Guide to the Papers of Sir Joseph Banks
MS 9
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Created: 2002
Collection Summary
- Creator
- Banks, Joseph, Sir
- Title
- Papers of Sir Joseph Banks
- Date Range
- 1745-1820
- Collection Number
- MS 9
- Extent
- 2.16 metres (9 security binders + 1 folio packet + 1 map folio)
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- Special Collections (Manuscripts)
- Abstract
- Approximately 300 documents, comprising correspondence and papers of Sir Joseph Banks. In addition to letters, papers and speeches by Banks, there are letters to Banks from some 83 people, including Lord Bathurst (2), David Collins, W.B. Conyngham (5), Alexander Dalrymple (3), James Fleming, Georg Forster (20), J.R. Forster (5), John Hunter (4), Philip Gidley King (7), Lord Nelson, William Paterson (5), W.P. Perrin (11), William Perry (5), William Petrie (7), Arthur Phillip, Lord Radnor and Lord Sandwich. Also contained in the collection are memoranda and journals of Sarah Banks. Topics covered include general botanical and zoological matters, descriptions of conditions in the colony of New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land, publication of the accounts of Cook's voyages, and correspondence with the Viceroy of Brazil while the Endeavour was held up in Rio de Janeiro.
Introduction
Scope and Contents
The collection contains approximately 300 documents, comprising correspondence and other documents of Sir Joseph Banks. The documents originating with Banks include letters and copies of letters, speeches, notes and minutes of meetings. The remainder of the collection includes correspondence addressed to Banks from some 83 people, including Lord Bathurst (2), David Collins, W.B. Conyngham (5), Alexander Dalrymple (3), James Fleming, Georg Forster (20), J.R. Forster (5), John Hunter (4), Philip Gidley King (7), Lord Nelson, William Paterson (5), W.P. Perrin (11), William Perry (5), William Petrie (7), Arthur Phillip and Lord Radnor. Also contained in the collection are memoranda and journals of Sarah Banks.
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is available for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions. For such material, written permission to publish must be obtained from the copyright holder(s). Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.
Preferred Citation
Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of item], Papers of Sir Joseph Banks, National Library of Australia, MS 9, [item number]'.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
In a codicil to his will, dated 7th March 1820, Sir Joseph Banks left the care of his papers to Sir Edward Knatchbull, the nephew of Lady Banks. In 1828 Knatchbull passed over to the British Museum the bound volumes of foreign correspondence, but he retained the rest of the papers in the expectation that an official biography would be written. He died in 1849 and, following the death of Lady Knatchbull in 1882, the ownership of the papers passed to their son Edward Knatchbull Hugesson, 1st Baron Brabourne. In 1884 Lord Brabourne offered the papers for sale to the British Museum but, when no agreement could be reached on a price, he sold many of the Australian papers to the New South Wales Government. They are now held in the Mitchell Library at the State Library of New South Wales.
Most of the remaining Banks Papers were sold on behalf of Lord Brabourne by Sotheby's on 11 March and 14 April 1886. One of the successful bidders at the sale on 14 April was E.A. Petherick, the London agent of the Melbourne bookseller George Robertson. He bought 20 lots, including a number of drafts of Banks' letters, his thoughts on the manners of the women of Otaheite, the hints of the Earl of Morton, and the catalogue of drawings and portraits by John Webber. It was unfortunate that Banks' correspondence was divided into several lots on an alphabetical basis. Petherick bought the four lots comprising letters of writers whose names started with C, F, K and P.
In 1909 Petherick returned to Australia and later in the year he transferred title in his large collection of books, maps, manuscripts and pictures to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Library. Most of the Banks Papers held in the National Library at MS 9 were originally in the Petherick Collection.
Banks was a prolific correspondent and throughout the twentieth century letters that he had written or received were sold at auctions in London and elsewhere or appeared in dealers' catalogues. The Library has bought a number of letters at different sales and assigned them distinct manuscript numbers. The collector Sir Rex Nan Kivell also bought several letters of Banks at London sales and gave them his own NK numbers. His collection was purchased by the Library in 1959. At a later date all the manuscripts in his collection were given manuscript numbers, as well as numbers within the MS 9 sequence. For instance, the letter of Mungo Park can be cited as MS 9/117 or MS 4004, while its original Nan Kivell number was NK 5837
On 23 July 1985 Sotheby's in London sold many of the papers of Banks' friend John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich. Sandwich was First Lord of the Admiralty in 1771-82 and was closely associated with the second and third voyages of Cook. The National Library bought three lots at the sale and the collection was given the number MS 7218. It includes nine letters written by Banks to Sandwich in 1782-84.
Existence and Location of Copies
This collection has been digitised, and is available online through this finding aid.
Related Materials
In addition to the main Banks collection, the National Library has a few smaller Banks manuscript collections which were received from various sources and other manuscript collections (including microfilm copies) which contain letters or other materials relating to Banks.
Arrangement
This finding aid has been created to bring together in a single listing the Banks material which is held by the National Library in a number of different collections. The series listing is based on an original finding aid for the main collection, MS 9. The order and numbering of the original finding aid has been retained. Some items were listed in the original finding aid for MS 9 but also have their own collection number. In such cases, both numbers are supplied, with the MS 9 number given precedence.
Separated Materials
The State Library of New South Wales has extensive holdings of Banks' papers. These are available online at http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/banks/.
Holdings of Banks' papers held in the United Kingdom have been filmed as part of the Australian Joint Copying Project. The main filmed collections are contained in Part 8. Miscellaneous series as follows:
Papers of Sir Joseph Banks, 1768-1820, British Library. Reel M1192.
Correspondence of Sir Joseph Banks, 1768-1819, Botany Library, British Museum. Reel M2662.
Correspondence of Sir Joseph Banks, 1773-1815, Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England. Reel M469.
Biographical Note
Joseph Banks was born in 1743 and was educated at Harrow, Eton and Christ Church, Oxford. While attending Oxford University, the death of his father in 1761 left him a wealthy man and provided him with the means to follow his lifelong interest in exploration, botany and natural history.
Banks became one of the most influential men of his time and was a passionate advocate and active supporter of voyages of discovery and the expansion of knowledge in the natural sciences.
In 1766 he travelled to Newfoundland and Labrador as an independent naturalist and shortly after his return in 1767 was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society.
In 1768, he obtained permission to accompany Captain James Cook on an expedition to Tahiti organised by the Royal Society to observe the Transit of Venus. This expedition on HMS 1768-1771 was to become Cook's first voyage of discovery. The expedition collected specimens from South America, Tahiti and New Zealand before reaching Australia in 1770. The expedition sojourned in Botany Bay between 28 April and 5 May 1770 and from there proceeded to navigate and chart the East coast to the Torres Strait. The expedition returned to England in 1771. In 1772 Banks undertook an expedition to Iceland. Although Banks did not participate in any further expeditions, he took a keen interest in Cook's later voyages and had an active role in publishing accounts of the voyages. He was also involved in most of the British voyages of discovery in the Pacific, including Bligh's voyage on the to obtain breadfruit from Tahiti for transportation to the West Indies, and Matthew Flinders' voyage on the which further advanced the charting of the coast of Australia. He sponsored many expeditions and sent botanists to all parts of the globe, including Australia, India, Africa, the East Indies and South America, many of them at his own expense.Banks maintained a lifelong interest in the Pacific, in particular Australia. He advocated the establishment of colonies on the East coast of Australia, and after the founding of the settlement at Port Jackson, he became, through his myriad of contacts, the acknowledged expert on matters relating to the colony of New South Wales. He encouraged further exploration of the area and corresponded with a wide range of people, including the first four Governors of the colony.
