Guide to the Correspondence of Sir Joseph Banks, 1st Baronet (as filmed by the AJCP)
M2662
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Created: 2019
Online Items
Correspondence, 16 April 1768 - 10 October 1780 (File Volume 1)
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Thomas Falconer (Chester), 16 April 1768 (Item ff.20-22)
Re Banks' intending voyage; refers to other voyages of discovery.
J. Bentinck (Centaur, Spithead), 10 October 1771 (Item ff.27-28)
Re Becket's 'Otahitee' and Bougainville's 'Taiti'; messages to Captain Cook and Solander.
Charles Clerke (Resolution, Sheerness), 31 May 1772 (Item ff.33-34)
Regrets that Banks not going on expedition.
James Lind (Edinburgh) to Reverend Nevil Maskelyne, 30 January 1774 (Item ff.82-83)
Re losses he sustained on expedition to South Seas; will only go on another expedition if Banks also goes.
Solander (London), 28 June 1775 (Item ff.91-92)
Re news of Cook's voyage,'Nova Caledonia is described as a paradise without thorns or thistles'.
Solander (London), 14 August 1775 (Item ff.95-96)
Re visit to Resolution; drawings and animals on board.
Solander (London), 5 September 1775 (Item ff.98-99)
That Lord Sandwich has asked Forster to write an account of the events in Dusky Bay, New Zealand; Forster's drawings.
Solander (London), 31 July [1776] (Item ff.128-129)
Re plates for [foreign editions of Cook's Voyage].
Sir Charles Blagden (Philadelphia), 15 December 1777 (Item ff.160-161)
Re Forster's and Cook's accounts of voyage.
J.R. Forster, [December 1778?] (Item ff.171-181)
With account of grievances against Lord Sandwich, Captain Cook and Daines Barrington.
Charles Clerke (Resolution, at sea), 18 August 1779 (Item ff.266-267)
Re his ill health [he died on 22 August]; the material he has collected for Banks.
Correspondence, 10 January 1781 - 12 October 1782 (File Volume 2)
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George Forster (Cassel), 10 January 1781 (Item ff.3-4)
That received accounts of Cook's last voyage from two Germans who sailed on it.
William Cooke, 1781-10-29; 1781-11-07 (Item ff.57-60)
Re inscription for memorial to commemorate hospitality offered to ships of Cook's 3rd voyage at Kamchatka.
Sir George Baker (London), 10 November 1781 (Item ff.61-61A)
Re inscription to commemorate hospitality offered to Captain Clerke at Kamchatka.
William W. Ellis (London), 25 December 1781 (Item ff.79-81)
Regretting he has incurred Banks' displeasure by publishing an account of Cook's voyage.
Banks to Edward Hasted, February 1782 (Item ff.97-100)
That he undertook all his voyages in interests of science.
Lord Sandwich (Hertford Street), 9 September 1782 - 23 September 1782 (Item ff.181-193)
Re progress on publication of the account of Captain Cook's 3rd voyage; King's work on it. (5 letters)
Correspondence, 15 March 1784 - 11 December 1785 (File Volume 4)
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Correspondence, 6 January 1786 - 18 December 1787 (File Volume 5)
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Banks to J.G. Forster, 6 January 1786 (Item f.1)
Rre plates and sheets of Cook's voyage which Forster has sent to Mr Spencer.
Sir Charles Blagden (London), 17 September 1786 (Item ff.55-58)
'The scheme of sending the convicts to New Holland is I think generally disapproved, very much from the apprehension of their becoming a nest of pirates'.
Archibald Menzies (Prince of Wales, Porto Praya), 16 November 1786 (Item ff.113-114)
He hopes to be able to obtain botanical specimens for Banks during the voyage.
Archibald Menzies (Prince of Wales, Staten Land), 11 February 1787 (Item ff.129-130)
Is sending home some plants by Captain Marshall.
