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1786
Cape of G. Hope Feb 6 1786
Sir
Some days past I wrot you by a French ship for P. L'orient by which I acquainted you of my arrival here on the tenth of last month. I waited on the governor who is a very good man, and delivered the Embassador's letter. but as there is an order from D. company not to allow any more strangers to explore the country, he tooke some days to consider and after takeing the advice of the council he granted my request, only proscribing me from visiting any of the Bays. Since, the War a low ignorant spirit of Jealousy exsist still amongst the Cape inhabitants, whose minds were greatly prejudiced against the English by the artful insinuations of our enemies. The inhabitants have lost the simplicity of manner for which they were so much admired, and nothing prevails now but pride vanity & extortion. There is no collection or collectors or any lovers of natural History here at present. I think considering the above circumstances it will not be agreable to remain here above one year, and I am of the opinion in that time to be able to collect seeds of most plants in the circuit of 40 miles. I have been several times on the T. Mountain & collected seed of about one Hundred sp. of plants which I send by Mr Irvin Passenger in a Danish ship of which follows a list
I am Sir ever you most obedient humble Sert
Frans Masson