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[Page 2]
will leave me when we get the other side of the line to which at present we have a prospect of a favourable passage. When our secret orders were opened a copy of which I had, they informed Capt. Short (for to him they are addressed on account of the convoy instructions given within) that he was to proceed to the Cape of Good Hope with all expedition approaching it with great caution - these were dated so far back as the 15 Nov. 1805 and we did not leave England until the 20th January following, however, I believe the Fortune and Alexander two convict ships which are with us will oblige us to touch at Rio Janeiro for water to enable them to proceed in case the Cape is not in our possession. A south sea whaler called The Elizabeth, and the Justina on speculative trade are the rest of companions, but the latter leave us to proceed to St Helena before she risks going to the Cape and by her it is that I now write. The ship I am in is as comfortable as I can expect. I shall nonetheless be glad that by when the voyage is over, for it has been made very unpleasant by Captain Short, who has behaved so extremely unlike a character I can ever admit into my society, that forever I shall keep him out of it. I have no alternative here