[77]

Montreal Oct[obe]r 18. 1798
Sir
I arrived at Niagara about the beginning of July after a very disagreeable passage of near five weeks from New York according to your desire & took the route by the Mohawk River & Wood Creek to Oswego & then coasted along the sishore i of Lake Ontario. I had frequent opportunities of going on shore & collected many healthy[?] specimens but very few in seed. from Niagara I proceed up to Queenston where I met a most friendley reception from Mr Hamilton ii who took me to his house & gave me the use of two elegant rooms[.] had I not had so good a recommendation I should have been in great distress being a new place there was no decent lodging to be got. As soon as I recover[e]d the fatigues of the voyage I resolved to visit detroit and proceeded as far as fort Erie where several vessels bound up the lakes lay. But I remain[e]d 15 days wind bound. I finding the season far advanced I returned to Niagara without accomplishing the voyage. I often visited york and other adjacent pla<[ces]?> & two days ago I arrived here to spend the Winter[.] my intention is to attempt an expedition up the grand Rivers to Lake Superior with the Traders and return[?] again to Niagara where I expect to be about the end of next Summer. I have sent a box of specimens and a Box of Wild Rice down to Quebec addressed to Mr Blackson[?] to be forwarded and also by Mr Mckenzie iii a small Box containing the seeds of the annexed[.] they are nearly all the remarkable sorts that I have yet been able to collect[.] the Duplicates  I shall send by the way of New York[.] about 14 days ago I write a long letter to Mr Aiton[?].  but unfortunately the Epidemic Fever iv rages again here which will inter[r]upt the communication. I send enclosed for Miss Banks v two small american silver coins which she wanted

i seashore
ii Hamilton Robert 1753-1809
iii Mackenzie Alexander 1764-1820 Sir VIAF ID:10149556
iv Yellow fever 
v Banks Sarah Sophia (1744-1818), sister of Joseph Banks VIAF ID:9353808