16th May, 1799Letter received by Banks from George Suttor confirming the safe receipt and planting of all the specimens sent down by Banks
Transcript
(Page 1) H.M. Ship Porpoise Spithead 16-5-99
Sir,
I take the Liberty of informing you that I this Day Received and Planted the Plants Sent Down — 2 Olives, 2 Carobs, Lemon Grass, Spring Grass, Cactus, Ginger, Strawberrys and Campher Plants — all of which arrived without the Smallest injury and it is with pleasure I acquaint you Sir that the Garden is Really in a Flourishing Condition — the Vines, Hops, Apples, Pears, Peaches, Nectines, Nuts, Herbs and indeed every thing is in the Most Healthy State — permit me Sir as a humble and trifling return for the many Favors I have received from you, since I am about to leave my Native Country, to give you my most Sincere thanks, believe me Sir it is the thanks of a Heart Sincerely grateful and which will ever remain so for your goodness — my Wife to begs you will accept
May 16,
(Page 2) the grateful acknowledgments of her Heart — your Liberality has been the Means of making us truly Happy and Comfortable — and since my good Fortune has made me an object that you are pleased to be Concerned for — it will always be my first object to render myself worthy your good Opinion which I hope I shall always be so fortunate as to enjoy — one thing more Sir I must intrude upon you that is — Heaven has Blessed me with a young Boy and, both my Wife and Son are in a fair way — G.S. is happy to hear Sir Josepht Banks enjoys a good State of Health — hopes Lady Banks, Miss Banks and Mr and Mrs Aupiere inherit the same Blessing that they and you Sir may long enjoy — the sincere wish of
May 16th 99 Sir your Most grateful much obliged and Most Obedient Servant G. Suttor