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The Flinders papersletters and documents about the explorer Matthew Flinders (1774-1814)
 
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Letter from (Sir) John Franklin to Ann Flinders (5 of 5) (FLI27) Page 4


who has such busineƒs to transact – it is well known
that delay and often loƒs of the property result from
the principal person being absent – and under any
circumstance expense & risk would be incurred by
sending the neceƒsary documents here for his information.
    I therefore strongly advised his remaining in the ship
& returning to England that he might be on the spot –
and I told him that I would write and say this to you.
    Independent of this consideration I felt that he was
as yet too young to be placed in a situation in this
community where he would have no other control
over him than that of his Superiors during the hours
of office – he would at all other times be exposed
to the society of giddy & thoughtleƒs young men of his
own age – having no parent to guide him – I should
of course have given him such protection & countenance
as laid in my power – but this you may well suppose
from the nature of my duties – could not extend to
more than frequent enquiry & advice. The salary too
of such Youths is barely sufficient to maintain them
and they are therefore usually filled by youths who reside
with their parents – Our Local Marine is very limited and
though I might perhaps have ^ placed Mathew in that receiving a
[illegible] Pay – but I find he does not understand Navigation
and besides is not as yet of an age to be appointed one of the
mates – at present too there is no vacancy – I have told him
however that if after being home and the property is divided
and he should then like to return to this Country – I should be
glad to get something for him – if I were here – my time of Service
has expired – but I hear from my friends that I am likely to remain
some time longer – I should not object to a few years – in order
to carry out more the plan of Convict Disapline [sic] which I have
recently put into practise – otherwise I should be quite


continued on front page


ready & willing to go home at once – to renew my intercourse with
my dear family & friends – I regret to say that the Climate
agrees with all of us – my daughter especially who is now a
young Lady of 18 – though not a {tall} one – Lady F – Eleanor & Miƒs Creath
unite with me in affectionate remembrance to you & Miƒs Flinders
Beleive [sic] me ever most affly


      Your Sincere friend
            John Franklin


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Related people
Chappelle (Flinders), Ann
Flinders, Matthew
Gawler, (Lieutenant-Colonel) George Gawler
Grey, Sir George Grey (Captain Grey)
Frome, (Captain)
Flinders, Samuel
Franklin, John
Petrie, Ann

Places
St Vincent's Gulph, Australia

Related Documents
Other documents written by Franklin, John

Other documents received by Chappelle (Flinders), Ann