Banks to Thomas Morton (East India Company), 22 February 1787 (Item ff.133-137)
Testimonial on behalf of J.G. Koenig - his expedition to Straits of Malacca in 1780 and loss of his papers in General Barker.
Banks to [Lord Hawkesbury], 30 March 1787 (Item ff.143-146)
That it would be better to send a vessel from England to obtain bread fruit for the West Indies than use a transport from Botany Bay; qualifications of David Nelson to be the gardener.
Banks to Francis Masson, 3 June 1787 (Item ff.173-174)
Re plants he has sent from the Cape; Banks had intended to recommend Masson to go to Botany Bay but understands he has an aversion to the place; expectations of plants from Botany Bay.
Lord Sydney (Whitehall), 15 August 1787 (Item ff.208-209)
Re purchase of Bounty, to go to South Seas to convey breadfruit to West Indies; requests Banks to draw up instructions for gardeners.
Instructions re conveyance of breadfruit, [August 1787?] (Item ff.210-216)
Equipping of ship; flax plants to be taken on at New Zealand; course to be followed.
Banks' instructions to David Nelson, [August 1787?] (Item ff.217-225)
Re collecting and conveying breadfruit.
Some reflections upon the breadfruit of the South Sea Islands, [August 1787?] (Item ff.226-230)
And upon a method for bringing it to Jamaica, communicated by Lieutenant Vancouver of HM Navy.
Sir George Younge (Stratford Place), 7 September 1787 (Item ff.245-246)
Re visit to Bligh at Deptford - Bligh did not have precise instructions re voyage from Admiralty.
Banks to Sir George Younge (Boston), 9 September 1787 (Item ff.247-248)
Alarmed at information in Younge's letter; Bligh had seen the plan of the voyage.
James Matra (Tangier), 13 September 1787 (Item ff.252-258)
Re local plants; wishes 'Blythe' [Bligh] success; had hoped he would stop in New Zealand for flax plant.
Sir George Younge (War Office), 14 September 1787 (Item ff.259-260)
That revisited Bligh - he has not seen his instructions, they had been read to him.
Correspondence, 18 May 1789 - 13 October 1789 (File Volume 6)
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Note re drawings of objects in New South Wales in possession of Sir Andrew Hammond, 18 May 1789 (Item f.162)
Archibald Menzies (Prince of Wales, Isle of Wight), 14 July 1789 (Item ff.181-182)
Re safe return after round the world voyage; has given Banks' name to a cluster of islands.
Correspondence, 24 October 1790 - 22 October 1791 (File Volume 7)
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W. Bligh (Lambeth), 24 October 1790 (Item ff.170-171)
That honourably acquitted at court martial re loss of Bounty.
Instructions to James Wiles and Christopher Smith, 25 June 1791 (Item ff.218-226A)
Gardeners with Captain Bligh on the 2nd breadfruit expedition.
Charles Burney (Chelsea), 6 July 1791 (Item ff.230-231)
On behalf of Captain Phillips, who accompanied Cook on last voyage.
Banks to M. Billiardiere, August 1791 (Item ff.235-236)
Re botany of New Caledonia "Forster, who was on bad terms with Cook, did little while he was there".
Sigismund Bacstrom (London), 18 August 1791 (Item ff.242-244)
Re going as Surgeon on voyage to South Seas and Nootka organised by Theophilus Pritzler.
Correspondence, 1 March 1792 - 30 October 1793 (File Volume 8)
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A. Menzies (Portsmouth), 1792-03-01 [should be 1791] (Item ff.14-15)
Tthanking Banks for his patronage.
A. Menzies (Discovery, California), 1 January 1793 - 14 January 1793 (Item ff.142-155)
Re events of voyage - New Holland, Dusky Bay New Zealand, Otaheite, Owhyhee, North-West coast of America, Nootka; Daedalus sailed for Botany Bay with cattle and sheep for the settlement.
Mr Wiles' Journal, 22 January 1793 (Item ff.158-170)
An account of the plants on board HMS Providence.
