| Description | (1) Written at Mavis Enderby to Mrs Flinders, 1 Oct 1810; news of arrival of Captain Flinders at the Cape gave everyone who knew him in London infinite satisfaction, to none more than himself for his goodness and constant attention to him; his arrival in England is expected soon, as is his promotion, although the Admiralty are unlikely to allow it to be post-dated to some years back; he fear Captain Flinders's disappointment at Franklin's not having written to him , but lack of opportunity and prosepct of it reaching him, particularly after being in the Mediterranan with no chance of letters being sent to America; although there was prospect of it going from Brazil via the Cape of Good Hope, he had heard from two gentlemen who had known Flinders during the early part of his confinement of the suspicion which De Caen had of him; the port was later declared in a state of blockade, which ended all communication from individuals ... there is an allusion to a painful disagreement at Wreck Reef but satisfaction that Captain F. appeared satisfied with his conduct ... Franklin has arrived at his paternal home, but not recovered from the agitation his visit occasioned.
(2) Written on H.M.S. Bedford, Down [to Captain Flinders], 1 Nov 1810; apology for abrupt manner he left him; he felt the affecting scene of his meeting with Mrs Flinders and could not call again; Captain Flinders being in England seems a mystery to him, and had he not seen his well known countenance he would still doubt it after his unjust and unexpected detention; he gives some details concerning what happened to members of the old Investigator's crew, with the ship now at Plymouth; he hoped Mr York would receive him and look favourably on his voyage; his own health has been indifferent the last few months; they lie generally off Walcheren [island off the Dutch coast]; he hopes to hear from hin when he has something to communicate about the voyage.
Copied by Eleanor Isabella Franklin. |