Transcript

(Page 1) on Board H.M. Ship Porpoise Dec 12 [annotated: 11-12-98]

Sir,

I take the Liberty of informing that we are now in Sheerness Harbour after encountering very great Dangers — we left the Nore on Thursday last and had reached as far as Margate Roads on our Passage Round to Portsmouth when lying at single anchor a gale of wind Sprang up — we where obliged to cut the cable and get out to deeper Water but still in so dangerous a Situation as to

(Page 2) lose another Anchor and Cable which occasioned our returning back into Harbour — I have Sir at the same time the Pleasure of informing you that the Garden considering the Situation it has been in looks extremely well — none of the tender Plants are yet dead though the Avinhoa, Lemon Grass and Caper Plants are much on the decline, and some of the other Herbs, every thing else looks as well as when they left Kew — give me leave Sir to return you most Sincerely my grateful Thanks for the Trouble you are pleased to take in my welfare — believe me Sir it will be the Study of my Life to merit your protection

(Page 3) & I hopes Sir J. Banks enjoys a good State of Health — I was happy to hear by Mr Aston's letter you were much better.

on Board H.M. Ship Sir your Porpoise, Sheerness Harbour most Obedient Decr 11th 1798 Servant G. Suttor

(Page 4 — Verso)

Rt Honble Sir Jos. Banks Bart Soho Square London

[Red wax seal]