Letter 0309

[fol. 63] Sr Not long since one Mr Pratt a Gardener a person (as himself told me) well known to you, who now lives with Sr Tho. Willughby son & heir of my worthy friend & benefactor Francis Willughby Esquire, being heer with me, & hearing that you were returned from Jamayca, & had brought over with you among many other naturall rarities diverse seeds not common by you discovered in that & & the neighbouring Islands, engaged me to write to you, to entreat you if you have not already disposed of them, to communicate some part of Sr Thomas, who I know will be very thankfull to you for them. Mr Pratt will take care of them, & part of the product you may command. Being advised by Dr Robinson that my first Letter in answer to yours miscarried I wrote a second, wch I hope came to your hands. I should be glad to hear what progresse you have made in order to the publishing your curious observations & discoveries, whereby you will much oblige the learned Naturallists of this Age, & erect a lasting monument to your memory. I am Sr, Your very humble servant John Ray Black Notley Jan: 8 – 89