[located upside down in the front of the part journal of HMS Providence

To C. Smith Esq. Botanist Calcutta
H.M.S. Reliance
May 1799

My dear Friend
Before you receive this, you will most probably
have heard from me, by a letter I wrote by M^r Ferguƒson of the Re-
-becca, nearly of the same date: In that I mentioned M^r Baƒs
Surgeon of H.M.S. Reliance, as being with me in the circumna-
-vigation of Van Diemens ^land:- that Gentleman I now beg leave to in-
-troduce to your acquaintance, as the most intimate friend of
your old meƒsmate ^ ^{has had} since he parted with you. It will be unneceƒsary
to give you any detail of his superior abilities and acquirements,
men of much leƒs penetration than ^ ^{my friend Smith} must soon be sensible of them. I will
therefore only say, that M^r Baƒs is a Gentleman for whom I en-
-tertain the greatest respect and esteem; and whatever attentions you
may pay ^ ^{to him} and ^ ^the aƒsistance you may give ^{can afford} him in his pursuits, by intro-
-ductions to mercantile and other Gentlemen ^ ^{or otherwise}, I shall always
^esteem consider them as being doubly paid to my self.
Having so very lately wrote you a long letter, I have nothing
more to say, than that I hope to hear from you at the Cape; and
that an attention to my friend ^Baƒs will be ^ ^{to me} the most grateful proof of your
friendship. for ^{from me} Believe me, my dear Smith, to be with esteem and
affection your very sincere friend     Matt^w Flinders

___________________________________________________________

To Capt. P. Malcolm H.M.S. Suffolk               Port Jackson Jan^y 17th 1800

Dear Sir
I have taken the liberty of writing a short letter to you in
the month of April last, directed to the Fox; probably it may not
have reached you. The intention of it was merely to remind you
of a former acquaintance, who having a great respect for you
would be sorry to be forgotten. Therein I mentioned some discove-
-ries made by me upon this coast, particularly the seperation of
Van Diemens Land from New Holland, by a strait of about 90
miles in width; and I am ^{we are} now given to understand, that it is in
the contemplation of Government to send out one or two veƒsels
to carry on the examination of this still immense island, the
command of which, report has given to me, although the material
discoveries already made must be unknown to them. The Reliance

however being to sail for England in a few weeks, it will by no means
be worth my while to remain upon an uncertainty; more especially, as
we may probably arrive before either one or both of them shall have
left England. It is probable we shall not touch at the Cape, as I before
mentioned to you, and therefore should you have thought it worth
the trouble to have dropped me a line there, it will miƒs us; S^t Helena
is thought to be the only place where the anchor will be dropped be-
-tween this and England.
    Lest prolixity should displease, I will soon break off, and only
observe that I recollect the countenance and favour which you
showed me at Jamaica, with gratitude; and that that, with the
opinion I entertain of your profeƒsional abilities and honour ^goodneƒs, have
been the cause of my present writing, by making me ambitious of
a continuance of your acquaintance; should you not think that
fortune, ability or any other great requisite, has not placed too
great disparity between us me at too great a distance from you.
    Captain Waterhouse desires his remembrances may be made
to you, with which I conclude myself. Dear Sir, with respect
and esteem,
            your sincere friend and humble servant
                        Matt^w Flinders

Mr R. Braithwaite now a farmer upon the banks of the Hawkes-
-bury desires me at this moment to make his rememembrances [sic]
to which I will add a request of my own, to be favoured with a line
from you: it can be addreƒsed to M^r M^c Cullocks