1736.] TO JOHN BARTRAM. 75 



London, April 21, 1736. 



Dear Friend J. Bartram : 



I have now the pleasure to tell thee that I have got subscribed 

 twenty guineas, to encourage thee to undertake thy intended expe- 

 dition ; and as our gentlemen find encouragement, it will be con- 

 tinued annually. This is a pretty sum in sterling money, which I 

 hope will enable thee to supply thyself with necessaries from 

 hence ; or, if more for thy profit, thou may draw for it when we 

 have received thy cargoes. This, I believe thee will think reason- 

 able, that the gentlemen should first see what they have for their 

 money. This I can assure thee, that thee has to do with people 

 that are not unreasonable in their expectations. 



Pray remember two or three specimens of the white and red 

 cedars, and, if possible, pray send the berries, or seed-vessel of 

 each, in particular the white cedar, for the seeds of this I am a 

 stranger to. Half a dozen, per way of specimen, will be sufficient ; 

 for though you call it the white cedar, yet we are in doubt what 

 class it belongs to, until we see its seed-vessels. Thy subscription 

 keep to thyself. Remember the Calceolus Marianus, or Lady's 

 slippers, and Gentians. I refer thee to my former letters, for I 

 have nothing more to add, but my sincere wishes for thy health 

 and safety, and am thy affectionate friend, 



P. COLLINSON. 



Specimens of the Sugar-tree blossom, and more seed. Remem- 

 ber all sorts of Fir and Pine cones, and more Spruce. I am in- 

 formed that the Jerseys is noted for producing abundance of Firs 

 and Pines. I wish thee could procure some specimens of the 

 curious tree in the Jerseys, either the leaves or the blossoms ; or 

 both together, would be better. 



I am delighted with reading thine of the 3d November, with the 

 pleasing account of thy expedition to the mountains, and the many 

 valuable plants thee observed there. I hope thee will make an 

 early expedition into those parts. The Thorn that thee tells me of 

 must be very curious. It is a pity but it should be propagated. 

 It will take easily, if grafted on other thorns in the spring ; which 

 would be the most sure way, for seed does not always keep strictly 

 to the mother plant. 



