Series 11.04: Letter received by Banks from Charles Clerke, 10 August 1779 - No. 0001

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Resolution at sea 10 Aug 1779

My ever honoured Friend

The disorder I was attacked with in the King's bench prison has proved consumptive, with which I have battled with various success, although without one single days health since I took leave of you in Burlington street; it has now so far got the better of me that I am not able to turn myself in my bed, so that my stay in this world must be of very short duration; however I hope my friends will have no occasion to blush in owning themselves such, for I have most perfectly & justly done my duty to my country as far as my abilities would enable me, for where that has been concerned, the attention to my health which I was very sensible was in the most imminent danger has never swerved me a single half mile out of the road of my duty; so that I flatter myself I shall leave behind that character it has ever been my utmost ambition to attain, which is that of an honest & faithful servant to the Public whom I had undertaken to serve.

I have made you the best collections of all kinds of matter I could that have fallen in our way in the course of the voyage, but they are by no means so compleat as they would have been had my health enabled me to pay more attention to them; I hope however you will find many among them worthy your attention and acceptance, in my will I have bequeathed you the whole of every kind there are great abundance so that you will have ample choice.

I must beg you to present my warmest & most affectionate compliments to Dr Solander & assure him I leave the world replete with the most social ideas for his much esteemed & ever respected Friendship.

I must beg leave to recommend to your notice Mr Will. Ellis one of the Surgeon's mates who will furnish you with some drawings & accounts of the various birds which will come to your possession, he has been very useful to me in your service in that particular, & is I believe a very worthy young man & I hope will prove worthy of any services that may be in your way to confer upon him.