Typed transcript of letter from John Franklin to his father Willingham Franklin, following their arrival in Gibraltar, original dated 27-30 Jul 1805 Arrival in Gibralar on 24th July; with battleships under command of Sir Rd. Bickerton blockading Carthegena, where there are 7 battleships not able to join Spanish and French fleets in the West Indies; on leaving England they had sailed for Cadiz under Admiral Collingwood but were detached to convey transports and troops to Malta; aim of expedition still secret but possibly for landing in Egypt; barbarity of people and area in Oran bay where they went for a fortnight; conflict between Arabs and Turks, including several decapitations; tale of relief of Peter Johnson, a Swede, having undergone many hardships, including imprisonment; change with Carthagena squadron having put to sea but not out of Gibralter; request for Captain Flinders to see that his time spent on the Porpoise is allowed; best wishes to James on his sailing for India, his friendship with Mr Rumsey, an assistant surgeon in Madras. [20th cent]