Banks held many influential posts. He became President of the Royal Society in 1778, a position he held until his death in 1820. He was one of the founders of the Royal Horticultural Society, Superintendant of the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew, a member of the Board of Longitude and a member of both the Trade and Coin Committees of the Privy Council. He was a Trustee of the British Museum and his herbarium became one of the foundation collections of the Museum's Botanical department. He actively supported scientific endeavour and made his unparalelled natural history collections and library available to researchers.
He was created a baronet in 1781. He married Dorothea Hugesson in 1779 and died childless in 1820.
Item Descriptions
Series 1. Correspondence and papers of Sir Joseph Banks
Sir Joseph Banks. Extracts from the transactions of the Royal Society relating to sending people to observe the transit of Venus in 1769, 5 June 1766 to 9 June 1768 (Item 1)
Subseries 2a _ 2u. Sir Joseph Banks. Correspondence, together with replies, sent to the Viceroy of Brazil while the lay in Rio de Janeiro, November 1768
These manuscripts comprise the rough drafts by Banks of memorials to the Viceroy of Brazil requesting permission to make natural history observations in the neighbourhood of Rio de Janeiro, dated 17 and 18 November, 1768, together with fair copies of them; also rough drafts for a memorial, which evidently was not submitted. The replies by the Viceroy are originals, that of the 18th November being in Portuguese only with translation by Banks, that of the 20th November is in Portuguese and English and is accompanied by a contemporary transcript of the English version. The manuscript throws additional light on the episode of the Viceroy's refusal of permission for the scientists to land.
"Memorials sent to the Viceroy of Brazil with their answers while the lay in Rio de Janeiro" (Item 2a)
Sir Joseph Banks. Memorial by Joseph Banks to his Excellency Count Rolim, Viceroy and Captain General of the Estates of Brazil. Dated on board his Britannic Majesty's Ship of War in the Port of Rio de Janeiro, 17 November 1768 (Item 2b)
Sir Joseph Banks. Rough drafts of the memorial sent to the Viceroy of Brazil on November 17th 1768 (Item 2c _ 2f)
Reply by Viceroy "Pro memoria do Conde de Azambuja Vice Roy do Estado de Brazil em reposta da do Snr Cavalliero Joseph Bancks [sic]", 18 November 1758 [i.e. 1768] (Item 2h)
Translation of the Viceroy of Brazil's reply of 18th November 1768. (Item 2i_j)
Note that Item 2j is an envelope.
Sir Joseph Banks. The memorial of Joseph Banks Esq to His Excellency Count Rolim Vice Roy and Captain General of the Estates of Brazil in answer to his Excellency's of November 18, 19 November 1768 (Item 2l)
Sir Joseph Banks. Draft of reply to the Viceroy of Brazil's letter of November 18, undated. (Item 2m _ 2n)
Note that Item 2o is a note by E.A. Petherick.
Reply by Viceroy, "Pro memoria do Conde Vice Roy do Estado do Brazil em reposta da do Snr Cavalliero Joseph Brancks" [sic], 20 November 1768 (Item 2p)
Note that Item 2q is an envelope.
Sir Joseph Banks. Letter to Earl of Morton, Rio de Janeiro, 1 December 1768 (Item 3)
Letter describing the voyage from Plymouth to Madeira, where he made collections of plants and of marine zoology at sea; describes the hostility of the Portuguese in refusing to allow the Endeavour party to land in Rio de Janeiro. Banks expresses his frustration at the inactivity and is sending copies of letters sent to the Portuguese Viceroy and the replies.
Sir Joseph Banks. Thoughts on the manners of [the women of] Otaheite, written in Holland for the amusement of the Princess of Orange, 1773 (Item 4 _ 4e)
Written at the request of Count Bentinck, in 1773.
Sir Joseph Banks. Account of the bills for Omai, undated. (Item 6)
One of the items is a bill for Oedidee amounting to (UK pounds)46.16.3
Sir Joseph Banks. Account of the presents intended to be sent to the inhabitants of the South Sea Islands, undated. (Item 7)
Sir Joseph Banks. Expenses on account of Omai in 1774, undated. (Item 9)
Banks' handwriting on outside only.
Sir Joseph Banks. Expenses incurred on account of Mr Omai in the course of the year 1775, undated. (Item 10)
Sir Joseph Banks. Expenses incurred on account of Mr Omai in the course of the year 1776, undated. (Item 11)
Sir Joseph Banks. Goods that Captain Cook may carry out for the benefit of the Society at large, undated. (Item 12)
Sir Joseph Banks. Things intended for Omai [and] Things intended to be sent to Oedidee, undated. (Item 14)
Sir Joseph Banks. Addresses to the Royal Society, London the first on being appointed to the Chair and later addresses on presentations of the Copley Medal, 1778-1796 (File 15a _ 15z, 15(1) _ 15(20))
Sir Joseph Banks. Notes for an address to the Royal Society, London on being appointed to the chair, [1778] (Item 15a)
Sir Joseph Banks. Notes for an address to the Royal Society, London on the awarding of the Copley medal to Samuel Vince, 1780 (Item 15c_15k)
Sir Joseph Banks. Note by Joseph Banks on the transfer of assets to the British Museum and requesting approval for the transaction. (Item 15l)
Sir Joseph Banks. Notes for an address to the Royal Society, London on the awarding of the Copley medal to R. Kirwan, 1782 (Item 15n _ 15q)
Sir Joseph Banks. Notes for an address to the Royal Society, London on the awarding of the Copley medal to John Goodricke and Hutchins, 1783 (Item 15s _ 15v)
Sir Joseph Banks. Notes for an address to the Royal Society, London on the awarding of the Copley medal to Edward Waring, 1784 (Item 15x _ 15(2))
Sir Joseph Banks. Notes for an address to the Royal Society, London on the awarding of the Copley medal to Benjamin Thompson, 1792 (Item 15(6) _ 15(7))
Sir Joseph Banks. Notes for an address to the Royal Society, London on the awarding of the Copley medal to Ramsden, 1795 (Item 15(9) _ 15(12))
Sir Joseph Banks. Correspondence between Sir Joseph Banks and C. Pancoucke concerning the paper used for the publication of Cook's 2nd and 3rd voyages, 1778 to September 1783 (Item 16 _ 16r)
Comprises 8 letters exchanged between Banks and Pancoucke, a Paris bookseller, concerning the cost, quality and procurement of the paper for the publication of Cook's 2nd and 3rd voyages. Some of the letters have enclosures containing information obtained from third parties. The bulk of the correspondence is dated between August 1782 and September 1783. However one document, entitled "Account for paper for printing translation of Cook's 2nd Voyage" is dated Paris 1778 and one enclosure, a letter from Pancoucke to Elmsley, is dated 10 September 1781.
Sir Joseph Banks. Letter to J.R. Forster, Soho Square, London, 22 January 1783 (Item 17)
Letter to J.R. Forster in answer to Forster's letter of 6th July, 1782 concerning the repayment of loans of money. See MS 9/78h. Banks is surprised at the contents of the letter and did not expect this refusal of a demand which had been delayed so long. He does not accept the opinion of the lawyers and magistrates and has therefore instructed Durcking to commence proceedings against him.