P.G. King (Norfolk Island), 24 May 1793 (Item ff.203-207)
Re situation on island 'for four months past we have not had occasion to inflict the slightest punishment', asks Banks' opinion on cultivation of indigo and cotton; two New Zealand natives have arrived on the island - they have imparted their knowledge of preparing flax.
Joshua Stede (Barbados), 27 May 1793 (Item ff.208-209)
That Bligh in Providence with breadfruit has arrived at St. Vincent.
Nevil Maskelyne [n.pl.], 13 June 1793 (Item ff.216-217)
Re murder of Hergest and Gooch by natives of Sandwich islands.
Correspondence, 2 August 1794 - 10 December 1795 (File Volume 9)
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Essex Henry Bond (Portsmouth), 2 August 1794 (Item ff.77-78)
That on his last voyage he took convicts to Port Jackson.
Archibald Menzies (Nootka Sound), 1 October 1794 (Item ff.105-108)
Re visit to Owhyhee 'most friendly intercourse with the natives'; observations made.
Henry Shirley (Kingston, Jamaica), 20 December 1794 (Item ff.141-143)
That various plants brought from Tahiti are flourishing.
George Nicol (London) to Mrs Cook, 7 January 1795 (Item ff.152-155)
With a statement on the division of profits arising from sale of book on Captain Cook's voyage.
William Paterson (Port Jackson), 17 March 1795 (Item ff.165-168)
That new settlement on Hawkesbury River flourishes; plans to survey the area; Brittania has arrived from Cape of Good Hope with horses.
William Paterson (Port Jackson), 16 March 1795 - 14 June 1795 (Item ff.170-175)
Re arrival of ship from India with cattle; settlement on the Hawkesbury has been attacked by natives...
Banks to H. Shirley, 2 April 1795 (Item ff.205-207)
That he is pleased to hear the plants taken to West Indies by Bligh are doing well.
Archibald Menzies (Discovery, Valpariso), 28 April 1795 (Item ff.210-213)
Re progress of voyage; description of Valpariso.
P.G. King (Norfolk Island), 31 July 1795 (Item ff.244-245)
That 'while much distress is experienced at Port Jackson for food we have a great abundance'; needs more settlers.
Governor Hunter (Sydney), 12 October 1795 (Item ff.246-251)
Re good conditions in the Colony; the cattle lost in 1788 have naturally multiplied into a large herd - found with help of a native.
Henry Waterhouse (Reliance, Sydney) to Governor Phillip, 24 October 1795 (Item ff.252-255)
Re events in Colony; Benelong 'I much fear he will turn out as great a savage as ever you knew him' farmers are hiring ex convicts and paying them in liquor; prosperity of farms.
William Paterson (Port Jackson), 26 October 1795 (Item ff.256-258)
Re flourishing state of the colony.
William Hunter (Sydney), 26 October 1795 (Item ff.269-272)
That went to site where cattle were discovered - had to shoot the bull which attacked the party; he has named the area Cow-pasture Plains and Mount Taurus.
A. Menzies (Discovery, Shannon), 14 September 1795 (Item ff.288-291)
Re arrival in Ireland; he is under arrest for insolence - circumstances of the arrest; he is writing up his journal.
Elizabeth Bligh (Durham Place), 5 December 1795 (Item ff.321-322)
Enlisting Banks' support for her husband to be given the vacancy in Greenwich Hospital occasioned by death of Captain Hunt.
Banks to Lord Spencer on behalf of Captain Bligh, 10 December 1795 (Item ff.326-327)
His poor health as a result of voyage after the mutiny.
Correspondence, 3 February 1796 - 7 October 1797 (File Volume 10(i))
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Banks to William Price, 31 March [1796] (Item ff.29-32)
With a report on the herbarium which consists of all the curiosities collected on D'entrecasteaux's voyage offered as a present to the Queen by the King of France.
