Letter from George Forrest, Talifu [Dali], to Isaac Bayley Balfour, RBGE, dated 08 November 1904, in which Forrest confirms the despatch of 380 plant specimens collected on his recent journey to Tzekou [Cigu]. Next trip will be to the north of the Lichiang [Lijiang] valley, working the range of mountains which cause the Yangtze bend and along the base of an immense glacier on the eastern slope of the Lichiang peak. If this proves unproductive he will go on again to the Chung Tien plateau which he and Litton were the first Europeans to visit. Believes the range forming the Mekong and Salween divide to be exceptionally rich in rhododendrons, azaleas, gentians, primulas and a five foot tall lilium with immense white bloom marked in red and highly perfumed. Specimens have been collected by the missionary fathers at Tzekou who will send bulbs to Balfour and Bulley via consul Litton. Describes journey north into Tibet with Litton, leaving Talifu [Dali] on 29 August, returning 53 days later, having covered around 1000 miles. On being mobbed at the horse fair at Sung Kwei they had to draw their revolvers in defence but had some horses and mules stolen. Gives details of their route to and from Tibet, describing plants and vegetation and a river crossing by sling bridge, illustrated by a sketch. Has felt depressed since returning to Tali, probably a reaction to so much travel and constant exposure to wet conditions and extremes of heat and cold. Regrets that all his photographs were spoiled by dampness and intends to ask Bulley for a supply of photographic plates. Confirms that there is a pine belt in Yunnan and part of Tibet, generally starting at about 9,500 feet and continuing to about 15,000 feet.
Letter from George Forrest, China Inland Mission, Talifu [Dali], to Isaac Bayley Balfour, 'Regius Keeper', Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, dated 26 March 1905.
Forrest writes that he is pleased that the first batch of specimens has arrived and proved to be of such interest. Forrest hopes to send thousands from next season’s collecting, north and west of Tsekou [Cigu]. Forrest thanks Balfour for sending him photographic plates and books (which he has not yet received).
Letter is fire damaged with a small amount of loss.
Letter from George Forrest, China Inland Mission, Talifu [Dali], Yunnan, to Isaac Bayley Balfour, 'Regius Keeper', Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, dated 07 April 1905.
Forrest writes to apologise that he can only muster 105 specimens but promises he will have done better by his return to Talifu next January [1906]. By next mail will send two photographs of plants, one a primula and one a fumaria.
Plants referenced: Fumaria; Primula
Letter from George Forrest, China Inland Mission, Talifu [Dali], to Professor Isaac Bayley Balfour, 'Regius Keeper', Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, dated 27 March 1906.
Forrest writes expressing worry at a lack of communication from Balfour and hopes he has not offended him. Forrest thanks Balfour for the camera and all his kindness and encloses more photographs. Asks if the plants which he sent before leaving Tsekou [Cigu], and those collected during his escape from the lamas, have arrived. Asks that additional items be sent via Lao Kai, Tonkin, as there is parcel post between Tonkin and China, but not between Burma and China. Forrest has not heard from Mr Bulley for nearly 4 months and needs to know if his seeds have been of value before risking his life again.
Plants referenced: Meconopsis; Rhododendron
Letter has been badly fire damaged with some loss, including of text.
Letter from George Forrest, Sung Kwei, Yunnan, to Isaac Bayley Balfour, RBGE, dated 06 September 1904, in which Forrest describes the difficult journey from Bhamo to Teng Yueh [Tengchong], owing to atrocious weather; hospitable reception by Mr Litton, the consul. Travelled to Tali [Dali] with Mr Litton but has not yet found the plants required by Mr Bulley. Continuing to Tseku [Cigu] on the borders of Tibet where mountains are higher. Describes primula, saxifrage and gentian, some of the specimens already collected but regrets the loss of others owing to mildew. Promises to send a copy of his journal and do all in his power to add to the Herbarium collection.
Letter from George Forrest, Linden Cottage, Loanhead, to Isaac Bayley Balfour at RBGE, dated 17 August 1903, asking if there has been ‘something definite regarding the situation we spoke of when I called on you’.
Letter from George Forrest, Linden Cottage, Loanhead, to Isaac Bayley Balfour at RBGE, dated 19 February 1904 warning that, despite his interest in the work, it will be impossible to continue at the present rate of payment.
Letter from George Forrest, Linden Cottage, Loanhead, to Isaac Bayley Balfour at RBGE, dated 02 September 1903 accepting offer of employment.
Letter from George Forrest, Lichiang fu [Lijiang], to Professor Isaac Bayley Balfour M.D., 'Regius Keeper', Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, dated 08 May 1906.
Forrest writes enclosing a photograph of an orchid growing at 8-9,000 feet in the Tsan Shan [Cang Shan] range. He fears the north is closed to him for this year. Mandarin Li, prefect of Lichiangfu, who was in charge of operations in the Mekong valley has been ‘degraded’, his crime being pro-Europeanism and being too active in the execution of participants in the rebellion. Li has been recalled to Yunnanfu [Kunming] to answer charges and may lose his head. Since his withdrawal, Mekong valley has returned to its old state of chaos and reports of the quelling of disturbances in the north are false. The murderers of Pere Dubernard and Pere Bourdonnec remain unpunished, although in Chinese custody. ‘It is just the old story over again, the officials are at their usual game of “janging” and “squeezing” and, where a prisoner can pay for his life, no matter what his crime has been, he escapes.’ Forrest has received details of the deaths of Dubernard and Bourdonnec, too gruesome to relate. Missionaries have put in a claim for indemnity for their losses but it has not yet been paid. Forrest’s own claim has been partly paid, once he reduced the claim to avoid months of haggling. He deems it too risky to return to the Mekong-Salwin divide and has decided to spend the whole season in the [Yangtze] bend. He intends to travel south to Talifu [Dali] in October or November and spend two months arranging his collection before returning home in January or February 1907. Forrest asks if there is such a species as Primula Gibsoni and requests a description of Primula Wilsoni.
Plants referenced: Jasmine; Orchid; Primula
Letter badly fire damaged with some loss, including of text.
Letter from George Forrest, the 'Dak Bungalow', Bhamo, Upper Burmah [Myanmar], to Isaac Bayley Balfour, RBGE, dated 5 July 1904, in which Forrest gives an account of his journey from Rangoon to Mandalay by train and thence by river to Bhamo; he describes hibiscus in Rangoon and plants and vegetation growing along the river banks; preparations for journey to Teng Yueh [Tengchong] and Talifu [Dali]; difficulties in obtaining mules and interpreter; cholera in villages; intends to make a plant collection in his spare time which ‘shall be placed at your disposal on my arrival home’.