Address:
M^rs Flinders
Partney
near Spilsby
Lincolnshire

              London Feb^ry 11^th 1808

To M^rs Flinders

Madam
            I had the honour of receiving your letter on the 9^th
and also the inclosed bill of five pounds for which I most humbly
thank you; although I cannot but reflect upon it for ^ ^your kind-
-neƒs and have accepted of it, yet it was much against my
inclination for so doing . — Before I left the Isle of France, cap-
-tain Flinders made me a present of 100 dollars, and would
paid ^ ^also my paƒsage home; but the latter I did refuse, and
embarked as a sailor frome [sic] there.
            According to your request I went to M^r Standert
with your compliments, and he gave me leave to take the
things you mentioned; and which I inclose in the parcel.
That is 3 table spoons, 1 large gravy spoon, 5 tea spoons, 1 pair
of sugar tongues; [sic] a small box containing 1 necklace, 1 locket
and 4 silver Indian coins: captain Flinders sealed these coins
himself

himself in a piece of paper long before I left the I. of France, indeed
I never saw them; as they were sealed when I gave them in charge
of M^r Standert; but after I requested them, to my great surprise,
the clerk (M^r Brian) of M^r Standerts had these coins in his poƒseƒ-
-sion and I found the seal was broken, and the coins four, in number
was wrapped up loose in another piece of paper; I told him he
had broke the seal, which he said he did, and that he thought
they might probably be spoiled was the reason (I spoke this in the
presence of M^r Standert to him) the latter said very little; the silver
spoons were also opened out in his poƒseƒsion in the desk; I only wish
and hope they are all safe, but I fear much there is 1 table spoon
and 1 tea spoon a wanting, but I am not sure, as Capt. F. put them
up himself, neither have I a memorandum of any, I will recollect
some few spoons was kept by C.F. but how many I cannot tell;
if he sent an account to you, Madam, you will favour me very much
after receiving this to let me know what number there might have been.
I reflect much upon myself for not counting the spoons when I gave them
in charge of this (clerk) as also the linen; to day I took the linen all out and
aired the best uniform laced coat – I found the following things, 3 Sheets,
3 table cloths, 6 Pillow cases; 1 Coat, 2 appalets [sic], 1 White uniform Waistcoat,
and 7 fine calico shirts mostly new, C.F. purchased 11 not long before I came
away, and some of these are the same, they want no repairs, and not damp
at all, I thought there was 8 shirts, but I cannot tell for there was no me^mo given me.

The trunk I was under the neceƒsity of opening at the custom house when
I arrived at Baltimore, in America, for the officers of the Custom House to
look into it; And when I arrived at Leith also the officers saw it opened
(requested it) and at Admiral Vashons in Leith, he was at the Custom House
when I was there procuring liberty to land it, and I had to tell what
things the trunk contained – But I always unlashed it and lashed
it myself and was always present; ^ ^{at these times} should there be 1 table spoon, 1 tea spoon
and 1 shirt missing, I could give my oath if required it was not while
in my poƒseƒsion; – Since I found the indian coins; the seal broken
which I never took upon me to do, I have not harboured a good opinion
of M^r Standerts (clerk) I only wish and hope that all is safe but I fear
it is not. – You mentioned you should tire me of your asking so many
questions, but that is not at all the case if as many more; and any
thing else that I know; in another letter you will there as near
as I can tell, and some from C.F.^s own mouth be informed of.
I did not much like to tell of C.F.^s making his escape from the
I of France, to you, for fear of giving you uneasineƒs, but since it
is your request, I will inform you of all particulars that I know
in the other letter also inclosed in the parcel,
                              I am, Madam your most
                                      obedient humble servant
M^r Standert requests
his compliments
                                              John Elder