[266]

Copy of a Letter to Earl Powisi.

My Lord/
I am distressed having been out when your Lordship did me the honour to call at to my house, owing to the stupid & confused delivery of the message rec[eive]d by your my servant namely, that I was to expect your Lordship at Kew the following morning.  and in obeyance of to your lordships wishes, I have directed a basket to be packed by the careful hand of McNabii, containing the Lettuce Treeiii & other plants according to the enclosed list. McNab has written to the porter in Berkeley Squareiv particular instructions to forward the basket for to Walcotv with despatch and I shall be happy I may be informed of their to hear of the safe arrival of the plants.

I have the honour to be
being
Royal Gardens    )		My Lord
Kew. Nov 8th 1809)		your Lordships most obed[ien]t humble ser[van]t
      Signed. W.T. Aiton.

i Edward Clive, 1st Earl of Powis (7 March 1754 - 16 May 1839) aka The Lord Clive. Politician.  Eldest son of Robert Clive, 1st Baron Clive ("Clive of India"), and Margaret born Maskelyne. He married Lady Henrietta, daughter of Henry Herbert, 1st Earl of Powis, in 1784. 
ii William McNab (1780-1848), horticulturist. In 1799 he obtained a situation in the gardens of the Earl of Haddington at Tyningham in East Lothian. His character and abilities were quickly recognized and, after only fourteen months, he was recommended to William Aiton for a position at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew. He commenced employment there on 12 March 1801, aged twenty, and became foreman in 1803. 
iii Pisonia alba, Pisonia brunoniana
iv The London home of the Earl of Powis was at 45 Berkeley Square
v The country home of the Earl of Powis was at Walcot Hall, Shropshire