Confidential
Royal Gardens Kew
June 22 /[18]72
My dear Grant Duff *1
The signees of the Enclosed have requested me to forward a reply to you.
I am given to understand that the Treas[ur]y, now that the correspondence is being called for, intend to answer my letter of May 1st (see p. 22--24).
I only hope that they

may not complicate matters by an answer that will not be satisfactory to those who have signed the address.
Should you happen to be intimate enough with any one in the Treasury, & felt at liberty to do so, it would be well that the office should be advised to consult some practical & scientific

men, on the subject of the position & responsibility of the Director of Kew, before answering my letter; & before Mr Gladstone answers the address.
Mr [Acrton Smee] Ayrton's conduct since he had the warning, is as bad as before it; & I really do not see how I can

retain office. I have however left my case in the hands of my friends & shall abide by their counsel.
Ever very si[ncerel]y y[our]s | Jos .D. Hooker [signature]

Private The Duke thinks that the Gov[ernmen]t message to Ayrton, to trust me as "Head of the local establishment at Kew" puts me right officially.
That it is not so, the enclosed copy of a letter now sent to his grace will I think prove -- please read & return it to me.
I am most desirous to be right in the Duke's opinion, especially now that my friends have taken the affair up on scientific grounds.

4/367 91. Dr. Hooker
&. Ayrton