Address:
M^rs Flinders
7 Mary Street
            Fitzroy Square
                        London

Stamped: SHEERNESS

                          Fountain — Sheerness
                                          April 22. 1812
                                          ten a.m.

My dear love

      I have just now received thy welcome letter;
and am sorry to say that it appears impossible I should be
able to get back tomorrow. We did not half finish our experi-
ments, and from the difficulty of making them completely,
I fear that it will take me today and tomorrow to finish, even
with fine weather. Happily this is a fine and moderate morning.
      By the neglect of the servants in whom I confided,
I am not up this morning till nine; and I am obliged to go im-
mediately to the admiral's to report yesterdays work; and then
to go off again to the Great Nore. Thus far, the experiments
have answered by [sic] expectations.
      I am obliged to conclude.
                    Thine most affectionately
                                      Matt^w Flinders

If M^r Dixon comes on Friday, refer him to Monday morning
for greater certainty.