276 PETER COLLINSON [1766. 



all I had, and many other curious American plants, too long to 

 mention. But we are now getting an act of Parliament to punish 

 them, by transporting them to you, which you will not thank 

 us for. 



The last letter I received from thy father was from Savannah 

 town, September 28th, and it came to my hands January 15th. * 



* * I shall be glad to hear he is safe come home. From thy 

 friend, 



P. COLLINSON. 



P. COLLINSON TO JOHN BARTRAM. 



London, March 26th, 1766. 



I received my dear John's letter of September 28th, highly 

 delighted with the rich cargo that the letter promised, but, (sad 

 story to tell !) when I came to see Captain Arbuckle, he said no 

 such box directed for me was put on board him. But he promised 

 to search everywhere ; and next time I saw him could find nothing, 

 and was sure that there was no such box put on board him. Think, 

 my dear friend, what disappointment and vexation I was under at 

 this great loss. The only way to have prevented it lay at thy 

 door ; and that by having a receipt of the captain for the box, and 

 inclosing it in thy letter to me. Then I should have demanded 

 the box with authority, and made him pay damages if it was lost ; 

 but now I had only thy letter to show, and that he did not regard, 

 and said thou might intend to put the box on board, but never 

 did it. 



The boxes of seeds came all safe and well, and thy son had 

 packed them very careful. I was pleased to find he was so capable 

 to supply thy place. * One trouble seldom 



comes alone, for it gives me much concern to hear of your trouble- 

 some, dangerous journey, from Georgia to St. Augustine. It was 

 a great pity you attempted it at so unseasonable a time. 



Thou vexes thyself and me with perpetual complaints, thinking 

 it is in my power to redress them ; but really it lays too much at 

 thy own door, in being so hasty for the expedition. Thou should 

 have staid and got two or three hundred pounds beforehand, and 

 then set out. But, as I told thee before, if thou lives, and the 

 King lives, thou will be no loser, so pray do not tire me any more 