Sir Joseph Banks. Minutes of a meeting held at Lord Sandwich's house in order to facilitate the finishing of the charts supposed to be delayed by misunderstandings between Dalrymple, Capt. King and Lieut. Roberts, 5 December 1783 (Item 18 _ 18a)
Comprises a list of agreed responsibilities entitled "Considerations relative to the charts intended for the publication of Captain Cooke's voyage"
Sir Joseph Banks. Instructions to two Botanic collectors, James Smith and George Austin who sailed in the for New South Wales, 1 July 1789 (Item 19 _ 19d)
Sir Joseph Banks. Introduction, to an unnamed person, of the bearers, Mssrs. Vere and Hill requesting that they be allowed to visit "your botanic garden", 29 July 1792 (Item 20)
Sir Joseph Banks. Letter to Lord --- concerning Grenville's shipwreck and the effect of icy conditions on navigation in the North Sea. Soho Square, London, 27 December 1799 (Item 21 _ 21a)
Sir Joseph Banks. Manuscript copy of a letter to Capt. Matthew Flinders, Soho Square, London, 10 April 1803 (Item 22)
Received with satisfaction reports of the success of the first part of the survey. Comments that the French will not be serious rivals. Mentions the proposed settlement at Port Phillip Bay and regrets not having received Flinders' charts and journals which will be needed by the ship being fitted out to found the new settlement.
Subseries 23(1) _ 23(6). Sir Joseph Banks. Six letters, 1803-1815
Sir Joseph Banks. Letter to William Herschell introducing a Mr Valentine and asking that he be allowed to view his apparatus. Soho Square, London, 5 May 1803 (Item a)
Sir Joseph Banks. Letter to Henry Ellis regarding customs of the ladies of Knights of the Garter, Spring Grove, 10 July 1812 (Item b)
Sir Joseph Banks. Letter to [Frederick] Robinson regarding Comptroller of the Mint, Soho Square, London, 21 July 1815 (Item c)
Sir Joseph Banks. Letter to Richard Westmacott concerning subscribers to the Duke of Bedford's statue, Soho Square, London, 22 June 1816 (Item d)
Sir Joseph Banks. Manuscript copy of letter to Capt. H. Waterhouse, relating to the introduction of Spanish sheep in New South Wales. Soho Square, London, 8 July 1806 (Item 24)
Copy of draft reply endorsed as being in Waterhouse's hand follows the letter. Published in Historical records of N.S.W., Vol.6. p.109-10.
Sir Joseph Banks. Letter concerning botanical specimens, Soho Square, London, 1 March 1819 (Item 25)
Thanks the addressee for specimens received and congratulates him on his activity. Banks will derive credit for having recommended so useful a superintendant to the specimen garden. Looking forward to receiving more specimens in future.
Note re physical location: this item is tipped into MS 8152.
Sir Joseph Banks. Manuscript copy of three letters sent from Lord Howe at the Admiralty, on behalf of George III, accompanying presentation copies of the history of Captain Cook's last voyage, to the King of France, the Empress of Russia, and Dr. Benjamin Franklin, [1784] (Item 26)
3 letters on one sheet. In the letters to the King of France and Dr. Franklin, appreciative reference is made to the fact that, although these countries were at war with England, they forbade all molestation of Captain Cook. In the letter to the Empress of Russia, acknowledgement is made of the assistance rendered by the Russian settlements in Alaska.
Sir Joseph Banks. Documents relating to the publication and distribution of Captain Cook's voyages, between December 1783 and July 1787 (Item 27 _ 27e)
Includes handwritten notes on views dated 11th December 1783 and 21st July 1787; 'List of views of headlands seen on the coasts of America and Asia' which mentions the coast of Van Diemen's Land and New Holland, undated; list of 'Presents made by order of the Admiralty', undated.
Sir Joseph Banks. Documents concerning engravings for the publication of the account of Cook's 3rd voyage. (Item 28 _ 28e)
Includes a document recording the titles of the plates, the names of the engravers and the prices paid to them; "List of charts for Mr Bayly and Mr Cook"; a list of engravers, some with addresses; a list of plates, etc. entitled "Names agreed upon by Lord Sandwich, Mr. Dalrymple, Capt. King ... to be adopted in the publication of Cook's Voyage". All the documents are undated.
Sir Joseph Banks. Documents concerning publication of plates and plans for Captain Cook's journal. (Item 29 _ 29j)
Includes estimates, costs and lists of illustrations
Sir Joseph Banks. Statements of expenses in connection with the publication of Captain Cook's third voyage, undated. (Item 30 _ 30f)
Sir Joseph Banks. Letter to an unknown person regarding a voyage to New Zealand and the harsh treatment of Lord Camelford by Captain George Vancouver on the . (Item 31)
Camelford was flogged on Vancouver's orders. As the Hon. Thomas Pitt, he was a midshipman aboard the Dawson, Warren R. The Banks Letters. London: British Museum, 1958. p.607. and inherited the title while at sea. The letter was possibly written in 1796 or thereabouts, since Lady Camelford was seeking information about the treatment of her son at this time. -cf.
Series 2. Papers of Sarah Banks
Sarah Banks. Memoranda on various subjects, undated (Item 32 _ 32k)
Sarah was the sister of Sir Joseph. The memoranda (24p.) range over a variety of subjects, including her brother and Omai. Lists those who sailed and died on board the . Includes coloured pencil sketch of an Australian Aborigine.
Series 3. Letters addressed to Sir Joseph Banks
Lord Bathurst. Letter to Joseph Banks on the scarcity of flax seed, Strand, London, 2 February 1781 (Item 34)
Lord Bathurst. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks on tokens and the rising price of silver, Strand, London, 13 October, 1812 (Item 34a)
Lord Blandford. Letters (2) to Sir Joseph Banks concerning certain plants. Piccadilly, London, 28 May and 19 June 1805 (Item 35 _ 35a)
Draft replies by Banks on the back of both letters.
William Cobbe. Letters (7) to Sir Joseph Banks concerning an invention for catching fish, (with original water colour drawing). London, 5 March 1787 to 31 December 1788 (Item 36a _ 36j)
Letters dated: Bear Yard, Lincolns Inn Fields, December 31st 1788; January 3rd 1789; January 7th 1789; January 13th 1789; March 5th 1787; February 17th 1789; July 11th 1789.
Thomas Cochrane. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks concerning a collection of zoology from the West Indian Islands, St. Christopher's, 29 April, 1781 (Item 37)
G. Colebrooke. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks on the religion of the Brahmins. Nottinghill, London, 19 May, 1787 (Item 38)
David Collins. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks concerning provision for his wife. Beaumont Street, London, 24 December 1802 (Item 39)
Collins is honoured by his appointment to command an expedition to found a settlement on the South coast of Australia but asks that provision be made for his wife if he is lost on the expedition to Port Phillip. He asks Banks to intercede with Lord Hobart to ensure the payment of a government pension to his wife.
David Collins. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks sending specimens and descriptions of plants and animals via the . Hobart, 19 August 1804 (Item 39a _ 39c)
Includes an account of a plant and the production of marine alkali from its leaves. Also includes a 'List of trees observed in the neighbourhood of the River Derwent ... February to June, 1804'.
Cologan. Note to Sir Joseph Banks concerning a parcel of plants. Leicester Square, London, 14 December 1791 (Item 40)
Draft of reply by Banks on back.
Rev. Thomas Combes. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks concerning a living snake found inside a sheep. Somerset, 21 January 1803 (Item 41)
Taylor Combe. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks concerning the framing of an Egyptian Roll. Soho Square, London, 10 January 1804 (Item 42)
William Conyngham. Letters (5) to Sir Joseph Banks, chiefly on botanical matters. Dublin, 22 February 1788 to 4 January 1794 (Item 43 _ 43d)
Letters are dated February 22nd 1788, October 3rd 1790, May 7th 1791, May 9th 1792 and January 4th 1794.
Cook. Note to Joseph Banks inviting him to view Long's collection of drawings of the natural history of Jamaica. Poland Street, London, 15 July 1774 (Item 44)
Invites Banks to bring Dr. Solander whom Cook does not know and therefore feels he cannot invite directly.
William Cooke. Letters, (2) , to Sir Joseph Banks submitting wording in Latin for a proposed memorial to be erected at Kamchatka to commemorate the assistance and hospitality given to Cook on his 3rd voyage, ., 29 October [1789] (Item 45 _ 45c)
The letters include an original wording and shorter versions if this should be considered too long.
