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For the Voyage they are placed under the immediate Care of the Ship's Steward, who is an intelligent three parts Gardener & who is dilighted with receiving the Kind
Captain's permission to act in this Office of Ship's Gardener on Board the Thames; for this service I have permitted promised him a small reward in Case he brings back your Certificate that he has attended to his Charge with Care and Fidelity ------
Sir Joseph Banks has forwarded you another Remittance of Dollars by this Fleet, of Course you will account to him in the clearest way possible as I have done with your 
Salary up to this date: his Kindness & Mr. Lance's favourable representation to benefit you are highly satisfactory to me[;] and above all the King has frequently inquired after you and keeps you in his Remembrance ------------
You have loaded me with your Kind presents of delicious Teas. I am very sensible this must have given you much Trouble ad Expence. I therefore value your very friendly intention exceedingly: but I must beg your attention in this way may be very cautiously bestowed -------     You will receive by The Thames a small Box with a good Copy of Richard's Species Plantarum, which is certainly the best Edition extant.          Mri  Willdenow has published so far his Sp. Pl. up to the End of Syngenesia[.] I have sent you a Genera plantarum & an incomplete set of the Hortus Kewensis for your acceptance which I found in a Bookseller's in London. for your acceptance
Thunberg's fl Japonica & Kaempher, I will send you whenever I am able to procure them. Do not fail to direct if I can be of any use to you in this way.
My Mother & Family write their best respects to you 
	with my Dear Sir 
			    Yours very sincerely & faithfully
				signed W.G. Aiton

[This is a continuation of the letter begun on page 255]

i    The salutation is an afterthought squeezed in at the far right of the line. I have restored it to its customary place.