380 SIR JOSEPH BANKS. 



Majesty's Ministers, a passport for a ship intended to be sent 

 to Trinidad for the purpose of bringing away a collection of 

 living plants deposited there for fear of capture. I hope, 

 my Lord, that this request will be readily granted. The 

 credit Europe has given to the English for having brought 

 useful plants from the South Seas to their colonies in the 

 west, has fully shown that all good men respect the extensive 

 benevolence of increasing the food of mankind, by removing 

 useful plants to countries where Nature has not provided 

 them ; and our amiable Monarch has set the example of 

 sending useful plants from his Botanic Gardens to the East, 

 to the West Indies, and to Africa. 



" Besides, my Lord, the very application virtually offers, 

 during the horrors of a war unprecedented in the * mutual 

 implacability of the parties engaged, an unconditional armis- 

 tice to science ; surely, my Lord, such an offer should not be 

 neglected ; the ready acceptance of it may be the signal of 

 the return of the dawnings of good will towards men, and 

 produce consequences, in the present position of Europe, 

 valuable beyond appreciation to all the nations who in- 

 habit it. 



" I have the honour to be, my Lord, with due respect 

 and unfeigned esteem, 



" Your Lordship's obedient, 



humble servant, 



"Jos. BANES." 



SIE J. BANKS TO M. CHAEEETIE. 



" SlE, " August 10th, 1796. 



" I have great pleasure in acquainting you that I am 

 now fully empowered to deliver to you the collection made 

 by M. de Billardiere, in order to their being put on board 

 the next Cartel ship, and conveyed by you to that gentle- 

 man. 



" If you will do me the honour of calling in Soho Square, 

 at any time to-morrow before twelve o'clock, I shall have 

 great pleasure in consulting with you on the proper mode of 

 packing them safely for the voyage., and also on the time 

 which you choose to have them conveyed to the place from 



