Transcript

(Page 1) New South Wales Nov 12. 1812

Sir,

Trusting you may not be displeased to hear from this distant Colony I take the liberty of troubling Sir Joseph Banks with a letter, happy if I can therein convey any useful information — if not beg you will receive it as the offering of a grateful mind.

The Native which your humanity fed and clothed in England returned in health to his native country; the polished Manners and comfortable living of Englishmen made but a slight impression on his mind — a few days after landing he left my house which I wished him to have made his home, made away with all his clothes and a fowling piece which Mr Brown had given him for some Peach Cyder and returned to his countrymen and native life. So difficult and almost impossible it is to reconcile those people to a civilized life, but much more any thing like industry. The Natives have been pretty peaceable — their depredations in the last two years have been confined to the cornfields

(Page 2) nor has Governor Macquarie been troubled with a native war — the son of a Mr Luttrell lost his life by one of them it is said in a quarrel about one of their women, as no other white person was present it was difficult to tell who was the aggressor and no example was made

Considerable alterations and improvements have been made in the Colony during my absence in Roads and Buildings. Governor Macquarie who I believe to be a good man has done much for the public prosperity. Provisions of all kinds are plentiful — of Wheat there is a superabundance — the crops last year were very abundant and they have now a very promising and luxuriant appearance — —

The chief causes of complaint are the monopoly of spirits and the wretched colonial currency — these are evils loudly and justly complained of — colonial currency or bills are at sixty per cent discount and are often drawn by such worthless characters as to prove of no value at all. The increase of cattle and sheep have been very great in the last two years — the sheep have in the last year added to their number fifteen thousand and the wool much improved —

(Page 3) a quantity of the wool is now shipping in the Harbour for England and large quantities remain on hand wanting an exporter — though it would be valuable in England it obtains no price here — six pence and nine pence per pound is the most I have heard being offered for it — — — I had the good fortune to land from England four Date Palms and an Olive but regret that two of the dates died since landing — the olive and the other two I have growing. The Locusts flowered last year — some Hop Plantations are in a very thriving state and good quantity of Hops have been gathered

Hope Sir Joseph Banks will excuse my troubling him with my private feelings and that on behalf of my numerous family his goodness will excuse the impertinency — Governor Macquarie has been in some cases indulgent to my family and will I hope be my friend could but Government be induced to consider my case — The favour of the Governor goes mostly to the persons on the other side of the question — a yet report says his mind is much altering since reading the Trial — Mrs Suttor begs with me that Sir Joseph and Lady Banks also Miss Banks will accept our best wishes for their health and happiness.

I have the honor to be Sir your most Humble Servant Geo. Suttor

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The Right Honorable Sir Joseph Banks Bart Soho Square

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