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

Stamped: SHEERNESS

                            Fountain Inn – Sheerness
                                        April 20. 1812

My dear love

      I had very little company in the coach to Cha-
tham; and we arrived there about seven on Sunday evening. I
found, that a passage boat was going off to Sheerness in a quarter
of an hour; and preferring that opportunity to getting up very early
next morning, I went on board her with my trunk; after taking
a glass of grog, and a thick piece of bread and butter: there being
no time for tea. We did not get to Sheerness until half past
eleven at night. I went ^came to the Fountain in Blue Town, for the
passage boats do not now, as formerly, go to the dock-yard.
It was too late to get any thing but cold beef, after which and a
glass of porter, I retired to a bed, which was tolerable, and the room
decent. My rest was indifferent, and I rose with a little head ach [sic];
but that did not prevent me from despatching a large round and a
half of toast, and a plate of ham, with my four cups of tea; and
I was then perfectly well.
      At ten o'clock, I went to the admiral's office to wait
upon Sir Thomas Williams; but found, from the secretary, that Sir