E. Cooper. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks intimating that the Government had decided to liberate two Iceland ships. Downing Street, London, 26 February [1808] (Item 46)
Draft of reply by Banks on back, April 7th 1808.
Thomas Cooper. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks concerning an application for a patent for bleaching, [June 1788] (Item 47)
Charles Cordiner. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks concerning species of Laplysia Linnaeus. Banff, 3 May 1787 (Item 49)
Malcolm Cowan. Letters (2) to Sir Joseph Banks concerning a medicinal grass found in Jamaica, Plymouth, 8 February and 4 March 1805 (Item 50 _ 50a)
James Cox. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks concerning American botany, Philadelphia, 18 September 1785 (Item 51)
William Coxe. Letter unsigned to Sir Joseph Banks sending pamphlets. St. Petersberg, 3 January 1785 (Item 52)
Is about to visit Moscow and Southern Russia. Has seen a chart of a voyage to the North Pole by a Russian admiral and it accords with those of Lord Mulgrave in 1773.
William Coxe. Letter unsigned to Sir Joseph Banks concerning the exhibition of a unicorn. Birmingham, 31 May 1787 (Item 53 _ 53a)
Allan Cunningham. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks, Coeping Bay, Timor, 8 November 1819 (Item 54)
Last wrote in May 1819 reporting final departure of the second voyage of discovery, now finished. Describes the trip around the East and N. Coast of Australia. They discovered the wreck of the which had left Port Jackson the previous year. Names places visited, including, Wreck Bay, Cape Flinders, Wessel's Island, Cape Grenville, Cape York, Whitsunday passage. Collection of specimens in the Endeavour River was hindered by the hostility of the natives. Followed the course of Flinders and completed Cook's survey of the N. Coast and then sailed from Goulburn Island to Coeping. Describes the vegetation and his search for specimens at each stop. Estimates that he has around 400 specimens and 260 papers of seeds. Describes the land as "uniformly bad, either the extreme of arid sterility or low depressed flats subject to inundations". Hopes to accompany King again should a third voyage be undertaken.
Alexander Dalrymple. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks concerning charts of the Sandwich Islands which he has had reduced for John Webber, 12 December 1783 (Item 55)
Alexander Dalrymple. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks concerning plates of Kerguelen's Land, etc., with reductions for John Webber, and reporting that he has found the longitude of Eimeo to be wrong, 13th December, 1783 (Item 56)
Alexander Dalrymple. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks concerning views of Sulphur Island and Japan, with reductions for John Webber, also referring to charts sent to him by Captain King, 15 December 1783 (Item 57)
Lord Dundas. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks concerning subscription on behalf of Sir John Sinclair. Aske, Richmond, Yorkshire, 21st December, 1814 (Item 58)
Draft of reply by Banks on back.
Dowager Lady Essex. Letters (5) to Sir Joseph Banks concerning proposals to sell her estate. St. James' Place, London, 1799 (Item 59 _ 59f)
Five letters, two dated July 3 and July 14, and 3 undated letters. Replies by Banks dated July 5th, and July 16th, 1799.
James Fleming. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks referring to his residence in N.S.W. for three years, and seeking assistance from Banks. St. George's Fields, London, 24 December 1803 (Item 60)
Governor King sent him to King Island and Port Phillip to report on the quality of the land and timber and ordered him to list all plants in the colony of NSW that are indigenous and might be of some use to the colony. During his 3 years in the colony he ascertained the proper seasons for sowing, grafting, etc. Suggests that if the government intends to send articles, they be prepared as soon as possible and planted in boxes ready to go.
Has been requested by the colonists to compile a gardening calendar for the colony and would like to do so if assisted financially. Seeks Banks' support for this.
George Follett. Letters (4) to Sir Joseph Banks concerning sheep and wool. Simmerton Hall and Buxton, March-July 1805 (Item 62 _ 62f)
Letters dated: Buxton, 1st March 1805; Buxton 8th March 1805; Simmerton Hall, 19th May 1805; Simmerton Hall, 21st July 1805.
Henry Foot. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks concerning importation of wines. London, 26 September 1788 (Item 63)
James Forbes. Letters (2) to Sir Joseph Banks requesting permission to dedicate to Banks his "Letters from France". Stanmore Hill, 20 May and 25 June 1805 (Item 64 _ 64a)
Draft reply by Banks on back of letter of 20th May.
James Ford. Letters (2) to Sir Joseph Banks concerning canvas for sailcloth, and the use of hemp. London and Montrose, 18 June 1801, 30 March 1802 (Item 65 _ 65c)
T. Fordyce. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks thanking him for the loan of a book on tombers. London, 19 September 1795 (Item 66)
Georg Forster. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks discussing natural history and botany of Lithuania. Vilno, 22 May 1785 (Item 67 _ 67a)
Georg Forster. Autograph note to Sir Joseph Banks accompanying the presentation of a copy of his Voyage round the World. Perry Street, London, 18 March 1777 (Item 67b)
Georg Forster. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks intimating that his father and he had been offered positions as teachers in an institution in Germany. London, 4 January 1778 (Item 68 _ 68a)
Requests Sir Joseph Banks to use his influence with Lord Sandwich to gain some recognition for the botanical work performed by his father and him whilst with Cook on the . Wishes to obtain money to pay their debts (including a loan from Banks) to enable them to go to Germany.
Georg Forster. Letter to Joseph Banks concerning certain botanical specimens he is sending from Germany. Amsterdam, 11 November 1778 (Item 69 _ 69a)
The plants include a Nepenthes from Ceylon which was given to him by Vossmaer, Keeper of the cabinet of the Prince of Orange.
Georg Forster. Letter to Joseph Banks imploring him to use his influence with Lord Sandwich to grant his father a sum of money sufficient to satisfy his creditors, and so enable him to leave England to accept a position in Germany. Berlin, 9 February 1779 (Item 70 _ 70a)
Georg Forster. Letter to Joseph Banks concerning the financial plight of his father. Seeks money to enable his family to move to Halle leaving the debts unpaid. Cassel, April 1 1779 (Item 71 _ 71b)
Georg Forster. Letter to Joseph Banks concerning certain botanical books he was procuring for Banks. Cassel, 27 June 1779 (Item 72 _ 72a)
Offering to to obtain new books from Germany. Asks for proofs of the text and plates of Cook's [second] voyage so that he may make a German translation.
Georg Forster. Letter to Joseph Banks regarding natural history works published in Germany. Cassel, 25 November 1779 (Item 73 _ 73a)
Georg Forster. Letter to Joseph Banks forwarding a printed account in German of the death of Cook. Cassel, 20 January 1780 (Item 74 _ 74a)
Georg Forster. Letter to Joseph Banks, Cassel, 27 March 1780 (Item 75 _ 75a)
Intimates that Professor Litchenberg had compiled, from material supplied by the Forsters, a little sketch of Cook's life and character. Hopes his father may soon be able to come to Germany and thanks Banks for kindness to his father.
Georg Forster. Letter to Joseph Banks thanking him for the assistance rendered to his father and discussing botanical works. Cassel, 13 August 1780 (Item 76 _ 76a)
Georg Forster. Letter to Joseph Banks, Cassel, 26 November 1780 (Item 77 _ 77a)
Most of the animals in the Landgrave's managerie have died, Professor Soemmerring has dissected an elephant, a camel, a baboon and other animals. Describes loss of his possessions in shipwreck, including his books and herbarium and asks Banks for duplicates. Mentions Omai and Tahiti and awaits news of Cook's last voyage.
