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Nov 29 1771
Sir,
I fear you may think my applying to you in this way an instance of impertinence; but knowing your earnest desire to benefit mankind, by promoting every branch of real knowledge in the most extensive manner, I am willing to hope you will excuse, what proceeds with great sincerity from the same motive.----Whilst different men, in private life, are attentive to the improvement of particular branches of Science, one would wish that a Voyage undertaken with such great and extensive views as yours, should be a means of collecting a variety of materials, from whence every one might be able to glean somewhat for his assistance, and information, in his pursuits.-----I am persuaded therefore, Sir, your candour will excuse my endeavouring to suggest to you a few hints, in order to extend your enquiries, on the ensuing Voyage; even tho' it should chance that you have already made the matters suggested the objects of your attention, in the last: since it may also have happened, on the other hand, that some on them at least may have hitherto escaped your particular notice.----
The Enquiries I would beg leave to suggest are these.-------
1 ----- What Burning Mountains there are in New Zealand, or in other parts; & what apparent remains of such: and whether all, or any of those, mentioned by Dampier,on the Coast of New Holland.etc, still burn-