23rd December 1809

My Dear Sir
    You must attribute either
to neglect or forgetfulneƒs the silence which I have
hitherto observed towards you as I requested Cap^t
L. to communicate to you that I should leave
nothing untried to obtain your release. I am perfectly
acquainted with all the circumstances relating
to you and you may rest aƒsured that it is my
anxious desire as it must be of every Englishman
to obtain the liberty of a person so unjustly
detained and who has rendered such services
to his country. Some unavoidable delays have
prevented my seeing his Excellency which
is the reason of my now writing to you