Address:
M^r Tyler
Partney – Lincolnshire
For Miƒs Chappelle

Stamped: LINCOLN           SHEERNESS

                                                                at the Nore
                          H.M.S. Investigator Sheerneƒs
                                                      April 6. 1801

My dearest friend
        Thou hast asked me if there is a poƒsi- -bility of our living together. I think I see a probability
of living with a moderate share of comfort. Till now, I
was not certain of being able to fit myself out clear of
the world. I have now done it; and have accommodation
on board the Investigator, in which as my wife, a woman
may, with love to aƒsist her, make herself happy.
This prospect has recalled all the tenderneƒs which I have
so sedulously endeavoured to banish. I am sent for to
London, where I shall be from the 9^th to the 19^th or perhaps
longer. If thou wilt meet me there, this hand shall be
thine forever. If thou hast sufficient love and courage,
say to M^r and M^rs Tyler, that I require nothing more
with thee than a sufficient stock of clothes, and a small sum
to answer the increased expenses that will neceƒsarily ^ ^{and immediately} come
upon me; as well for living on board, as providing for it at
Port Jackson; for whilst I am employed in the most dangerous
part of my duty, thou shalt be placed under some friendly
roof there. I will specify this sum to be £200, or if great
inconvenience will result from advancing it, I will say
£150; and I leave every thing future to the justice and gene-
-rosity of thy parents and friends.
    It is but a bad specimen of my stability to change in
this manner, as appearances will bespeak I do; but it is
no change. It is only just now that I see attendant comfort;
the want of which only, kept me back.
    I need not, or at this time have I time to enter into
a detail of my income and prospects; it will, I trust, be suf-
-ficient

for me to say, that I see a fortune growing under me, to
meet increasing expenses. I only want to have a fair start,
and my life for it we will do well, and be happy. I will
write further tomorrow; but shall most anxiously expect
thy answer at 86 Fleet St London on my arrival on Friday
; and I trust thy presence immediately afterwards. M^r
or perhaps M^rs Tyler will most probably accompany thee.
I have only time to add, that most anxiously I am
        most sincerely thine
            Matt^w Flinders
It will be much better to keep this matter entirely
secret. There are many reasons for it yet, and I have also
a powerful one. I do not exactly know how my great
friends might like it.