Recipe written out first, not in Cockell's hand; letter follows, addressed to Drummond at Bawtry. - 'You see I've not forgot my Promise, for above is the Receipt to Dress Turtle'. Contests the claim of the cook at the end of the letter that the recipe is 'said to be equally good (by West Indians) to their Turtle); believes she has never indeed ever seen a West Indian, rather, 'Mrs Frying Pan, has heard me say, that I almost liked it, as well as the Turtle I had eat at Barbadoes & other Islands'. Hopes Drummond has not forgotten his hat; asks for the man's address, so that a relative may go and pay him as soon as Cockell reecives it. Sends 'best Respects' to 'Mrs Drummond, & our little Plump Bottom'd Sand Lark'. Wouldn't have sent this on a Saturday had he not expected Drummond will remain at home a few days to 'look around'; otherwise 'I should have Peep'd into the Corn Mark[et?], or else taken a Squint at One O'Clock into the Farmer's Ordinary, where no doubt I should have found you after your Dinner, stuck betwixt two Jolly Dogs, one a Butler, the other a Grazier...'
Cavendish Square. - Regrets that Drummond has had the trouble of writing to him; had asked Mr Ross to explain to Drummond 'the Reasons which have invariably prevented my ever giving encouragement or assistance to Exchange of the kind which he proposed to me', but sets them out again now: 'if pecuniary considerations are once introduced or allowed, there will be scare such a thing as an Officer contented with his Corps', as officers in disgrace with their superiors will seek to leave instead of mending their conduct, officers in debt will look for someone to pay to exchange commissions rather than learning frugality, attempts will be made to avoid postings to 'a disagreeable station' abroad and so on. 'On this Ground I have been obliged often to disappoint the Wishes and Plans of Persons whom I have greatly loved & esteemed, & whom I would have served at any Expence but that of doing wrong'. Hopes to have other opportunities of promoting Mr [Peter?] Drummond', and 'can say with the utmost truth, there are not two men in the World whom I love, honour and Respect more than his Father and his Uncle'.
Soho Square. - Encloses specimen grown from Providential Clover supplied by Drummond: is the wild plant like it or like the ochroleucon [sulphur clover]?; only has a small patch of the latter.
Specimen of Trifolium striatum enclosed.