{Emmou} 1 August 1810

With a Man of your Science and precision My Dear Captain Flinders, I may perhaps
risk my credit a little by writing to you in my common negligent style, which has on other
occasions excited you to Mild Reproofs in the Rennel Manner. Our short Acquaintance
has, however, inspired me with all the confidence neceƒsary to aƒsure me that,
by an union of Talent and Friendly indulgence, I shall be read with far other
sentiment and feeling than thoughts on Criticism, but a trice with nonsense.
      When we parted we had little time to say much to each other. Events paƒsed
too rapidly, we had both too much to do in the time, and both had too long been out of
the habit of such rapid changes. But, that I felt almost as much Interest for you
as for myself is certain, and, that my fate did also interest you. I imagined
to be also evident, perhaps it was not neceƒsary that more shou'd be known on either
side to secure that Sympathy which is soon to bear to the heavens heart; nor can mine
forget your injunction, or its own bias, to cultivate the friendship it values and esteems
by means of literal correspondence and permit to aƒsure you that altho' I have not
dedicated my first moments to you, this is one of the very few I have had initialy [sic] to myself
      You cannot doubt how much our little Society miƒsed you – We toasted
you, Sir, like Englishmen. We sent the Heartiest wishes of your Countrymen (aye
and women too) to heaven for your Succeƒs in these times three loud & Manly Cheers
dictated by that sincerity which forms the glorious character [illegible] of our rough & poor
English. Nay, Waugh got drunk for you, and the ladies did each take an
Extra Glaƒs to you. Few Men know better how to appreciate Sentiment than yourself
I will therefore offer you no reflections of mine on the Satisfaction you must derive
from the unanimous concurrence of Esteem.
      After a Short paƒsage of twenty four days, we arrived at Madras on the 7^th
last, We had much bad weather and our ladies were a little Sickly; On the whole,
however, we had a very agreeable voyage. You may gueƒs that the charms of one
Young lady rendered it particularly so to me – I cou'd have worshipped the
little witch for life, but Fate, or in your Philosophic language, The General laws by
which the universe is governed, seem to have denied me this indulgence.
      We had no Adventures on the paƒsage, but such as was natural
to such an heterogeneous lot. –– Hope as you know, one of the most Gentlemanly
Young men in the World, rendered all right and proper, tied all together by the
influence of superior Manners. Whilst poor little Ramsden by the errors which a