Georg Forster. Letter to Joseph Banks, Cassel, 10 January 1781 (Item 77b)
Has received accounts of Cook's last voyage from two German sailors. Asks for advance sheets and texts to prepare a German translation of the official account of Cook's voyage. He hopes that Lord Sandwich will approve of this if he is assured that Forster's father has no role in it.
Georg Forster. Letter to Joseph Banks, Cassel, 10 January 1781 (Item 77c)
Has received accounts of Cook's last voyage from two German sailors. Asks for advance sheets and texts to prepare a German translation of the official account of Cook's voyage. He hopes that Lord Sandwich will approve of this if he is assured that Forster's father has no role in it. Duplicate of MS 9/77b sent by mail.
Georg Forster. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks, Cassel, June 20 1781 (Item 77d _ 77f)
Thanks Banks for assistance with obtaining rights to German translation of Cook's last voyage and agrees with Banks' suggestion that the application for permission to translate should be made in the name of the booksellers Spencer and Haude rather than Forster. Describes the problem of pirate works prevalent in Germay; mentions Linnaeus' Mantissa now being printed in Brunswick; mineralogy in Germany; asks if the report of the death of Sir William Hamilton is true.
Georg Forster. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks on natural history matters. Cassel, 5 July 1781 (Item 77g _ 77h)
Georg Forster. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks, Cassel, 2 June 1783 (Item 77i _ 77j)
Asks Banks to present a petition to the Royal Society requesting that he be excused the payment of 5 years arrears of contributions. Draft of Banks' reply on back stating that the Council refused, being afraid to set a precedent which would be injurious to their finances.
Georg Forster. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks thanking him for the plates of Cook's last voyage, undated (Item 77k)
Georg Forster. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks, Cassel, 27 October 1783 (Item 77l _ 77m)
Thanks Banks for the plates of Cook's last voyage and agrees not to publish until one year after the original. Asks for news of [Joseph] Priestley's experiments. Mentions discovery of elephant bones in America by Dr. Michaelis and preparation of Lichtenberg's torch. Asks if it is true that the Duke of Bedford is to travel to Asia.
Georg Forster. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks, Cassel, December 1 1783 (Item 77n _ 77o)
Has received the plates of Cook's voyage. News of scientific experiments in Germany and activities of the French with balloons.
Georg Forster. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks, Vilno, December 11th 1785 (Item 77p)
Concerning erroneous statements made by him in the Gottingen journal about the sheets and plates of Cook's voyage received from Banks. He had claimed that they were a gift from the Admiralty when in fact they belonged to Banks. Offers to correct the statements if Banks thinks it necessary. Hopes to be able to pay his arrears to the Royal Society soon.
George Forster. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks, Margate, 20 September 1785 (Item 77q)
Informs Banks that he can obtain a copy of his book [Sketches of the Mythology and customs of the Hindoos, 1785] from Nathaniel Smith of Bloomsbury Square. He requests that Banks alone peruse the copy. Bound copies will later be given to the Royal and Antiquarian Societies.
George Forster. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks, Cape of Good Hope, 30 January 1786 (Item 77r _ 77s)
Before he left England he requested Nathaniel Smith to give Banks a copy of his book. He is sending Masson's seeds via [Eyles] Irwin, the bearer of this letter. Irwin is also bringing roots and seeds from India. Asks Banks to arrange for Masson to go to India where he could be of service to natural history.
George Forster. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks concerning botany in India. Lucknow, 22 July 1787 (Item 77t _ 77u)
George Forster. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks concerning natural history in India. Lucknow, 2 October 1787 (Item 77v)
Is sending plants and drawings via Colonel Polier.
George Forster. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks concerning botanical specimens in India. Nagpour, 28 August 1788 (Item 77w _ 77x)
George Forster. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks concerning botanical specimen received from Sweden. Mayence, January 10 1790 (Item 77y)
Johann Reinhold ForsterLetter to Joseph Banks on zoological matters. Paddington Green, London, 22 March 1780 (Item 78 _ 78a)
Wants assistance from Banks with drawings for a paper to the Royal Society on oxen, particularly the small African wild ox, the Nghoo. Mentioned to [Jonas] Dryander that he has not been able to see Banks and has been informed by Dryander that Banks will assist.
Johann Reinhold ForsterLetter to Joseph Banks on zoological matters. Paddington Green, London, 7 April 1780 (Item 78b _ 78d)
Is grateful for Banks' offer to assist with the Zoological memoirs intended to be presented to the Royal Society. He has already begun a painting of the Nghoo and will finish it soon. Hopes that Banks will also give similar assistance with papers on animals from the Cape of Good Hope.
Includes a listing of the genus penguin with "all the new and old species" Asks for the loan of books that are out of print.
Johann Reinhold ForsterLetter to Sir Joseph Banks, Halle, 14 August 1781 (Item 78e _ 78f)
Sending this letter with his son Carl who is accompanying his daughter to England to be married to the Rev. Dr Schrader. Has prepared the first fascicle of his Spicilegia made during the voyage and it will be published next winter. Asks Banks to procure subscribers and let him know how many there are by Xmas, as subscribers will get coloured plates and others will get black and white on lower quality paper. Has disposed of the plates of his Indian zoology to a bookseller.
Johann Reinhold ForsterLetter to Sir Joseph Banks offering a copy of his book on Indian zoology. Halle, 22 November 1781 (Item 78g)
Johann Reinhold ForsterLetter to Sir Joseph Banks on his debts, Halle, 6 July 1782 (Item 78h _ 78i)
Discussion of repayments of Forster's debts and loans of money made by Banks. Opinions given by magistrates and lawyers of the university in Halle are that his salary paid in Halle should not be used to liquidate debts contracted abroad and that British creditors should be paid from the demands he had upon the British government. For Banks reply See MS 9/17.
John Foster. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks regarding the engraving of the Duke of Bedford medal. 25 Wimpole Street, London, 27 June 1802 (Item 79)
Draft of reply by Banks on back.
John Foster. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks concerning a memorial to the Duke of Bedford. Collon, 24 October 1802 (Item 80)
George Gilpin. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks regarding a request from Richard Kirwan for a description and drawing of the Royal Society's mace for the Society at Dublin, 18 October 1787 (Item 81)
Draft of reply by Banks on back.
Baron Glenbervie. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks concerning an experiment with Bombay hemp. Pay Office, [London], 20 January 1803 (Item 82)
Henry Goulburn. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks regarding a botanist already in N.S.W joining an expedition led by Lieutenant King. Downing Street, London, 4 February 1807 (Item 83)
George Harris. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks, Hobart Town, 31 August 1806 (Item 84)
Harris was Deputy surveyor-general for Van Diemen's Land. Forwarding drawings and descriptions of two animals of the genus .
Lord Hawkesbury. Manuscript note of thanks Sir Joseph Banks for a letter received, 20 March 1795 (Item 85)
Viscount Howick. Letter to the Earl of Radnor commenting on Banks' interference with prisoners in France. Admiralty, 2 October 1806 (Item 86)
States that the supposition that he has discountenanced Banks' efforts to secure the release of prisoners in France was the result of a misunderstanding. He hopes that Banks will be successful in the case of Lord and Lady Shaftesbury. See also MS 9/136.
John Hunter. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks concerning conditions in New South Wales. Sydney, 1 June 1799 (Item 87)
Referring to the failure of the crops, the flooding of the Hawkesbury River, and the losses sustained by settlers, many of whom " have long been literally naked"; and to the discovery of Bass Strait. On the last page are two entries dated July 4th and August 22nd. The former refers to Flinders going "Northward to look into Harvey Bay", and the latter to the return of Matthew Flinders, and gives information concerning Cape Mor[e]ton, the Glass House, and Harvey Bay.
