WCP2204

[1]¹

THE CAMP,

SUNNINGDALE.

Jan[uar]y 24/ [18]94

My dear Wallace

I was not at home when the arrangements were made for Spruce's² going to the Amazons, but my belief is, that my father³ (possibly aided by the Duke of Bedford & others) advanced the funds for his outfit & voyage &c, to be repaid by the collections Spruce might make; my father also proving[?] promises of subscribers, & engaging that Kew^{4 & others} would take living plants & seeds at a fair valuation. What part Bentham⁵ took ^{in the origination}[?] ^{of the affair} I cannot say, but no doubt a most important one [2] including the laborious task of dividing and distributing the dried specimens, sending them to the subscribers & collecting the payments, thus saving Spruce all[?] the charges of agency &c &c &c.

In this way my father sent out Gardner⁶ to Brazil and Drummond⁷ to the Southern states of N[orth]. Am[erica]. Certainly Kew advanced nothing, the mission was practically I believe carried out by my father, who indeed originated it.

I dare say I could ascertain the number of sets of plants distributed & the total number of ticketed specimens — if you cared that I should do so — pray ask freely [3]⁸ for any further information that I may possess.

Ever Sin[cerel]y Y[ou]r | Jos. D. Hooker [signature]