Good night, my dearest friend — heaven protect thee in peace
and give thee happineƒs.
Wed. Jan. 28. I dare not think on thee Annette. Thou canst
not — thou hast no busineƒs to know the agitation with which
I open a letter from thee. No Annette — forget me — write not
soon. Seize happineƒs, I pray thee, if it offers. I may be lost
or slain: — I may forget thee, or no longer love thee. I may
become avaricious, and search after fortune. Many chances
may prevent my return to thee. I shall do all in my power
to forget thee. Thy pleasures of memory will be put at the
back of my library. Every thing will be tried to keep thee
down. I will not attempt to root thee out of the bottom my
heart, but to smother the memory of thee. Adieu, my dear
friend. Thou wilt not find thyself forgotten by me
after a five years voyage. Thou wilt always com-
-mand my ^ ^kind recollection; and unleƒs a great alteration
takes place in my sentiments or thy conduct, thou wilt also
command my friendship and esteem. Thou shalt hear from
me once more before I sail; and I trust, that when thy
name becomes changed, thou wilt give me the information.
I again repeat, it will be important to me.
With remembrances to M^r and M^rs Tyler and thy
sister, and happineƒs to thee most earnestly wished for,
I am, thy sincere and anxious friend
                                Matt^w Flinders
8 P.M. Wednesday