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		Copy of a Letter to Mr. Kerr Canton
	
Dear Sir

			I had the satisfaction of writing you by the spring Fleet last year acknowledging the Receipt of the rich Collection of China plants by the Henry Addington under the Care of Mr Allen and which arrived in very good Condition at Kew, & are flourishing exceedingly in His Majesty's Gardens. In my last letter I mentioned all the Kinds that died on the Voyage & all the particulars, I thought proper necessary to refer to that Collection, as well as regarding the great Transport of Fruit trees and Garden Plants of this Country forwarded for you in the Hope Indiaman Capt .Pindergrass &c.&c. -------
The Plants sent Home in the Winchelsea Capt. Campbell arrived in very bad order owing to the sad tedious tempestuous Voyage: every attention and anxiety for their preservation was given by the good Captain to favour their condition but the difficulties at Sea are very severe and especially in Stormy Weather when no person can be spared to watch over the plants. At this Time our greatest Expectation is blasted and destroyed. To obviate this Calamity Sir Joseph Banks has wisely intended to represent to the East India Company in order to request that a Chinese Gardener may be sent Home in future with every Collection of plants to His Majesty's Gardens at Kew & who will return with a Freight of European Garden Plants for China    ----
   I have now shipped on Board the Thames Captain Mathew Richardson the Greenhouse Cabin well repaired with fourteen large Boxes containing nearly the same Collection as forwarded you last year agreeably to the enclosed Catalogue & nothing can exceed the good and well prepared Condition of these plants. ----

[This letter is continued on page 256]