Address:
        M^rs Flinders
T^o .
    at M^rs Tylers
    Walker Gate
        Beverley
          Yorkshire

PS I worried last night and scarcely yet recovered the agitation
of mind which the visit occasioned —

                Mavis Enderby October 1^st 1810

My dear Madam

      I should not have delayed so long, offering
my warmest & sincere congratulations on the happy
event of Capt Flinders's release and the consequent
alleviation of ^ ^which your mind must have received; had
I not found M^r Standert poƒseƒsing much fuller infor-
mation; had written the evening on which the
information was known in London & until my
call there I was ignorant of your addreƒs.

Believe me Madam the news of his arrival at the
Cape gave to every one who knew him in London
infinite gratification – to none more than myself;
my feelings ever were most alive to his Sufferings
& exclusive of the interest I neceƒsarily must take
in his welfare – I feel and ever will cherish
the strictest friendship & sincerity for his goodneƒs
and constant attention to me
His arrival in this country may be soon expected. –
promotion I should suppose will immediately
be given him, indeed I trust every {step} will

be made on the part of his friends to get his
post rank dated some years back. – but the
Admiralty are so tenacious of their official custom
& etiquette that it will require the most strenuous
exertion to overcome former precedents. –

I fear Captain Flinders has expreƒsed disappoint-
ment and felt hurt at my not writing. – but really
M^rs Flinders I have paƒsed the time since our seperation
without meeting any opportunity or having any prospect
of letters reaching him, – When his addreƒs first
reached me we were on the eve of sailing for
Cadiz & the Mediterranean – and never during our
stay met with any conveyance to America – then
came the American Embargo which prevented
any communication, except perhaps through the
Secretary of States Office, the difficulty of getting
letters conveyed there when abroad appeared
to me insurmountable – From the Brazils there
was a prospect of conveyance through the Cape
of Good Hope – indeed I wrote a long letter, – but before
any ship sailed – I met two gentlemen who had
known Cap^tn F. in the early part of his confinement

They mentioned the suspicion which De Caen had and
recommended to defer a few months sending the letter
Such advice attended with the consequences they said
might arise from giving any ground for stronger
suspicion – determined me to tear it up, – & in a
few months more the port was declared in a
state of blockade – that put the bar to all commu-
-nication from an individual; indeed had I written
from Rio – having no friend at the Cape my letters
must have been left with careleƒs people – or
at least with persons whose interest was not
concerned in forwarding them.

I had a letter this morning from him to Thomas
he alludes therein to some difference in opinion
which always existed between Samuel F & myself
I wrote to him on the subject after leaving Wreck Reef
he appears satisfied with my conduct – yet I often
think he supposes from my silence that I am
not pleased with the last conversation him & myself
^ ^had on the subject at Wreck Reef – should such an im-
preƒsion remain on his mind may I ^ ^beg you will
remove it – believe me there is no person to
whom I feel stronger attached thoughts for the
person who caused the only shade of difference we had and

back page – one side

just at parting too. – I never had any nor can I poƒsibly
have respect – You will excuse my entering on
this latter subject; the circumstance has given
me much uneasineƒs. I may perhaps sail from
England before his arrival and not have an opportunity
of explaining the true causes for some time

back page – other side

I intend writing before my ship leaves England – and
I have the letter in M^r S. Pencots poƒseƒsion – he will
then receive it on his arrival in London.
My sister Betsey and family write in congratulations
and respects – I must request you to present mine
to M^rs Tyler & Miƒs Isabella. Believe me with great sincerity
          John Franklin