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page 1 Williams Plains in the Isle of France
Dec. 8. 1806
Two months since, Sir Joseph, I had the happiness of learning the safe arrival in England, of my companion in misfortune, Mr. Aken, with the various charts, books, and papers,. I entrusted to his care, and which I hope will give pleasure to Mr. Dalrymple and all those interested in the progress of discovery. Mr. Aken had not seen you, but greeted me with the pleasing intelligence that you highly approved of my conduct; and I have flattered myself, that of this approbation was only partial before the arrival of my narrative, transmitted by Mr. Larkins in August last, that it would afterwards extend to all my proceedings since quitting England. Although no one, perhaps, could feel more severely than I have, the unprecedented treatment general De. Caïn has made me undergo in this island, my time has not been idly spent in venting my indignation at the injustice of mankind and in hopelessly sighing after liberty; filled with the important objects I was commissioned to execute, they have been prosecuted under almost every advantage, as far as my means furnished the possibility: how far my work has been well done, the transmissions I have made from time to time will enable you to judge.
In searching over all the newspapers, magazines, and reviews that fall within my reach, for something relative to my situation, or to me, I find in the Monthly Magazine for Jan. 1806, mention made of my paper on the changes in the variation of the compass, that take place at sea on an alteration being made in the direction of the ships head, which you have done me the honour of causing to be read before the Royal Society, and to be published in their Transactions. I at first hoped, that it was the paper I had the honour of transmitting to you in Aug. 1805, but on a comparison, I find it to have been the very imperfect one sent in November preceding,by
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The Rt. Honble Sir Joseph Banks
May 30