John Hunter. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks forwarding seeds and plants, Sydney, 20 February 1800 (Item 88)
Indicates that he is forwarding, by the , seeds of trees and shrubs; speaks highly of the ability of Matthew Flinders; also refers to difficulties in obtaining supplies of provisions.
John Hunter. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks requesting that a chart, which he is forwarding by Matthew Flinders, be offered to Major Russel. Sydney, 26 February 1800 (Item 89)
John Hunter. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks concerning events and conditions in New South Wales. Sydney, 5 April 1800 (Item 90)
Describes events and conditions in New South Wales; disasters in the Hawkesbury River settlement with the flooding of crops leading to shortages of food; comments on the Irish convicts giving trouble; rationing has led to the stealing of sheep, pigs, goats and poultry. Governor King has arrived to replace him.
John Johnson. Correspondence with accounts and receipts to Sir Joseph Banks regarding a New Zealand boy and two Tahitians in distress in London, 13 July 1806 and 19 July 1806 (Item 91 _ 91f)
Includes letters, accounts and receipts for money given by Banks to house and clothe and provide other necessities for the boys. Also includes notes by Banks.
Philip Gidley King. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks, HMS , Port Praya, May 3rd, 1791 (Item 92)
Intimates that "The hops have a pleasant appearance and are doing well. At Teneriffe I procured some small fig-trees, Orange Lemon and pear trees, with some Vine Cuttings, and two or three plants of Guinea Grass."
Philip Gidley King. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks, Cape of Good Hope, 26 July 1791 (Item 93)
Concerns the condition of the stores on board. He indicates that he is about to sail for Port Jackson, which he hopes to reach in eight weeks time. Sorry to say the hops are dead. Procured 200 fruit trees, grape cuttings, etc.
Philip Gidley King. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks concerning conditions on Norfolk Island. Norfolk Island, 24 May 1793 (Item 94 _ 94a)
Philip Gidley King. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks, Norfolk Island, 10 November 1793 (Item 95)
Mentions that there is no copy of Cook's voyages on Norfolk Island, and gives a description of two New Zealanders, who had lived on the island for 7 months, and comments on their language.
Philip Gidley King. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks concerning availability of food and provisions. Norfolk Island, 31 July 1795 (Item 96)
States that there is an abundance of food on Norfolk Island; provisions and settlers are needed in Australia and there is a shortage of food in Port Jackson. Will forward some fine flax plants.
Philip Gidley King. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks relating to the affairs of a deceased friend, Col. Gordon. London, 27 May 1797 (Item 97)
Philip Gidley King. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks referring to the bad season and the condition of the crops. Sydney, 8 January 1806 (Item 98)
Mentions that "of the 620 head of cattle landed at Port Dalrymple only 250 head are left". Also refers to an expedition to New Zealand.
Rufus King. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks enclosing passport for Mason, Botanical Gardener, who, by His Majesty's order, is going to America. Great Cumberland Place, London, 3 August 1797 (Item 99)
Draft of reply by Banks on the back.
Andrew Kippis. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks referring to statements in Kippis' Life of Cook and Biographica Britannica based on information provided by Banks. Westminster, 10 August 1795 (Item 100)
Richard Kirwan. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks on scientific and experimental matters. Dublin, 8 April 1788 (Item 101)
Has had a disagreement with Magellan, who had asked him to translate some comments by Fabbroni on Cronstedt's Mineralogy. Magellan subsequently used this as a pretext for "plundering my Mineralogy" and Kirwan regrets he did not take Banks' advice to beware of Magellan. He has sent a paper on causes of variations in the barometer to the Academy.
Richard Kirwan. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks on scientific and experimental matters. Dublin, 27 May 1788 (Item 101a)
Happy to find Banks engaged in experiments on the specific gravity of spirits of wine and brandy of different strengths and temperatures. The weather has been unusually fine. He has just seen Dr. Crawford's book which he believes is very interesting. Elmsley has been remiss in sending him books and he hasn't got his own copy yet, nor a number of others he is anxious to see. Wants news of papers published in Germany.
Richard Kirwan. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks on scientific and experimental matters. Dublin, 30 June 1788 (Item 101b)
Is pleased to hear that Crawford's experiments on the specific gravity of spirits and wine are to be discussed. Landriani seems to be injustly prejudiced against his findings, probably because of trying to reproduce them with bad instruments. The reports of a volcano in N. Ireland are untrue. Mentions deposits of lead and copper ore in the Wicklow mountains. He has been studying stones said to be of volcanic origin and his conclusions are the opposite of those of [James] Hutton. Dr Black of Edinburgh is now in Dublin.
Richard Kirwan. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks on scientific and experimental matters. Dublin, 10 January 1789 (Item 101c)
Expresses surprise that [Henry] Cavendish now discusses politics, as he remained silent when his family was involved during [Lord] North's administration. Priestley now disagrees the idea of the composition of water, but Kirwan still supports Cavendish. He is analysing the salts used by bleachers. Comments on Elmsley the bookseller's neglect of his business.
Richard Kirwan. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks on scientific and experimental matters. Dublin, 17 March 1789 (Item 101d)
On receipt of Banks' letter went to the Secretary to establish the reason for the mistakes in his patent. Omission of Banks' civil title was a mistake, but omission of literary titles was because of an Order in Council that no mention be made of foreign titles except the Royal Society in London. Complains about how poorly the Society is conducted. He is looking at experiments on bleaching as all research not immediately tending to gain is despised. Asks Banks to remind Elmsley he is much in arrears. He is glad to hear the King is recovered.
Richard Kirwan. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks on scientific and experimental matters. Dublin, 10 July 1790 (Item 101e)
Recommending Stock, a Fellow of Trinity College, to Banks. Hopes attention to the "puny war" does not check the progress of philosophical enquiry in England.
Richard Kirwan. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks on scientific and experimental matters. Dublin, 19 April 1789 (Item 101f)
Regrets he is unable to send the history of the great cold in Ireland in the past winter. He applied to Dr. Usher [Astronomer of Ireland] for the records of the thermometer, but as these were taken indoors, they are useless. Gives his own diary of meteorological observations for Nov 1788 to April 1789. He hears that Berthollet is publishing Chymical Annals. He has not received the Memoirs of Paris for 1785, nor Memoirs of Berlin for 1784 from Elmsley. Elmsley does not answer his letters. He is curious about the experiments on the specific gravity of wine and spirits. He has read his paper on bleaching salts before the Academy.
Richard Kirwan. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks on scientific and experimental matters. Dublin, 4 July 1791 (Item 101g)
Has sent, via a London bookseller, a copy of a dissertation to be published in Memoirs of the Irish Academy. Asks Banks to forward copies to a number of people at home and abroad. Hopes his paper can be read to the Royal Society. Thanks Banks for sending the papers of Seguin.
Richard Kirwan. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks on scientific and experimental matters. Dublin, 29 September 1791 (Item 101h)
Apologises for not sending the promised paper on hepatic air; it is not yet complete. A trip to the Giants Causeway has revived his interest in mineralogy and he has done nothing else since his return. When his interest cools a little, he will return to other matters and finish the paper. Introduces Councillor Hudson, bearer of the letter and recommends him to Banks.
Richard Kirwan. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks on scientific and experimental matters. Dublin, 9 April 1797 (Item 101i _ 101j)
Congratulate Banks on his appointment to the Privy Council. About 1400 copies of his Mineralogy on their way to London by sea have been captured by a French privateer. He has sent a copy to Elmsley to have it reprinted in London. Mentions various scientific friends - Cavendish, Blagden, Hatchett, Macie, Tenant, Higgins and Young. He has made a new analysis of various kinds of pit coal. Now at work on his Geological essays.
