Copy letter from J.L. [John Lindley, assistant secretary of the Horticultural Society of London] to Mr Fortune [Robert Fortune], Hong Kong

Information

Title: Copy letter from J.L. [John Lindley, assistant secretary of the Horticultural Society of London] to Mr Fortune [Robert Fortune], Hong Kong

Scope & content: No address

He acknowledges receipt of a letter dated 31 Jan; the seeds from Lord Saltoun [Alexander George Fraser, British army general and politician, who fought in the First Opium War in China] were safely received in a good condition, including the Cupressus from Shanghai, about which they want to know more; they have not yet heard any news about the Cornwall; the council wishes to know whether a garden has been established in Hong Kong, as there are reportedly good spots on the hills with a cool climate, and they would like to receive an account and a plan of the garden; Sir Thomas Williams [unidentified] told them about a place called Woo Sung [Wusong, Shanghai, China] that would be a good place to visit due to its cold climate, and about a vegetable in Shanghai resembling a potato or a Jerusalem artichoke; Captain Scanlan [captain of the Emu] is transporting a box of optical instruments for Fortune to give as presents to 'the Chinese population'; they will be happy to send more seeds anytime, but will send a fresh supply in the autumn