Banks to Price, 4 August 1796 (Item f.60)
That the Directory of France has requested that the collection offered by the Duke of Harcourt be returned to the collector M. de Billiardiere so he may publish his observations.
Banks to Antoine L. de Jussieu, 10 August [1796] (Item ff.63-64)
That the Government have acceded to his wishes respecting M. de Billardiere's collection.
A. Menzies (London), 21 October 1796 (Item ff.80-82)
Re treatment of Lord Camelford by Vancouver during recent voyage in Discovery.
Notes by Banks on punishments inflicted on Lord Camelford by Vancouver, and arrest of Menzies, [n.d.] (Item ff.83-86)
Extract from J. Whidbey's letter to Mr Barlow re Lord Camelford and Captain Vancouver, [n.d.] (Item ff.87-88)
Correspondence, 20 August 1796 - 12 March 1798 (File Volume 10(ii))
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Governor Hunter (Sydney), 20 August 1796 (Item ff.12-19)
That recently been to Broken Bay; settlements in Hawkesbury River are attacked by escaped convicts and natives; beauty of the area.
A. Phillip (London), 7 September 1796 (Item ff.20-21)
Re news from New South Wales 'individuals making fortunes at the expense of the crown'.
Banks to P.G. King, 30 March 1797 (Item ff.75-76)
Re specimens sent by King; the Norfolk Pine is doing well at Kew; now appointed to Privy Council hopes to be able to be of service to 'his favourite Colony' which is neglected by Ministers fully occupied with the War.
Governor Hunter (Sydney), 30 March 1797 (Item ff.77-92)
Re sending seeds and specimens; heat of recent summer; bush fires; harvest; his difficulties and conflict with the military; the trade in spirits; steps he has taken to improve state of the Colony - 'we are now improving into a state of civilization; for we were certainly of late far worse than the natives'
Banks to Governor Hunter, 30 March 1797 (Item ff.93-95)
Congratulating him on the state of the Colony.
Banks to William Paterson, 31 March 1797 (Item ff.96-97)
Thanking him for drawings sent by Colonel Grose; looks forward to receiving seeds from New South Wales; 'the prosperous state of your Colony gives me infinite satisfaction'.
P.G. King (London) to Duke of Portland, 15 June 1797 (Item ff.98-103)
Re details of his career and his conduct on Norfolk Island.
Governor Hunter (Sydney), 1 August 1797 (Item ff.105-110)
Re wreck of Sydney Cove and sufferings of survivors; from the Captain's report believes Van Diemen's Land is an island - suggests the Government sends out a surveyor to examine the coast.
Governor Hunter (Sydney), 1797-08-15; 1797-08-19 (Item ff.113-116)
Re coal discovered south of Botany Bay. Includes account of livestock and ground under crop in New South Wales made on 19 August 1797.
Correspondence, 12 July 1798 - 23 September 1799 (File Volume 11)
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George Caley (Manchester), 12 July 1798 (Item ff.6-8)
That understands he has displeased Banks as is not to go to Botany Bay; his interest in Botany.
Banks to Caley, 16 July 1798 (Item ff.15-16)
That is not angry with him; no one has been appointed to go to Botany Bay in his place.
Governor Hunter (Sydney), 5 August 1798 (Item ff.26-27)
Sending a 'womback' to Literary and Philosophical Society in Newcastle.
Banks to Caley, 27 August 1798 (Item ff.44-45)
That he cannot be sent out to New South Wales as a collector for Kew as is untrained.
Banks' transcription of correspondence, 12 March 1798 - 13 September 1798 (Item ff.60-63)
Transcription include: Extract of a letter [in Banks' hand] Hunter to Chalmers, 12 March 1798. Re progress of New South Wales...
Mungo Park (London), 14 September 1798 (Item ff.71-72)
Re proposal for him to join expedition to New South Wales.
