540 DOCTOR BOND [1781. 



July 12th, 1781. 



Deak Sir : 



There lately arrived here, after a series of misfortunes, a young 

 Swede gentleman, by name of Gustavus Frederic Hillman, a 

 regular bred physician, a good naturalist and botanist, and was 

 bred under Linnaeus. He appears to me to be a man worthy and 

 learned, and may be of great use in this country, in many respects. 

 I think he might be of sendee to your neighbours, as a physician, 

 and to you, in your botanic collections. As you have a large house 

 and small family, if it was not inconvenient to you to let him have 

 lodgings with you, for a short time, I am persuaded you would be 

 much pleased with his acquaintance ; and it would be a great gra- 

 tification to a very distressed, but worthy character. If he has not 

 a favourable answer from you soon, he will be obliged to re-embark 

 for Europe. 



Washington is actually advancing towards New York. 



I am your very respectful friend, 



Th. Bond. 



Philadelphia, Aug. 24th, 1781. 



Dear Sir : 



I find a letter I wrote you, some time since, concerning Mr. 

 Hillman, was not come to hand. He is since engaged in the 

 Pennsylvania Hospital. 



The Opium you sent, is pure and of good quality ; I hope you 

 will take care of the seed. Several of the botanic plants Gerard 

 sent, have grown, but the greater part failed. There is one very 

 fine plant of the Jala,}). The Gfentian did not grow. The garden 

 seeds mostly grew ; some of them are an acquisition. I wrote to 

 Mr. Martin, about the seeds you mentioned, but have not received 

 an answer. 



There is not the least prospect of peace. A very large fleet will 

 be here, that is, on the coast, in a few days. I believe Cornwallis 

 in Virginia, will be their object ; 'tis too late for New York. We 

 expect the grand French Cavalry here, in a few days, on their way 

 to the southward. 



I think it will be best to make another collection for our friend 