Richard Kirwan. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks on scientific and experimental matters. Dublin, 9 April 1801 (Item 101k)
As the chair of natural history in Edinburgh will soon be vacant, he strongly recommends Robert Jameson to fill it. He has lately published an account of the mineralogy of the Shetland Islands and is at present studying under Werner.
Richard Kirwan. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks on scientific and experimental matters. Dublin, 24 April 1801 (Item 101l)
Comments on his support for Robert Jameson. Discusses Jameson, Kennedy and Mitchell. Now composing a meteorological essay and asks Banks for information on the location of a frost which occurred in June 1783 that was mentioned in a paper by John Cullum.
Richard Kirwan. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks on scientific and experimental matters. Dublin, 15 March 1802 (Item 101m)
Thanks Banks for sending him the valuable papers of Johan Gadolin. Will send Banks a meterological paper he has in preparation. He has laid proposals before Charles Abbot [Chief Secretary of Ireland] for establishing a Board of Mines, similar to those of Saxony, Hungary and France. Lord Pelhan does not appear to think that such a body is necessary as there is none in England.
Richard Kirwan. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks on scientific and experimental matters. Dublin, 6 October 1793 (Item 101n)
Has sent a paper on volcanic productions and is now sending an account of some meteorological observations.
Richard Kirwan. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks on scientific and experimental matters. Dublin, undated. (Item 101o)
Thanks Banks for his hospitality whilst he was in London. This letter is delivered by Thales, a member of the Irish Academy, whom he recommends to Banks. Dated June 24th.
Richard Knight. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks thanking Banks for his letter on the insect pest which he has sent to his brother. Whitehall, London, 21 June 1796 (Item 102)
Explains that the pest has already attacked apple trees in Hertfordshire and also attacks oaks.
Richard Knight. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks concerning the Towneley marbles affair, Whitehall, London, 18 May 1805 (Item 102a and 102c)
As Banks has expressed a wish for completion of the Towneley Marbles affair, he has written to Towneley Standish and encloses a copy of his letter. The copy of the letter to Edward Towneley Standish is included and dicusses the the disposition of the collection marbles of the late Charles Towneley and its location in the British Museum. Whitehall, London, May 17th 1805
Richard Knight. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks concerning the need for careful use of language in a work he is writing to avoid giving offence, Whitehall, London, 18 June [1785] (Item 102b)
The object of his work is to demonstrate the pagan origin of many Christian ceremonies. Emphasises that his work is only for the Society and not for the public at large.
William Knight. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks on matters of religion. Whitehall, undated. (Item 103)
Thanks Banks for acquainting him with the Bagvathgita [Bhagavatgita], which he found full of curious matters although a small part only falls within the compass of his present enquiry. A regular commentary is necessary which '...would not only exhibit the principles of the Greek religion, but also those of our own holy faith. It would then appear that many of the doctrines said to have ben revealed to the authors of our religion were imported from India by the Alexandrine Jews together with the silks and spices...'
Charles Knowles. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks concerning the purifying of bad wheat. Halls Farm, Beaconsfield, Bucks, 14 March 1802 (Item 104)
Thomas Knowlton. Letter to Joseph Banks with description of , accompanied by pencil drawing, 4 April 1775 (Item 105)
Describes the plant as found growing near Rotherham.
Odser Knudsen. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks asking for assistance in securing the release of his ship and a passage to Leith. His ship was driven ashore by gales and detained by Customs Officers while on a trip from Iceland to Copenhagen. Stornoway, 16 January 1808 (Item 106)
Johan Gerhard Koenig. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks intimating that he is forwarding a box of seeds, Calcutta, 6 December 1784 (Item 107)
Indicates that he will write a more expansive letter and if he can finish it in time will include this also with the seeds.
Charles Komis. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks regarding his employment in Banks' library, Oxford Street, 31 December 1803 (Item 108)
John Koster. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks concerning the Abbé Correa and loans of money to him. Lisbon, 31 December 1794 (Item 109)
As requested he handed Broussonet Banks' letter and offered him money. Broussonet refused the offer, since he still had some money. Koster was introduced to him by Correa who asked him to appeal to Captain Rodney to take Broussonet on his ship. The appeal having been unsuccessful, Correa has offered him asylum, but only the influence of the Duc de Lafoens had prevented him from being deported. He hopes to depart for England on the Boston when it arrives. Koster is acting Consul General in the absence of Sir John Hart and offers to help in any way he can. He is a friend of Masson, whom he last heard of in the Cape of Good Hope, and asks for news of him.
John Koster. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks concerning the Abbé Correa and loans of money to him. Lisbon, 16 October 1795 (Item 109a)
Banks' account of his friend Correa gave him great pleasure and he immediately sent a copy to the Duke and in return received the enclosed two letters with a sum of money for which he now remits a bill to give to the Abbé. He is glad to hear of the safe return of his friend Masson. He has received a letter from Broussonet on 28th September saying that he would embark for Barcelona on his return home.
John Koster. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks concerning the Abbé Correa and loans of money to him. Lisbon, 8 August 1795 (Item 109b)
Has news that Broussonet has gone to Barbary with the American Consul. Since he has drawn directly on Banks for money there, it is unlikely that he will be asked for more. He therefore asks Banks for the sum he advanced. Asks to be remembered to Correa.
John Koster. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks concerning the Abbé Correa and loans of money to him. Lisbon, 30 May 1795 (Item 109c _ 109d)
Enclosing a second bill for the Abbé Correa in case the first should be lost. Includes the bill of exchange, dated 23rd May 1795.
John Latham. Letter to Thomas Pennant relating to Sir Joseph Banks and the flora and fauna of New Holland. Dartford, 16 August 1789 (Item 110)
Lord Liverpool. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks summoning him to a committee meeting. Addiscombe Place, Sunday, undated. (Item 111)
Lord Macartney. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks, with enclosures, regarding plants left by the French naturalist of D'Entrecasteaux's voyage. Castle of Good Hope, July 24 1797 (Item 112 _ 112b)
Contains enclosures copied by Banks.
Lord Morton. Hints offered to the consideration of Captain Cooke, Mr. Bankes, Doctor Solander and other gentlemen who go upon the expedition on board the . Chiswick, 10 August 1768 (Item 113 _ 113h)
Includes detailed instructions on the treatment of native peoples, the aims of the expedition and the observations to be made and objects to be collected. The expedition is to "exercise the utmost patience and forbearance with respect to the natives of the several lands where the ship may touch" and the shedding of blood is a crime of the highest nature. "They are the natural and, in the strictest sense of the word, the legal posessors of the several regions thay inhabit. No European nation has the right to occupy any part of their country ..." It is natural for them to defend their land and if they are hostile there are to be no reprisals. Detailed suggestions are given on how to approach the natives peacably.
The primary object of the expedition is to observe the transit of Venus. Once this has been achieved, attention can be turned to other matters "particularly the discovery of a continent in the lower temperate latitudes". Gives clues on how to determine whether a land mass is a continent rather than merely an island, e.g. high mountains and large river mouths.
The aim is to observe and describe the peoples, their customs and beliefs, the flora and fauna and the "natural productions of the country". Vegetables are to be sought, particularly those with a medicinal use or use for dyeing. Minerals and fossils and the vocabulary of the names given by the natives are also of interest.
Lord Nelson. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks, off Toulon, 9 July 1803 (Item 114)
Tells of the capture of a French corvette out of Athens containing some cases of Greek sculptures and antiquities, and suggests that these might be acquired by purchase for the British nation.
Evan Nepean. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks, Bombay, 2 August 1814 (Item 115)
The has returned because of bad weather and all the vines have died. He will be sending certain trees, plants and flowering shrubs from Persia via the .
