212 JACK'S LETTERS TO WALLICH, 1819-1821. 



descriptions would occupy. I am therefore thinking of a general 

 view of the Natural History of the Eastern Islands, to which the 

 descriptions will be an appendix. It will take me some time to 

 execute this up to the plan I have in view, but I think I shall be 

 able to get sufficient materials, and it will be a pity not to make 

 use of them. I am very glad you had an opportunity of mention- 

 ing the circumstances about the Frenchmen to Lord Hastings. I 

 have heard very little about them lately: they will probably sink 

 into merited insignificance and there let them rest. 



I read your letter on the subject of timber plantations with 

 much interest. I wish however, to have from you some of the 

 collateral history of it. that is to say, of the circumstances which 

 called for it etc. 



The teak forests in Java were a very important object of at- 

 tention, and I believe there were sonic able Reports made on them. 

 I mean to see if I can rummage them out among Sir Stamford's 

 papers, and if I find anything in them likely to be interesting to 

 ou, I will let you know. 



I send this up by Capt. MacKenzie, a brother of Holt Mac- 

 Kenzie: 220 he is appointed resident of Singapore, and goes up to 

 Calcutta previous to taking charge. I imagine he has no chance 



of seeing you in Calcutta, but if it should so happen, I should 

 wish you to see him, and he is equally desirous of paying you a 

 visit. 



This vessel goes round by the Straits of Sunda. and we expect 

 another here soon on its way to Calcutta direct, so I shall write 

 again and more at length by that occasion, and may perhaps in the 

 interim receive some more of your letters. 



Lady Hastings has requested me to send a Hortus Siccus for 

 the Edinburgh Museum, which of course I must do, and I shall 

 take care that at least the things be neatly put up and in good 

 paper, which perhaps are points that are better understood than 

 the value of the specimens. Were it not that it would be as 

 well on Sir Stamford's account to keep her in good humour, I 

 should hardly be induced to take even that trouble for any atten- 

 tion I have ever received, or good I am ever likely to get from her. 



I shall conclude with best regards to Mrs. Wallich and your- 

 self and am always, 



My dear Wallich, 



Yours very truly, 



William Jack. 



220. Buckley says {Anecdotal History, i. p. 64) that in September, 

 1820, there was sent to Calcutta "by the hand of Captain Holt M 'Kenzie, 

 the Secretary to Government at Bencoolen, then on his way to Bengal" a 

 petition against the dreaded abandonment of Singapore. Jack's state- 

 ment above is divergent in showing that it was the Captain MacKenzie — a 

 brother of the Secretary to Government in Calcutta Mr. Holt MacKenzie — • 

 who proceeded to Bengal. 



Jour. Straits Branch 



