CHAPTER VIII 

 BLIGH'S VOYAGES 



EARLY in 1787, it was determined that an 

 Expedition be undertaken to the South Seas, 

 with a view to collecting Bread-fruit trees 

 for transplantation in the West Indies. 

 Meanwhile, the idea had spread in the Islands, and more 

 than one correspondent informed Banks that the French 

 were determined to adopt a similar measure for their own 

 possessions. As it happened, the British Government 

 was forestalled in this experiment ; for a ship arrived at 

 Martinique in the following year, with a cargo of Bread- 

 fruit, cinnamon, and other plants in good order. 



By the desire of Lord Sydney, Banks drew up instruc- 

 tions for David Nelson, the gardener. As a specimen of 

 many similar documents, which Banks was always careful 

 to write out for new collectors, it is introduced here in full. 

 With its close detail, and abounding knowledge of what- 

 ever was necessary, it is a remarkable indication of his 

 general ability to deal thoroughly with any matter he had 

 on hand. And it is not without intrinsic interest as 

 concerning the task in question. 



" As the sole object of Government in chartering this 

 vessel in our service at a very considerable expense is to 

 furnish the West Indian Islands with the Bread-fruit 

 and other valuable productions of the East, the master 

 and crew of her must not think it a grievance to give up 

 the best part of her accommodations for that purpose. 

 The difficulty of carrying plants by sea is very great : 



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