Address: Capt Flinders
                              H M Ship
                                        Investigator
                                                  Sheerneƒs

                                        Soho Square
                                          Feb 19 1801

Dear Sir
                        I give you sincere Joy at the
attainment of your wish in your appointment
of Commander. I have long known that it was
Certain but I am glad it is now placed beyond
the Reach of accident or the chance of administrations.

                        I think you should now ask for
Leave to come to Town to {overtask} the provisions
of instruments that will be neceƒsary in your
Purpose I wish to see you before I make any
application as I do not think you ought to
Follow the Precedant [sic] of Cap^t Vancouver who went
without an astronomer & besides in all these

that I am Concernd in I wish to have an
Carefull [sic] attention to economy manifested we will
talk this matter over when we meet I conclude
you have recommended a master & I hope you
have got Lieuts by this time

                              Your memoir is gone to {preƒs}

                                in haste yours Faithfully JB