424 JOHN BARTRAM [1765. 



few lines to let thee know we are all well at present, and have been 

 all winter, God Almighty he praised. 



Lord Gordon was twice at my house last week. General Bou- 

 quet, the Governor, and many of the chief gentlemen came with 

 him ; and yesterday, I waited upon them at the General's. His 

 Lordship is going to Quebec, taking all the sea-ports in his way. 

 He earnestly invited me to go with him in this journey, and he 

 would bring me back again, all at his own expense. At the same 

 time and place, the General as several times before offered to 

 take me with him to Pensacola, to find me a man to wait upon 

 me, and an escort through the dangerous passes, and it should 

 not cost me a farthing. These are very generous offers. I should 

 rather choose the last ; but now can't comply with it. 



I wait to hear further from Europe. We have expected two 

 vessels, and the packet to York, for several weeks. My last letter 

 was dated the 10th of February, mentioning that Lord Bute and 

 the Earl of Northumberland declared that it was necessary that 

 the Floridas should be searched ; and that I was the properest 

 person to do it. How this affair will turn out, I can't yet say ; but 

 I have just wrote to Peter that I must have a companion. 



My eyesight is so well returned, that I wrote this by candle- 

 light, and without spectacles. 



Pray remember my love to brother, sister, and cousins ; which 

 also receive thyself, from thy affectionate father, 



John Bartram. 



June the 7th, 1765. 



Dear Son William : 



Soon after Cousin Smith set off for Cape Fear, I received a par- 

 ticular account that our King had appointed me his chief Botanist ; 

 and I am ordered to go directly to Florida, and I have taken 

 passage in a vessel bound to Augustine, and thence to Pensacola, 

 with my good friend, General Bouquet for whose sake I go 

 sooner than I intended. Perhaps the vessel may touch at Charles- 

 ton. It's some question whether I shall not stay about Augustine, 

 or Georgia, this summer, and perhaps winter in the Peninsula, or 

 East Florida : but I can't yet tell which, till I speak with Governor 

 Grant, and the Superintendent of Indian Affairs, whom I must 

 consult. I am daily waiting for further orders, and recommenda- 



