io6 
SIR JOSEPH BANKS. 
Brown was therefore present at the inauguration of the first settle- 
ment at Risdon Cove under Lieut. Bowen ; he was also one of the 
original founders of the settlement at Sullivan’s Cove (the modern 
Hobart) under Lieut. -Col. Collins. Thus he is an historical personage 
as regards Tasmania, and it is hoped that any manuscripts of his in 
regard to these early settlements will be published, whether they are 
fully understood by the owners or custodians or not, as (considering 
the man who wrote them), they must contain valuable observations. 
He writes to Banks from Sydney, 12th December, 1804,* and this 
letter supplements that of 4th March, 1804, from Sullivan’s Cove 
(Hobart). He says he has found 540 species in Van Diemen’s Land, 
and expects about 100 to be nondescript. 
On 5th November, 1804,f Lieut. Menzies writes to Governor King 
that Mr. Brown is up the north branch (the Williams River) of the 
River Hunter. 
In a letter to Banks, 12th December, 1804,J Brown mentions that 
since his return from Van Diemen’s Land he has visited the Hunter 
River and examined all the branches,§ as far as a very small boat 
could proceed. He speaks of the unfriendliness of the natives. “ The 
excursion has added fifty species of plants to my collection, but in 
other departments absolutely nothing.” 
Brown visited the Grose River, New South 4Vales, on at least two 
occasions : — 
“ Mr. Brown and Bauer, &c., visited the confluence of the Grose, 
Nepean, and Hawkesbury, and were indefatigable.” (King to Banks, 
9th May, 1803). |j And again — “ Since my last letter,*" I have, as 
well as my strength would permit, examin’d the banks of the Rivers 
Grose and Hawkesbury, and added a few new species to my herbarium.” 
(Brown to Banks, 21st February, 1805).** 
Bromi’s letter to Banks, thus quoted, is veiy interesting. He 
had finished the first eight (Linnean) classes, which, “exclus've of 
Graminece and C.'perorde;n contains upwaids of 1.000 species.” 
He sends a number of interesting plants, with critical notes on a new 
genus, and on Azolla. 
He writes to Banks from Liverpool. 13th October, 1805,tf reporting 
his arrival in England “ after a tedious and uncomfortable passage 
of nearly five months ” in the “ Investigator.” 
Thus ends Brown’s voyage to Australia and back. Not many of 
his letters have been preserved, but the few quoted give some account 
• Hisl. Rec., V, 509. 
t V>., V, 483. 
: Ih„ 510. 
S Presumably including the Williams and Paterson and .\llyn Rivers. 
1 Hint. Rec., V, 133. 
• The “ last letter ’’ to Banks in Hist. Rec., v, 509, is 12th December. 1804. 
•• lb., V, 559. . 
i^v., 711. 
