in Cultivation, which by the Genl. Return is more than 6000 acres, those that run down the country before must be much disapointed from so flattering Accounts.

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