Papers of Ernest Henry Wilson, 1896-1952. Memorandum and agreement between James Veitch & Sons, and Ernest Henry Wilson, 1899.

The Agreement - dated March 1899 between Ernest Henry Wilson and James Veitch & Sons Ltd. to remain in force with the following alterations

Pec Line 1 as it stands in reference to object " 2 as modified in general construction " 3

E H. Wilson to receive a salary of £200 per annum from Feb. 1st 1903. until On return for at least a period of six months £150 per annum - during which period Ernest Veitch and E H Wilson are to use their best endeavours to obtain a suitable first for E H Wilson. Should such a post be immediately found the salary to cease, but if one be not obtained in six months Mess Veitch to favorably consider the point of further payment.

Section 4. as far as it applies respecting plant collecting " 5. as it stands " 6. as it stands - as far as possible " 7. as it stands

Shipping agents as before.

Should E H Wilson desire to undertake further trip Mess. Veitch are to have the first refusal of his services

Memorandum of an Agreement made the 11 day of April twenty seventh of March 1899 between James Veitch & Sons Ltd of the Royal Exotic Nursery, Kings Road Chelsea in the county of Middlesex of the one part, and Ernest Henry Wilson of Llyswen Villa Yardley Road, Acocks Green near Birmingham in the county of Warwick of the other part.

1 Ernest Henry Wilson agrees with James Veitch and Sons Ltd to proceed to China for a term of not more than three years for the purpose of collecting plants, bulbs, seeds and other objects of Natural History, the whole of which are to be collected for and sent to the said James Veitch and Sons Ltd, and to no one else, as opportunities may offer.

2 James Veitch & Sons Ltd agree to place at the disposal of Ernest Henry Wilson the sum of £500 per annum for the expenses of the mission, for which he will be authorised to draw, as he may require, upon James Veitch & Sons Ltd through their Agents; this sum of £500 is not to be exceeded without the permission of the said James Veitch & Sons Ltd.

3 The above mentioned sum of £500 per annum shall include the yearly stipend of Ernest Henry Wilson which shall be at the rate of One hundred pounds for the first year, one hundred and twenty five pounds for the second year, and one hundred and fifty pounds

for the third year, he finding his own wearing apparel; all other expenses connected with the mission and incurred with the approval of the said James Veitch & Sons Ltd. shall be defrayed by them. Ernest Henry Wilson may draw his salary or any part thereof while he is on his mission

4 The said Ernest Henry Wilson will proceed to China via the United States, calling on Professor Sargent, the Director of the Arnold Arboretum near Boston, Mass. en route. He will also on arrival at Hong Kong, call on Mr Charles Ford, the Superintendent of the Botanic Garden there and then endeavour to communicate with Dr. Henry as soon as possible according to the written instructions. He will act on the advice of that gentleman as far as practicable and follow as far as he may be able the general written instruc -tions received from Messrs. James Veitch & Sons Ltd previous to his leaving England. Ernest Henry Wilson will write to Messrs James Veitch & Sons Ltd as soon as possible after arrival in China, informing them of the plans he has decided on adopting for the furthance of the objects of the mission. He will constantly bear in mind that these objects are to procure tree and plants and seeds of plants likely to prove hardy in this country.

5 The said Ernest Henry Wilson shall send all seeds, bulbous roots and dried specimens

which he has collected by Steamer, and plants as often as possible also by Steamer, arranging with the Agents to insure the packages being promptly forwarded to England and always sending by post Bills of Lading of every consignment shipped.

6 It is intended by this Agreement that Ernest Henry Wilson shall remain sufficiently long in China to gain experience of the different flowering and seed-saving seasons, but he agrees to act in conformity with any instructions James Veitch & Sons Ltd may from time to time send to him. He also agrees to write to them not less frequently than monthly during the term of this agreement, informing them of his proceedings, and at the termination of each year, he shall make up and send to them a Balance Sheet of his accounts

7 The said James Veitch & Sons Ltd. shall be at liberty to recall the said Ernest Henry Wilson at any time during the term of three years herein agreed upon, and should the health of Ernest Henry Wilson give way at any time during the three years and he return to England under Medical Certificate, his expenses home shall be allowed him as if he had continued out the whole term.

The foregoing conditions mutually agreed upon and signed this twenty seventh day of March 1899.

Witness Charles Hester.

E H Wilson James Veitch & Sons Ltd

N B The Shipping Agents are J F Obree & Co 49 Queen Victoria Street London E C

All packages must be marked VS / 1 and upwards to care of this firm.

Friend referred to by Mr E H Wilson in case of any unforseen accident.

Mr S Skan Assistant, Herbarium Royal Gardens Kew Surrey

Memorandum of an Agreement made the eleventh twenty-seventh day of April of March 1899 between James Veitch and Sons Ltd. of the Royal Exotic Nursery, Kings Road, Chelsea in the County of Middlesex of the one part, and Ernest Henry Wilson of Llyswen Villa, Yardley Road, HayCock's Green near Birmingham in the County of Warwick of the other part

1 Ernest Henry Wilson agrees with James Veitch & Sons Ltd to proceed to China for a term of not more than three years for the purpose of collecting plants, bulbs, seeds and other objects of Natural History, the whole of which are to be collected for and sent to the said James Veitch & Sons Ltd and to no one else, as opportunities may offer.

2 James Veitch & Sons Ltd agree to place at the disposal of Ernest Henry Wilson the sum of £500 per annum for the expenses of the mission, for which he will be authorised to draw, as he may require, upon James Veitch & Sons Ltd through their Agents; this sum of £500 is not to be exceeded without the per-mission of the said James Veitch & Sons Ltd.

3 The above mentioned sum of £500 per annum shall include the yearly stipend of Ernest Henry Wilson which shall be at the rate of One hundred pounds for the first year, one hundred and twenty-five pounds for the second year, and one hundred and fifty pounds for