Address:
M^rs Flinders
6 Great S^t Helens
        Bishopsgate Street
                London

Stamped: PORTSMOUTH

Annotated: July 1801

                  Star & Garter Portsmouth
                            July 7. 1801
    I came on shore this morning with a good pros-
-pect, I thought, of receiving my sailing orders, but
it is not so. I am however rewarded by thy kind
letter of yesterday, and I answer it before I return
on board, to save a boat the trouble of coming on
purpose, as it blows and rains.
    If thou feelest able to travel, I shall most
heartily be glad to hear that thou art gone to
thy mother. Her kind attention and those of thy
friends, and ^ ^the chearful [sic] spirits of my Belle, will
recal [sic] thee to thy wonted composure. Pray my
dearest, say to her that I hope she will make thee
laugh half an hour every day; and if she does
I will kiƒs her to pieces when I come back, and
love her twice as much as I do now if I
can.
    I have this morning written to Thomas
Franklin before I came on shore. I had not in-
-deed any thing very particular to say to him

but it was neceƒsary to write before we sail, and
I wished to expreƒs some part of the friendship
I feel for him and to speak thee; for indeed
my love, thou art the end of all my actions.
To live a life of quiet with a comfortable sub-
sistence, with thee, is the utmost of my wishes.
Discovery no doubt has its portion in me, but
it is only the stepping stone by which I hope
to enjoy thy love undisturbed; and believe me
my best beloved, had I a moderate competence
for thee, I should not grieve if the discovery
of New Holland should be reserved to another.
Depend upon my love, thou dearest of women,
and fear only that it should interfere with
the zealous execution of ^ ^my duty. Thou carriest
my heart with thee. How shall I do well without
it and thee. May the God of health crown
thy journey with its reward. Under the care
of thy kind father in law, thou canst not want
comfort; and in the kindest manner give my
affectionate regards to him.
    I should not forget

to say that the gentle M^r Bauer seldom for-
-gets to add "and M^rs Flinders' good health" after
the cloth is withdrawn; and even the bluff M^r
Bell does not forget you. Your friend dripping
pan is behind me in another box in the coffee
room. Heaven preserve him against very hot
weather.
    Thou wilt write me volumes my dearest
love, wilt thou not. No pleasure is at all
equal to that I receive from thy letters. I have
indeed almost given up every thing since thou
    left me. I go on shore seldom, and
    then only upon busineƒs. I keep retired
and think on thee. The idea of how happy we {ought or might}
be, will sometimes intrude itself, and take away
the little spirits that thy melancholy situation
leaves me. I can write no longer with this con-
-founded pen. I will find a better tomorrow. Thou
wilt not be gone before Thursday at noon.
May the choisest [sic] bleƒsings of heaven go with thee
thou dearest, kindest, best of women.
    Remember me kindly to M^r and M^rs Hippins
and continue to love thy adoring husband
      Matt^w Flinders