Banks' transcription of correspondence, 5 September 1798 - 14 September 1798 (Item ff.73-76)
Inlcudes:William Belman to Governor Phillip, 14 September 1798. Re deterioration in condition of New South Wales since his departure; 'towns of Parramatta and Toongabbe are almost in ruins'...
James Dickson (London), 20 September 1798 (Item ff.77-78)
Re Mungo Park's decision not to go to New South Wales.
Banks to Robert Moss, 21 September 1798 (Item ff.81-82)
Regretting Park's decision not to go to New South Wales.
Banks to Robert Moss, 28 September 1798 (Item ff.100-101)
Re Park 'it will not be difficult to fill his place'.
Banks to Caley, 16 November 1798 (Item ff.116-117)
Offering to pay him to go to New South Wales on Porpoise to collect seeds and specimens.
Banks to Governor Hunter, 1 February 1799 (Item ff.187-189)
Thanking him for sending particulars of the Colony; he should persevere - 'your colony is already a most valuable appendage to Great Britain'; recommends two convicts - brothers by name of Wilkinson from Consby, Lincolnshire.
Correspondence, 5 April 1800 - 29 October 1801 (File Volume 12)
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Governor Hunter (Sydney), 5 April 1800 (Item ff.61-64)
Bad weather has caused floods at Hawkesbury River settlements; problems with Irish convicts and two Roman Catholic priests; short rations; arrival of Governor King.
David Collins (London), 8 July 1800 (Item ff.71-72)
Re his service in New South Wales; he is now on half pay.
J. Barrow (Cape of Good Hope), 10 December 1800 (Item ff.133-135)
Re activities of Caley during stay at Cape.
Banks to Colonel J. Durham, 20 February 1801 (Item ff.181-182)
Re rank of Robert Brown in Durham's regiment.
Banks to Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, 23 February 1801 (Item ff.184-186)
Re rank of Brown in Fife Regiment now stationed in Ireland.
Patrick Neill (Edinburgh), 12 March 1801 (Item ff.190-192)
Desires to go as Naturalist on voyage of discovery which he hears is about to depart.
Articles of agreement with certain persons engaged to go to the East Indies to superintend the cultivation of hemp, 1 April 1801 (Item ff.193-196)
Admiralty to Navy Board, 15 April 1801 (Item ff.201-202)
Re scientists engaged to go with Flinders on Investigator.
Banks to Robert Brown, 15 June 1801 (Item ff.233-235)
With advice on collecting during forthcoming expedition.
Correspondence, 15 January 1802 - 9 November 1802 (File Volume 13)
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John Hunter (London), 15 January 1802 (Item ff.6-9)
Has been urging that an enquiry be held into his Government of the Colony; sends a copy of his statement which he has had privately printed [not included].
John Hunter (London), 22 February 1802 (Item ff.32-34)
Has failed to secure any consideration from the crown for his future subsistence; his endeavours in the Colony; asks Banks to use his influence with the Duke of Portland.
Hunter (London), 25 February 1802 (Item ff.36-38)
Expressing concern at Banks' reaction to his statement.
Matthew Flinders (Investigator, Port Jackson), 20 May 1802 (Item ff.114-118)
Happy to announce success of voyage surveying South coast of New Holland; French operations.
Robert Brown (Port Jackson), 30 May 1802 (Item ff.141-146)
Re sending some seeds; about 750 species of plants have been observed in South coast; his activities in zoology and mineralogy; activities of the French.
Correspondence, March 1803 - 4 March 1804 (File Volume 14)
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Robert Brown [Investigator, at sea], March 1803 (Item ff.22-26)
That shortage of provisions necessitates putting in to Timor; events of voyage - description of coast; fewer new species in Botany than he expected; met some natives - differences and similarities to natives of Port Jackson area; the coast is visited regularly by natives from Celebes collecting 'Terrepang' for sale to Chinese in Timor.
