The Green. Richmond
January 22. 1858
Dear Sir,
You will receive in a day or two from a Mr Stevens of Bloomsbury Street a parcel of 100 dried Madiera plants which you requested me to send you – As I am shortly leaving England I shall feel obliged by your remitting the value £2ּ at your early convenience – You are perhaps already aware of my intended visit to the Cape Verde Islands Much interest is felt in the scientific world in my proposed exploration of these, botanically almost unknown Islands.
The Gover British & Portuguese Governments have promised me every faculty in their power as you will see by the enclosed lithographed letter –
I am sorry that from various circumstances I could not send you much from Madiera. There are but few native bulbs
The Belladonna Lily, borithogatum arabium, Allium Triquetrum Scilla hyacinthoides being almost the only species.
Probably in the unexplored mountains of the Cape Verdes I may find something of interest to you and as you have in your previous letters fully explained your desiderata to me if you wish to transfer the commission to these Islands I shall be happy to look out for the plants – besides the dried plants your order was as follows
Bulbs & succulents to the value of £5 and Seeds to the value of £2 –
I shall be glad to know if I am to consider this order as transferred to the Cape Verdes and whether you wish dried plants or roots of any new or rare Ferns I know of several new Adiantums – If so perhaps you will be so good as to pay me £5 in advance which is the general subscription to my expedition this time –
If you wish for any particular Madiera or Canary plants and can give me the names I shall probably be able to send you them as I shall most likely spend a fortnight in Madiera on my way out and I have friends in the Canaries whom I would ask to forward <ill.del.> plants form that group.
Believe me my dear Sir yrs very truly
Nathl H. Mason