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-