From Robert FitzRoy   20 June [1839]

Dear Darwin

Thank you for the communication respecting M^r. Brown. What your own opinions are you do not say—but I have no hesitation in telling you that upon his own showing I think he has treated King worse than I was before aware. It appears he has not only kept back King’s plants from the British Museum, but also from the Edinburgh for nine years! King’s letter to him might tell in law but is sadly against him with reference to feeling.¹

Though Anderson was (at all events partly) paid by a London Seedsman or Nursery Gardener—he was accommodated & victualled by the public for whose interests the Captain of the Ship was in some degree resp⁠⟨⁠on⁠⟩⁠sible to the Admiralty. ²

Your’s very truly | Robt FitzRoy

PS. I am eagerly and most agreeably occupied with your book— I will write in a few days about it.

We both beg to be kindly remembered to M^rs. Darwin whom I hope soon to see again.