Matthew Flinders (Investigator, Timor), 28 March 1803 (Item ff.38-42)
Re events of voyage - has not found river to enable interior of New Holland to be explored; rotten timbers of Investigator - hopes to have another ship in which to complete the Survey.
Banks to Flinders, 10 April 1803 (Item ff.55-57)
Acknowledges his letters; does not think the French will be a threat.
Banks to [Fawkener], 22 September 1803 (Item ff.128-130)
Commenting on prospects for wool industry in New South Wales; believes McArthur is 'too sanguine' in his views.
Correspondence, 12 July 1804 - 18 April 1805 (File Volume 15)
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Captain Flinders (Mauritius), 12 July 1804 (Item ff.3-6)
Re his imprisonment 'the time passes drearily along'.
George Caley (Parramatta), 18 August 1804 (Item ff.42-45)
Sending skins and plants from Hunter's River; problem preventing vermin ruining skins.
David Collins (Hobart), 19 August 1804 (Item ff.50-53)
With account of Atriplex halimi folia and list of trees observed in neighbourhood of River Derwent.
Banks to French Institute, 22 August 1804 (Item ff.54-57)
Solicits their support for release of Flinders; account of Flinders' voyage and detention in Mauritius.
Ferdinand Bauer (at sea, en route to Norfolk Island), 27 August 1804 (Item ff.64-65)
Re his activities at Sydney; going to investigate produce of Norfolk Island.
Banks to Governor King, 29 August 1804 (Item ff.73-78)
That he regrets resignation of Lord Hobart who was sympathetic to the Colony; imprisonment of Flinders; proposal to found sheep breeding company - he has advised a grant of one million acres 'in such parts as Captain MacArthur shall chuse'; Caley has sent back interesting things; disapproves of granting of so many reprieves.
Banks to Robert Brown, 30 August 1804 (Item ff.84-86)
Re imprisonment of Flinders; specimens have been safely received; Westall has stayed in India - he has sent home some interesting sketches but his finished drawings were spoilt in the wreck.
Robert Brown (Sydney), December 1804 (Item ff.185-188)
Re expedition to Van Diemen's Land - not as rich in plants as he expected; visit to Hunter's River - could not explore far due to hostility of natives.
Matthew Flinders (Mauritius), 31 December 1804 (Item ff.230-231)
That sent Banks a general chart of Australia showing his discoveries by Walter Robertson two months ago.
Colonel Paterson (Port Dalrymple), 7 January 1805 (Item ff.253-258)
Re activities at Port Dalrymple; found superior timber, plants, minerals, animals.
Banks to William Marsden, 21 February 1805 (Item ff.290-291)
Re emoluments paid to scientists on Investigator.
Correspondence, 16 May 1805 - 8 December 1806 (File Volume 16)
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Matthew Flinders (Isle of France), 16 May 1805 (Item ff.14-18)
That sending home his accounts of Investigator's voyage with Mr Akin who is to be released due to ill health; begs Sir Joseph to write to show he is not forgotten.
P.G. King (Sydney), 20 May 1805 (Item ff.26-30)
That Investigator to return to England; sending specimens from Port Dalrymple and of Sandalwood from Fiji and Moluccas; good harvest; 'misunderstanding with natives … I hope we shall soon be reconciled again'; trouble from 'some seditious characters among the United Irishmen'.
Matthew Flinders (Isle of France), 5 July 1805 (Item ff.82-85)
That still no news from France regarding his release.
William Bligh (Lambeth), 13 September 1805 (Item ff.131-133)
Re division of command in New South Wales.
Banks to Bligh, 17 September 1805 (Item ff.134-135)
Expressing concern that New South Wales no longer to be under naval government.
William Bligh (Lambeth), 5 October 1805 (Item ff.140-141)
Re results of consulting public officers re command in New South Wales.
Banks to William Marsden, 19 October 1805 (Item ff.149-150A)
Re collections received from New Holland.
Matthew Flinders, 28 November 1805 (Item ff.172-174)
That now living with a family in centre of the Island and learning French.
