Port Napoleon 10^th March 1810
Most Private

My Dear Sir           Some time ago I had the pleasure
of writing you a few lines requesting that you would
not impute either to inattention or forgetfulneƒs on
my part, the silence which I conceived it neceƒsary
to observe. In that letter I gave you hopes of being able
to obtain your release from the General without even
expreƒsing myself as strongly as I might have done.
At that time I judged from the General's manner
and it gives me the most sincere pleasure to have it
in my power to inform you that I was not mistaken.
I have had for some time ^past an indirect promise ^ ^{of your release}, but
I {asked} to have it fixed before that any communica-
tion should be made to you, as I am told the great
sometimes change their minds here. I am now certain
of getting you and am only anxious to get the final
letter despatched to you, announcing the agreable [sic] intelli-

-gence. Allow me to congratulate you on the occasion
Sir I now consider it fact all doubt that I shall have
the pleasure of your company to India, and to expreƒs
at the same time the satisfaction which I feel in
being the means of restoring to his friends, his family
and his country, a man so worthy of their esteem
and admiration. It would be impoƒsible to [illegible] to
you the different conversations which I have had on your
Subject. I can only aƒsure you that they have been all
to your advantage. I was anxious that Monistrol
should have written to you first announcing your release
but as the preparations for the departure of the frigate
have delayed his [illegible], I cannot poƒsibly allow
you to remain any longer in suspence, although
I should wish that nothing be said on the subject
untill it be [illegible] announced to you. From what
Monistrol said I think that it is the intention
of the General to stipulate that you should not bear

arms during the war. I think that I can obtain
that the obligation not to bear arms should extend
merely to the Seas to the Eastward of the Cape of
Good Hope, as I believe their allarm [sic] is for this place.
What are your wishes on the Subject? I am afraid
your going to India may be inconvenient to you
but it is better to get away than to wait for another
invasion. Capt Ramsden desires to be particularly
remembered. His not writing to you was at my
request. I have been considerably disappointed in
not being able to visit you. I have not been refused
but finding that there was some difficulty I
considered it better not to push the request. I have
found Monistrol very obliging in respecting you and
well inclined to serve you. I intend giving this
to your friend M. T Pitot whose most agreeable
manners have {prepoƒseƒsed} me very much on his favor.
You may depend that no delay on the subject

shall take place that I can poƒsibly help for I am
doing my utmost to get the communication made
when I will write to you again.
    Believe me to be
    your very Sincere and
        obedient Servant
            H Hope

P.S. Since writing the foregoing part of this letter it has
struck me that Col Monistrol might let me see you
or write to you on the Subject of your release, in which case
I think it would be better that you were to refer him to
me as probably I can procur better terms, and speak
my sentiments more openly than you could do. I have
already offered to be answerable for you whatever
terms you may be released which is sufficient reason for
every thing being done by now.
        Yours
                H Hope