I am treated as a son, except that I receive greater attention. How often have I ardently wished
that thou, my dearest friend and best love, wast here with me in the midst of these worthy
persons. Like me thou wouldst find in them a mother, brothers, and sisters; but I dare not
request thee to come out, for many reasons: amongst others, the fear of thy arrival after I
should be gone. The sole cause of my writing the inclosed letter was for the purpose of feeling
the pulse of the general. Preserve then for me, my only love, thy heart, thy kind affection,
thy health, for the happy, happy day when Providence shall please to suffer our reunion;
and be fully assured, that nothing can change the constant love and tender friendship,
with which I am thine own         Matt^w Flinders

      P.S. I shall request captain Henry Lynne, one of the prisoners with whom I have had
a correspondence, to write to thee from the Cape what he may then know of any prospect of
liberty for me. Kindest remembrances to all friends at Partney and Spilsby; and pray write
to my sister Susan, that I long to see the day when I shall have the happiness to embrace
her and my little name sake.

[Enclosure: ]

      Copy of a letter addressed to Colonel Monistrol, Chef d'etat-major-général
                                  Isle of France

                                                            Tamarinds July 25. 1809

Sir
      The various offers I have at different times made of subscribing to
any conditions which His Excellency the captain-general might think proper to
impose, and which should not be dishonourable to me, in order to obtain my
liberation or even my transmission to France as a prisoner, having been con-
stantly refused, and to all appearance will ever be refused; the despair of being
able to resume my voyage of discovery, or of seeing my family for many years
to come, or perhaps never, induces me to make the following request. I beg of
you then, Sir, to inform me whether His Excellency will permit my wife to
land and rejoin me, should she present herself before Port Napoleon? I re-
quest also, that you will be pleased to move His Excellency to grant her a safe
conduct for the voyage, as also for my brother or such other relation as may be
her conductor. It is years since I received a proposition from her to this
effect; but the delusive hope, that I should either be set at liberty in conse-
quence of an order from the French government, or from the justice and
humanity of the captain-general, have hitherto prevented me from agreeing
to it. But now, after six years imprisonment I am desirous it should
be put into execution; if His Excellency will be pleased to grant the neces-
sary sureties. — I beg you to be assured of the high consideration
with which I have the honour to be, Sir, your very obedient humble servant
      Matt^w Flinders