William Bligh (Lady Sinclair, Spithead), 24 December 1805 (Item ff.175-177)
Foreseeing trouble in his relationship with Captain Short due to Admiralty policy.
Matthew Flinders (Wilkems Plains) to General de Caens, 9 March 1806 (Item ff.250-252)
Re the circumstances of his imprisonment.
Matthew Flinders (Wilkems Plains), 20 March 1806 (Item ff.253-258)
Re imprisonment; has written a journal which he will send to Banks; suggests an expedition should be made into the interior of Australia from Gulf of Carpentaria.
Banks to Sir George Staunton, 7 May 1806 (Item ff.265-267)
Re imprisonment of Flinders; new species brought back by Brown and Bauer.
Banks to Captain Milius, 24 May 1806 (Item ff.269-271)
Re the good impression he made in New South Wales; requests his help in securing Flinders' release.
Matthew Flinders (Wilkems Plains) to P.G. King, 3 July 1806 (Item ff.274-277)
Re the circumstances of his imprisonment.
Matthew Flinders (Wilkems Plains), 28 July 1806 (Item ff.284-287)
Sending his journal via Captain Larkins.
Banks to William Marsden, 7 August 1806 (Item ff.304-305)
Re efforts being made to secure release of Flinders.
Correspondence, 1 July 1807 - 23 December 1809 (File Volume 17)
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Matthew Flinders (Wilkems Plains), 1 July 1807 (Item ff.45-47)
That he sees no hope of release and is sending home his books and papers.
Matthew Flinders (Wilkems Plains) to French Minister of Marine, 8 October 1807 (Item ff.54-58)
Rre circumstances of his imprisonment.
William Bligh (Sydney), 5 November 1807 (Item ff.64-68)
Re conditions prevailing under King 'Government has been too intimately connected with society'; hopes for more settlers; his arduous duties.
Elizabeth Bligh (Durham Place), 14 January 1808 (Item ff.94-95)
Re rumours that Bligh has been superseded in the Governorship.
Flinders (Wilkems Plains) to any Royal Navy Commander, [n.d.] (Item ff.98-99)
Re circumstances of his imprisonment.
Matthew Flinders (Wilkems Plains), 24 January 1808 (Item ff.100-103)
That still imprisoned; his books and papers have been returned to him.
Elizabeth Bligh (Durham Place), 25 January 1808 (Item ff.104-106)
Sending drawings received from her husband; the charges against Bligh.
A true statement of the circumstances represented in the foregoing letter [re Captain Short's conduct] (Item ff.108-109)
Elizabeth Bligh, 1 February 1808 (Item ff.110-112)
Re charges against Bligh; encloses memorandum to Admiralty.
Abstract of some remarks on the trial of John McArthur before a Court of Criminal Judicature, Sydney, 2 February 1808 (Item ff.115-123)
(In hand of Robert Brown).
George Caley (Parramatta), 7 July 1808 (Item ff.168-198)
Re conditions in the Colony under Bligh.'I declare him an unfit man for a governor of this Colony'; the circumstances of the arrest of Bligh; his activities in fields of geography and natural history.
Banks to Caley, 25 August 1808 (Item ff.206-208)
That due to failing eyesight can no longer pursue study of natural history and no longer requires his services as collector.
Banks to Bligh, 25 August 1808 (Item ff.209-211)
Re activities of Captain Short; political conditions in England; his poor health.
Charles Greville, 20 September 1808 (Item ff.212-213)
That he is sorry to hear Bligh has been deposed.
Colonel Paterson (Launceston), 29 September 1808 (Item ff.214-217)
Re circumstances of Bligh's arrest; has not been able to collect plants owing to concerns of government; discovered fossils.
David Collins (Hobart), 1 October 1808 (Item ff.218-219)
Re arrest of Bligh; sending Banks black swans.
