The documents in this series were previously located at ML A81 and ML A82. They are part of an accession of Banks papers purchased by the Public Library of New South Wales from Sotheby's, London, in May 1929.

It is now not possible to reconstruct Banks' original arrangement, the series has therefore been arranged chronologically.

In May 1793, Christopher Smith, botanical gardener and collector, was recommended by Sir Joseph Banks to the position of gardener at the Honourable East India Company's botanical garden in Calcutta. Smith, not yet returned to England from the voyage under William Bligh on HM Ships Providence and Assistant, was appointed assistant to William Roxburg...