[[1]]
My dear Father
Your disappointment at not seeing me so soon as you must have expected
cannot have exceeded my own -- we arrived here at 3[?] am this morning. I
had Cap[tai]n Ross's permission before leaving the ship to go home as soon
as we should arrive at Deptford or Woolwich, but the Commander Mr Bird
does not feel himself now authorised to grant me 24 hours leave! I might get it
by applying to higher powers here or might meet further refusals. I preferred
writing at once to Cap[tai]n Ross, whose answer I expect tomorrow morning. I
received your card at 5 this morning I wish I had seen its owner. --
[[2]] I believe the Commanders conduct arises as much or more out of
ignorance (he is a terrible lout) than illwill. -Best love to all | Your most affectionate Son | J D Hooker[signature]
To
Sir W[illia]m J Hooker
R[oya]l Gardens
Kew *1
ENDNOTES
1. The address appears here as the letter would originally have been folded in
such a way that it formed its own 'envelope'. The address reads Sir Wm. J.
Hooker | R[oya]l Gardens| Kew.
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