Address:
M^rs Flinders
        Partney near Spilsby
        Lincolnshire
Stamped: SPILSBY
Annotation:
Nov^r 15^th             1809
N^o 37

                        Wilhems Plains in the Isle of France
                                      Feb. 27. 1809

      On the departure of my last letter, commenced Aug 14 and finished Oct
25., I had, my dearest friend, great apprehensions of not soon having another oppor-
tunity of writing to thee; but the unexpected departure of a cartel for Brazil
with Portuguese prisoners, gives me an occasion which I hope is tolerably sure.
      For fear that my last letter should have miscarried, which however was
sent in duplicate, I will inform thee, that no change whatever has yet taken place
either in my public or private situation. By three different occasions, I sent a
long memorial to the French minister of marine which, if the ships have not
been taken, is arrived in France before this time; and lest they should be taken,
I made my arrangements in such a manner as that my letters should not be thrown
overboard; and I hope that, if they reached England, the ministry would send
them to France. The last copy was accompanied by several letters from persons
in this island to officers under the French government, pressing them to use
their influence in my cause which they represented to be that of justice and hu-
manity; and I wrote also to some others, whom I judged disposed to assist me,
to the same effect. If these have any success, it may be hoped that between this
time and the end of June, general De Caen will receive such an order, either
for ^ ^my liberation or transmission to France, as he will find himself unable to re-
sist; and should nothing arrive before the end of July, I have taken mea-
sures to quit the island by other means soon afterwards; as, however, these mea-
sures depend upon others in part, the success is not altogether sure, though
it is very probable.
      Since Aug. 1806, my love, I am totally a stranger to every thing that
has passed amongst my relations and friends in England, as well as in our
private affairs; next to my liberty, this reflexion [sic] occupies most my thoughts, and
is the subject that gives me the most inquietude. I know not what arrange-
ment thou hast made with M^r Tyler, — how my brother Samuel is employed;