Calcutta 12^th October 1810

My Dear Flinders
        I avail myself of the first opportu-
nity which has presented itself direct to England to give
you an account of our proceedings from the time you left
us. We arrived at Madras the 7^th of July without any
remarkable occurrence save Owen's loosing [sic] his heart
to Miƒs Butler. The arrival of the Cornelia twenty four
hours before us had informed the Madras Govern-
ment of the departure of the Cartel from the Isle
of France, a circumstance which gave general satisfac-
tion as it was universally believed that the Cartel
had been lost off the Islands. Lord Minto having
sailed about a month before for Bengal I stopt [sic] only
three days at Madras to land the prisoners and
take some fresh water on board. Owen was obliged
to remain at Madras to his great regret and allow me

[illegible] to proceed on to Bengal. We arrived in the river
on the 18^th after experiencing a good deal of bad weather
off the Sandheads. I was received by Lord Minto in the most
gracious manner and all my arrangements were ap-
proved of in the most gratifying manner. Your libera-
tion gave the greatest satisfaction, indeed so great was the
wish to obtain your liberty, that any sacrifice that I
had made would have been approved of. At Madras
it was at first believed to be a mistake of the names
from Lord Minto having given me no public instructions
on the subject. I heard from Pringle of your arrival
and detention at the Cape from want of a veƒsel to
proceed on your voyage but it gave me much pleasure
to learn that you had got so far for I was afraid of your
falling in with the cruizing Squadron from the Isle
of France. Since my arrival here all the divisions
of the expedition against the Isle of France ^ ^{have sailed} and from
the number of men embarked little doubt need be

entertained of their succeƒs. 6000 Europeans from this
country 2500 from the Cape and 1500 from the
garrison ^ ^{of Bourbon} exclusive of a large body of [illegible], Marines
& Sailors from the Squadron the whole of which will
amount altogether to above 20,000 Men. I might have
been of the expedition but did not think it right that
I should appear there in a hostile character so imme-
diality [sic] after having been there as a Neutral upon
account of appearances. My reasons were approved of
so here I remain. During my absence a vacancy had
occurred in my office and strong interest
was made to have me superseded but his Lordship would
not hear of it and upon my return I found myself
in better circumstances than I expected. Respecting
my paƒsengers, Miƒses Barton & Butler are gone
up the country and the two Miƒs {Mackays} are
looking out for husbands in Calcutta and have
already several admirers. Poor old M^rs Scott

was very ill received by her husband who is a greater
brute than I had even imagined him to be. I have
scarcely seen her since our return, she has been so
unwell and old Scotts hospitality and politeneƒs
amount to looking through the window and bowing
to his visitors. I shall be impatient to hear how you
found your family. Their surprise at your arriving
upon them so unexpectedly must have been very
great indeed it must have almost heightened the
pleasure of seeing you. I had a letter from Monis-
trol a few days ago desiring to be particularly re-
membered to you. He wanted to gall me with a
story of peace but it would not take. I beg
you will accept my Sincere wishes for your
health and happineƒs and present my

respects to M^rs Flinders
        and believe me to be
        Very Sincerely Yours
                H Hope

May we expect to see you in India?