My dear Sir

I beg to thank you for the courteous tone of your communication of the 10^th of May 1846, considering the circumstances under which it was written. I enclose a letter which I immediately wrote to Capt. Stokes & his answer;¹ these will, I trust, exonerate us of intentional impertinence. Some most malicious person must have sent my note to you. I have been much mortified by perusing it, & though I am not presumptuous enough to suppose that you can care much for my opinion of your work on Australia,² it is a satisfaction to me to be enabled to name to myself many individuals, to whom I have expressed my strong opinion of the many high qualities shown in your work, of which, the amusement it afforded, was but a small part. Your account of the aborigines I have always thought one of the most able ever written.— As we are not likely to have any further communication, permit me to add that I have a most pleasant recollection of our former acquaintance.—³

With much respect, I beg to remain | Your’s faithfully | Ch. Darwin His Excellency | Sir G. Grey⁴ | &c &c &c