135 
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BOTANICAL EXPEDITION TO NORTH AMERICA. 
MELANCHOLY LOSS OF THE COLLECTORS, MESSRS. WALLACE AND BANKS. * 
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Probably many of our readers remain yet unaware that a mission, for the 
exploration of an extensive district on the North- West Coast of North America, 
with a view to the discovery of new botanical treasures, and the enrichment of 
British collections with the seeds of the rarer kinds of those already obtained from 
that country, was instituted by subscription in the early part of the last year ; two 
young men being then deputed from Chatsworth to the arduous, and as the event 
has but too painfully proved, perilous undertaking. 
Conceiving that much of the ground traversed by the late Mr. Douglas, with 
other land on which no English botanist has hitherto planted foot, presented an 
inviting and prolific field for research ; and impressed with the incalculable 
importance to British arboriculture, and British interests generally, of an extensive 
accession of valuable forest trees, as well as with the great desirableness of acquiring 
any other kinds of ornamental plants which, procured from such latitudes, must 
eventually prove hardy here ; we were induced to design an expedition to those 
regions, the expenses and proceeds of which were to be shared by a select number of 
subscribers. This project, upon being promulged in November 1837, was imme- 
diately countenanced and supported by all the more influential and distinguished 
patrons of horticulture, to whom application was made. 
Under these auspices, and having in great kindness and confidence the whole 
conduct of the proceedings intrusted to ourselves, we selected and prepared two 
intelligent, active, and enterprising young men (names, Robert Wallace and 
Peter Banks) from the gardens at Chatsworth, who left London in one of the 
Honourable Hudson's Bay Company's vessels for New York, in March 1838, 
carrying with them every requisite and comfort for their voyage, and every 
facility for the promotion, as agreeably and successfully as possible, of the objects 
of their subsequent tour. 
We may embrace this occasion to declare publicly the handsome manner in 
which the gentlemen officially connected with the Hudson's Bay Company 
afforded every assistance in their power towards the accomplishment of our 
enterprise. At all times ready to sanction and further any measure tending to the 
advancement of science, these gentlemen have manifested a disposition to advance 
the ends of this expedition which is beyond all praise. We need only cite the 
following letter of introduction, furnished to its unfortunate members by the 
governor here, and which we must also state was fulfilled to the last, in its spirit as 
well as to the letter, by the gentlemen to whom it was addressed, to convey a 
better idea of their munificent behaviour than any language we can employ. 
