Our Government have no communication with the French; but I have
some with their literary men, and have written, with the
permission of the Government, to solicit his release, and have
sent in my letter a copy of the very handsome one M. Baudin left
with you. If this should effect Flinders' liberation, which I
think it will, we shall both rejoice."

In June, 1805, Banks wrote to Flinders from London, detailing what had
been done:--

"From the moment that I heard of your detention, I have used every
effort in my power towards effecting your release. As the enmity
between the Governments of France and England is carried to such a
height that no exchange has on any pretence been effected, they
could do nothing for you. I therefore obtained permission in
August last to address the National Institute of France requesting
their interference to obtain your release as a literary man, a
mode by which I have obtained the release of five persons from the
gracious condescension of the Emperor, the only five, I believe,
that have been regularly discharged from their _parole_.

"My letters were unfortunately detained in Holland some months,
and, in fact, did not arrive at Paris till April. I received,
however, an immediate and favourable answer, which proves that the
literary men in Paris will do all in their power to obtain your
liberty; but, unfortunately, the Emperor of the French was in
Italy, where he still remains, when my letter arrived.

"I confess, however, I entertain sanguine hopes of a favourable
answer, when he shall return to Paris, from the marked and