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The Flinders papersletters and documents about the explorer Matthew Flinders (1774-1814)
 
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Letter from Matthew Flinders to Ann Flinders (20 of 41) (FLI25) Page 3


and yet I often retire to the little pavilion which is my study and bed-room
and with my flute in hand, and sometimes tears in my eyes, I warble over the
little, evening song of which I sent thee a copy. Ah my beloved, then my heart over-
-leaps the distance of half the world and wholly embraces thee.
      From the letter I received from Sir J.B. I expect that the first ship of war that
shall arrive here from France will bring an order for my liberty. Such an ar-
-rival, however, very seldom happens, and I have been so often disappointed that
I am almost afraid now to permit myself to expect with much anxiety. Per-
-haps six months will terminate my captivity, poƒsibly three may, and it is
even poƒsible that one month may be the termination. According to the first, I
might expect to be in England by Nov. 1806; according to the second, by Aug
1.1806 and the last by April or May 1806.
      I did not find the letter of Sir J.B. so kind as I could have wished. I
see that he is not satisfied with the conduct I have observed towards the French
government here. I have rather considered the justice of my cause than poli
    policy, and have therefore, in his estimation, treated them
    with too much haughtineƒs, and by that means have length-
-end [sic], or perhaps caused, my imprisonment. I am sorry for this opinion which
he seems to entertain, but it is very difficult for a man to treat another
with respect, from whom he is conscious of having deserved well, but by whom
he finds himself deprived of his liberty and otherwise ill-treated. Should
the same circumstance happen to me again, I fear I should follow nearly
the same steps.
      Thy account of my cousin Henny's happy situation at Spal-
-ding
, as well as her own letter, give me pleasure; but more particularly
the situation of my two young sisters under so able an instructreƒs. I propose
to write to them all by this conveyance. The bankruptcy of my cousin Wil-
-liam both surprised and grieved me. I cannot think it has arisen from
the impropriety of his own conduct: a want perhaps of calculation, or
the folly or villainy of others, has occasioned it: his re-establishment seems
to bespeak this and gives me as much pleasure as his re-establishment
itself. — What can be the distreƒses into which the Franklin family
has fallen? I am not leƒs interested for them than for my own relations.
The present situation of John F. and of young Lound did not enter into
thy list! — My poor uncle Samuel Ward has, it seems, paid the debt
of nature. From his character I have always suspected that he would
leave his property to our family, although our intimacy with him of late


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Related people
Chappelle (Flinders), Ann
Banks, Sir Joseph
Flinders, Henrietta
Flinders family
Pitot, Thomas
Tyler, (Reverend) William
De Caen, Charles Mathieu Isadore
D'Arifat
Franklin family
Franklin, John
Lound, Sherrard
Flinders, Samuel
Tyler, Isabella (Belle/Bell)
Standert, A.
Flinders, Matthew

Places
Partney
Spilsby
Ile de France (Mauritius)
Spalding

Words and phrases
Cartel
Parole
Dragoons

Related Documents
Other documents written by Flinders, Matthew

Other documents received by Chappelle (Flinders), Ann

Other documents written in 1805