Calcutta 20 ^th February
                                    1811

My Dear Flinders
          By some accountable mistake
your letter of July only reached me yesterday but you
must have been already apprized of my having taken
charge of the trunk which you request me to look after.
The white ants as I informed you have made such
ravages on the trunk that it is totally unfit for {saving}
and I am sorry that you will find the greatest part
of your papers in the same state. As soon as I was
aware of the [illegible] which afflicted the trunk I had
it opened where the quantity of white ants which it
contained extended any thing I had ever seen before.
The whole seemed alive. I have had everything put

with another trunk every thing having been previously
opened to the Sun and I hope that you will never [illegible]
in safety. I have had every article carefully replaced in the
trunk and the packet of letters was superintended while
drying by my head Native Servant who understands no
language but that of his own country. I then had these
put up in parcels [illegible] for the safety of all
your secrets while in my poƒseƒsion. I am now
on the way for Batavia where I am to accompany
Lord Minto. You may judge from that of the
satisfaction which my miƒsion to the Isle of France
has given. Perhaps we may chance to meet in
those Seas for having been very unwell since my

return, I do not feel myself better for this trip
I may [illegible] a visit to Botany Bay. I beg you
will present my respects to M^rs Flinders –
          and believe me to be with the
greatest esteem Yours very Sincerely
                    H Hope

This is favored by Captain Hay of the Ostell
who has charge of your trunk