George Caley (Parramatta), 28 October 1808 (Item ff.220-231)
Re meetings with Bligh and Major Johnston; Bligh's depression; conduct of Faveaux.
Reverend Henry Fulton (Sydney) to Mrs Banks, [n.d.] (Item ff.234-244)
Re treatment of Bligh by New South Wales Corps.; Reverend Samuel Marsden's conduct towards him and the circumstances of his pardon.
Elizabeth Bligh (Durham Place), 21 December 1808 (Item ff.245-246)
Re documents on McArthur's trial; Norfolk Island is evacuated on orders from England; she has heard a rumour that General Nightingale is appointed Governor of New South Wales.
Banks to Mrs Bligh, 24 December 1808 (Item ff.247-248)
Has not heard that anyone is appointed Governor of New South Wales; believes that it would be better to entrust the Government to a military rather than a naval officer.
George Caley (Parramatta), 16 February 1809 (Item ff.253-262)
Re difficulties of collecting; wishes to bring a native, 'Moawettin' to England; greater use should be made of natives by naturalists; differences between 'bush' and 'water' natives; regrets cannot collect in Blue Mountains.
George Caley (Parramatta), 17 February 1809 (Item ff.263-272)
Re conditions in New South Wales 'we are still under the oppression of a mock government proceeding from usurpation'; actions of Colonel Paterson since arrival - taking on command of Colony; circumstances of the arrest of Bligh.
George Caley (Parramatta), 28 February 1809 (Item ff.273-282)
Re economic conditions in New South Wales - value of money falling; currency problems; wishes to return to England due to poor health.
Elizabeth Bligh (Durham Place), 30 March 1809 (Item ff.289-290)
Re news from New South Wales; John Blaxland and Mr Simmonds have been taken on board Rose at Cape of Good Hope.
George Burder (Hatton Garden), 13 October 1809 (Item ff.334-336)
That the Missionary Society have found it 'expedient' that their Missionaries at Otaheite should be married, they are sending out three or four 'decent young women' to Port Jackson under care of Reverend Marsden where the Missionaries can visit them; requests free passage for the women and for Tapiooe, a native of Tahiti, and for Tomma.
Reverend George Burder (Hatton Garden), 19 December 1809 (Item ff.344-345)
Re war in Tahiti 'their wars are generally of short continuance. (The natives reproach the Europeans for the length of their wars and think us more savage then themselves on that account)'; the Missionaries will have returned; hopes the women can travel in convict ship which is about to depart with one hundred female convicts.
Correspondence, 13 January 1810 - 21 August 1810 (File Volume 18)
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Correspondence, 20 July 1814 - 3 October 1816 (File Volume 19)
Filmed selectively.
David Collins (Hobart), 20 July 1814 [ie 1804] (Item ff.45-47)
Re arrival in Colony; Robert Brown has accompanied him and is collecting; Derwent is full of whales; is sending home specimens of kangaroo and 'native devil'.
Stamford Raffles (Buitenzorg), 18 September 1814 (Item ff.68-74)
That due to arduous duties, has not paid sufficient attention to natural history; Dr Horsfield's work in central areas; very little known about Java; his impressions of the country and people.
Banks to Sir John Barrow, 12 August 1815 (Item ff.174-178)
That his experience in Endeavour and the breadfruit voyage has shown him it is better to adopt a plan of sufficient extent in the first place (refers to exploration in Africa).
Correspondence, 4 February 1817 - 4 March 1819 (File Volume 20)
Filmed selectively.
Banks to Allan Cunningham, 4 February 1817 (Item ff.17-19)
That he is to join Lieutenant King's expedition to explore North and North West coast of New Holland.
Sir Stamford Raffles (Prince of Wales Island), 4 March 1819 (Item ff.168-169)
Re employment of naturalists; will send home a head of a Dugong; the Dutch are 'furious' that he has established a British Station at Singapore 'unless the authorities at home interfere to define the just limits of our respective authorities, we shall have nothing but disputes and quarrels'.