Copy letter of introduction for Robert Fortune from Joseph Somes [British ship owner and politician] to his captains

Information

Title: Copy letter of introduction for Robert Fortune from Joseph Somes [British ship owner and politician] to his captains

Scope & content: Written from London

Letter of introduction for Robert Fortune addressed to 'captains of vessels belonging to him in the China Seas'

Fortune is the collector of the Horticultural Society of London ('commissioned by that body of gentlemen') to introduce European vegetables to China and to transmit Chinese plants to Europe; the plants are to be sent in closed, glazed cases and should be exposed to light and carefully protected; they should take on board any cases Fortune wishes to send; seeds sent by Fortune should be kept in the cabin or other 'airy place': 'if placed in the hold, they will certainly die'

The reverse includes a list of recipients, including captains J. Marshall of the Baretto Junior, C. Pryce of La Belle Alliance, J. Hillman of the Cornwall, R. Daniell of the Palmyra, J. Somes of the Sir Robert Peel and 'the commanders of any other of my ships that may be in China' [here the list includes 5 more names]