George Nicol. Letters (2) to Sir Joseph Banks concerning statements of expenses in connection with the publishing of the accounts of Cook's voyages, Strand, 13 January 1782, 22 February 1783 (Item 116 _ 116f)
Includes an account (2p.) headed "The executors of the late Capt. Cook to Wm. Strahan."
Mungo Park. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks apologising that "any misunderstanding should have taken place respecting my present voyage to New South Wales". Bloomsbury, London, 15 September [1798] (Item 117)
Passport given by Baron Diede of Furschenstein to Sir Joseph Banks and others, and observations on Iceland, 2 July 1772 (Item 118)
Includes "Observations on Iceland, August 1772"; Passport with envelope and seal; extracts from journal of the barometer, thermometer and direction of the winds of Havnefiord in Iceland and Hawkhill near Edinburgh, September 1772; and an extract in Icelandic.
William Paterson. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks intimating that he is forwarding, for the Kew collection, a box of seeds from Port Dalrymple, by the . Port Jackson, 1 November 1806 (Item 119)
William Paterson. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks concerning the conditions at Port Dalrymple, and a collection of plants he has sent by the . Port Jackson, 26 January 1807 (Item 119a)
William Paterson. Copy of a letter to Governor Bligh sent to Sir Joseph Banks, Sydney, 16 March 1807 (Item 120)
This copy was sent by Paterson to Sir Joseph Banks, and concerns the inadequacy of the military forces in New South Wales and at Port Dalrymple. He felt it his duty as commanding officer of the NSW Corps to draw attention to the need for additional forces. With the present level, if any troops are called away from Headquarters, the government stores would be unprotected and the property of inhabitants under threat. Draws attention to "the shattered state of the gun carriages (in consequence of the White Ants)" and points out that this will always be the case unless iron ones are requested. Outlines the minimum numbers of troops he believes are needed at each location and recommends an additional 500 troops.
William Paterson. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks concerning conditions in New South Wales, Port Jackson and Port Dalrymple. Yorkton, Port Dalrymple, 20 April 1807 (Item 121)
Concerning conditions in New South Wales, and of his having left Port Jackson after receiving certain provisions, and of having found Port Dalrymple in a deplorable condition. Requests Sir Joseph Banks to have stores sent from England to Port Dalrymple "as we cannot trust to Port Jackson". Refers to the disaster to 5 men who were sent to Cape Bessen, and to the finding of a passage by land from Port Dalrymple to the Derwent, and describes the country in between.
William Paterson. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks concerning conditions Tasmania. Yorkton, Port Dalrymple, 19 August 1807 (Item 122 _ 122a)
He has been attending to agriculture at Launceston, and Charles Grimes, the Surveyor-General, is to undertake the task of surveying the country between Port Dalrymple and the Derwent. Refers to the destruction of cattle by bushrangers, and to the capture of two members of the Corps by two escaped convicts.
William Paterson. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks concerning conditions in Tasmania. Yorkton, Port Dalrymple, 13 November 1807 (Item 123)
Concerning the danger from convicts who absconded with dogs and fire-arms. These convicts were employed at hunting kangaroos to supply the settlement with meat. The Guard at the mouth of the river was found murdered. Live stock is in good condition. Menace of bushrangers. Survey between Port Dalrymple and the Derwent completed. Hills where iron ore was discovered examined by Humphrey and found to be "exceedingly rich". Suggests that "worthless characters" be employed to work the mines.
Peck. Note to Sir Joseph Banks thanking him for the use of his library, Adelphi, 20 August 1805 (Item 124)
F.W. Pemberton. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks offering plants and seeds from India. Ship , off Deal, 31 March 1790 (Item 125)
W.H. Pepys. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks concerning a platina knife and extolling the advantages of platina over gold and silver. 4 Finsbury Square, London, 30 May 1805 (Item 126 _ 126a)
H.B. Percy. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks concerning stitleback and other fish. Boston, 27 December 1804 (Item 127)
J.B. Perrin. Letters (3) to Sir Joseph Banks concerning botanical matters and the position of Land and Tide Surveyor in the Port of Kingston. Kingston, Jamaica, 6 April 1797 to 5 June 1798 (Item 128 _ 128c)
Letters from Perrin dated: 6 April,1797, 12 June 1797 and 5 June 1798; a copy of Banks' reply to the last letter is dated 1798. The letter of 12 June 1797 asks Banks to intercede on Perrin's behalf to secure the position of Land and Tide Surveyor in the Port of Kingston. In the letter of 5 June 1798, he wonders why he has not heard from Banks. Banks draft reply on the back of the letter states that he has no intention of threatening his independence by asking favours for others. The copy of the reply that was actually sent to Perrin is more circumspect.
William Perrin. Letters (11) to Joseph Banks chiefly on botanical matters, March 1767 to April 1768 (Item 129 _ 129u)
The bulk of the letters are written whilst Perrin is travelling in Europe between March 1767 and April 1768. They are written from Paris, Aix, Schafthausen and Montpelier and are chiefly about botanical matters. Two letters contain botanical specimens. One letter is dated June 30th 1783.
George Perry. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks concerning natural history matters in India. Calcutta, 30 September 1783 (Item 130)
William Perry. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks concerning interest on money in India. Chiswick, 16 June 1788 (Item 131)
William Perry. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks requesting Banks to forward a letter to Lord Chatham. Chiswick, 7 October 1790 (Item 131a)
Draft reply by Banks on the back.
William Perry. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks concerning surgeons for the Navy. Hillingdon, 25 March 1803 (Item 131b)
Draft reply by Banks on the back.
William Petrie. Letters (7) to Sir Joseph Banks largely on scientific matters in India, 28 February 1787 to 5 May, 1796 (Item 132)
The letters are dated: Madras, 28 February 1787 and 29 May, 1787; Cape of Good Hope, 26 January 1787; London, 7 July, 1789 and Bath, 5 May 1796; two are undated. They deal with general scientific matters but focus particularly on Petrie's interest in cobras and their poison, cochineal and petrification. He mentions the famine of 1782.
J. Petty. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks regarding the making of a presentation on natural history. Vienna, 25 April 1784 (Item 133 _ 133a)
Arthur Phillip. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks stating that about fifty tubs of plants are ready to go aboard the to sail to England next month". Sydney, 15 October 1792 (Item 134)
J.F. Prendergass. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks concerning plants on board the . Ship, 31 August 1806 (Item 135)
Earl of Radnor. Letters (2) to Sir Joseph Banks concerning the detainment of Lord and Lady Shaftesbury and their daughter in Paris. Longford Castle, 23 September and 3 October 1806 (Item 136 _ 136a)
Draft of replies by Banks on backs of both letters. See also MS 9/86.
Lady Rockingham. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks regarding a plant from the East Indies now in full flower in her hothouse. Hillingdon House, 22 October 1787 (Item 137 _ 137a)
Duke of Somerset. Letter to Sir Joseph Banks enclosing a letter from Wishaw concerning [Mungo] Park's journal. Park Lane, London, 8 April 1814 (Item 138)
Spencer Lucas and Co. Letters to Sir Joseph Banks regarding a New Zealand native Ma Tanai, son of Tippahee, 1807 (Item 139 _ 139d)
Letters from Spencer Lucas and Co., Great Marlborough Street, dated 11th May 1807, 1st June [1807] and 5th June 1807 offering advice on the care of the New Zealand boy and enclosing accounts for expenses. The documents also include a bill for clothes for "New Zealand lad" and a bill for lodging and washing, and an undated draft by Banks describing "The New Zealand boy".
John Webber. Catalogue of drawings and portraits in oil by Mr Webber (Item 140 _ 140b)
Bears notes in pencil by Sir Joseph Banks.