Address:
M^rs Flinders
Glos'ter Square
      Southampton

P.S. My veƒsel is named the Trent
at present in Dock at Shadwell but                   6 Robert Street Bedford Row
will proceed to Deptford in afew days                         Feb^y 18^th 1818
for the purpose of fitting out. If you continue to addreƒs me until March 15
        when we expect to sail, at M^r Brines I shall receive
                your letters [illegible] him.

My dear M^rs Flinders
            Owing to my not having called for some days on
M^r Brine I did not receive your kind congratulation before late
last Evening – among the numbers which have reached me
beleive [sic] me, there is none which I more highly value than
yours, since I feel aƒsured that it is the dictate of sincere
and true Friendship – I am not surprized that the word
Discovery should not poƒseƒs many charms with you – Nor
am I backward to confeƒs that voyages on such Service have
not the attraction I share, they once might have had.
experience has I think given us both a good leƒson on
that Subject!! My present expectations however open
much brighter than I could poƒsibly look for. The voyage
I am about to engage in is one of the greatest Interest
in every point of view, and appears to occupy the closest
attention of all the Men of Science in this great Metropolis –
The Admiralty and Royal Society with whom the arrangements
and preparations entirely rest – have shewn a liberality
and energy quite uncommon – In the fitting of the veƒsels
every poƒsible attention has been paid to our comforts;
and even our wants have been very generally supplied –
the Instruments are very handsome, and in fact every thing
appears to have been done, that the most sanguine expectation
could have looked for – The Service I apprehend will not be
one of danger though of considerable fatigue – we shall
go out perfectly prepared for wintering even on board our

Ships if caught in the Ice, which is by no means improbable.
I suppose the Commanders would prefer taking up their winter
quarters on Land – the woodwork of the Interior of our veƒsels
is fitted to take out and put in with the view of removing
the Beds &c on shore if preferred – I am attached to
that division going direct to the Pole under the command
of Cap^t Buchan a pleasant gentlemanly man and one I
should ^ ^suppose who will strive every nerve to accomplish the object.
Many are sanguine of our succeeding – I have not I must
confeƒs yet arrived at that point – though I really see
much reason to hope and none to despair in the various
Books which are written on the Subject. Although we
should not actually succeed in effecting the paƒsage – the observations
in these high latitudes will be of the greatest importance
to Science in general – we go with a great variety of new
Instruments and Instructions for the expreƒs purpose of
making observations. I most sincerely hope some benefit
may be derived for Scientific People from our enquiries.
Whether our Efforts are succeƒsful or not I apprehend the officers
employed will have reason to expect Promotion on their return
There is a Rumour that M^r Parry and myself the two Commanders
of the smaller veƒsels – will have our Promotion before we
Sail – I cannot however trace the rumour to a good source
I dare not therefore indulge in the hope – should it take
place I really shall consider myself as one of the most
fortunate of men – since succeƒs [illegible] might
lead to the other step – at any rate would always insure
my future employment: Sir Joseph Banks has been
a most warm Friend – and to him only am I indebted for
my present advantageous appointment – I think he is disposed
to go considerable length to aƒsist and should not be surprized if

he were even to ask for my Promotion previous to Sailing –
Respecting the Enquiries he made to me about your addreƒs I shall
be happy on satisfying you – Between two and three months
since he enquired of Fowler if he knew your addreƒs – and told him
it was probable he might have to write you – some conversation
then followed about your pension – he said he had recently had
conversation with M^r Barrow – and I think also that he expected to
have with Lord Melville respecting your pension – he wished
that it should be increased; since the Admiralty had given
M^rs Tuckey something considerable; Fowler told him he could
attain your addreƒs from me, and he (Fowler) desired me to
mention it when I went again which I did, but no conversation
then paƒsed. M^r Brown had previously told me he had
said to M^r Barrow that an increase should he thought
be made and that he also spoke to Sir Joseph who took
(he knew) an early opportunity of speaking to M^r Barrow
on the Subject – I have not since heard anything more
I shall be most happy if their enquiries produce what is
really just should be the case, a considerable increase in
your favour – should I learn anything – you may rely on
my communicating it to you – though appears it would be I think
prudent that I should not be known as the Author of any communication
My brother and his bride left Town this morning for their residence
[ends here as Franklin's signature has been cut away]

[PS continues on back page]
I should be quite delighted with your little Lady, her Spirit and
Life would be most agreeable to me, I cannot bear a mopish
child – I have no doubt she will prove an increased bleƒsing to
you, as she advances in years and becomes the companion.
I beg my very best thanks to your Mother and Miƒs Tyler for
their good wishes. I should feel great pleasure in having
the opportunity of seeing you all before Sailing – we shall
not however go near Portsmouth – but take our departure
[PS continues on back page other side but has been cut away]