Bombay Septr. 10th 1810

My dear Mother
I am afraid the wonderful things which I am just going to tell you about will give you a great deal more pain than pleasure. My last, if it has reached you, will partly have prepared you to hear of them, what I then thought "unlikely" has now come to pass - (not to keep you longer in suspense) I have left the Armiston and am appointed Assistant Surgeon to H.M's 65th Regiment! - this is not all!! I have another equally great piece of news, which you shall hear as soon as you have digested this; let me now explain how this wonderful event has happened. James and I began as soon as I arrived here and left no stone unturned to bring it about. We applied to a member of Council that he has interest with, who recommended us to a member of the Medical Board - he could do nothing, so we went back to the other great man and got him to write a letter to the Capt of the ship desiring him to set me at liberty - this he positively refused, and I had lost all hopes of succeeding when a most extraordinary and unexpected event brought about all my schemes in a moment - the Compy's regular ship Earl Cambden was burnt, and the Surgn mate of her gladly accepted a situation which I as gladly gave up - an exchange was made - all the formalities got over - and I received the permission of Governt. to remain in India. Half my plan was now executed - it only remained to get an appointment. An Assistant Surgeon was wanted for H. M's 34th Regt. lying at Jaulnah a place about 30 miles in the interior of the country and I fully expected to get that situation till a few days ago when we received a letter informing us that it was likely to be filled from Madras. That being the case I applied for and obtained this which I now fill in the 65th which regiment will in the course of a day or two sail for the Isle of France! -- I assure you my dear mother, it was not without the greatest reluctance I gave up hopes of seeing you again for so long a time as it is likely to be - but all-powerful interest carried everything before it. If I had remained in the service it was most likely it would have been a number of years before I should have got to be surgeon of a large ship, till which happened it wd. have been scarce possible for me to save anything --- indeed the products of the voyage I had begun would hardly have paid my debts, much less have enabled me to prosecute my studies in London. --- On the other hand by accepting this appointment I am put in possession of a salary of upwards of Thirty Pounds a Month --- an unanswerable argument. That is the Pay at present and will be as long as they remain on active service, or are stationed at any distance from Bombay, and if the Isle of France is taken there is little chance of our returning for some time. But it is not so easy to save money here as you will imagine -- one is obliged to live like other people -- to mess with the officers which is very expensive; however I hope to be able to pay my debts soon, which are by the by much greater than you think. I have had a great deal of money of James, for with fitting out and one thing and another (everything so dear at this place) I have been at a great expense. James has been proposing to me a plan which will contribute much to your comfort, and which I hope we shall be able to put in execution ere long -- but let us be just be........... are generous. -----It is now about five weeks since I was released from the Armiston, all which time I have been spending at Versovah (pleasantly enough you may be sure) in expectation of the appt. in the 34th Regt. ..... have got a very good house and are living Ta........... you very comfortable. -----I wish you could see what a fine little fellow my namesake is! I should be afraid of his being spoiled if I did not foresee that he would have a rival before ---- hush! This letter has to go to Versovah before it is sent off. Give my kind respects to Mr & Mrs Goodwin and the Gales ---- I intend to write to Anne if I can possibly find time before we sail which will most likely be in two or at farthest three days; I am to go in the small Company's cruizer Thetis; perhaps you will see it mentioned in the account you will receive by & bye of the capture of the Isle of France. Give my best love to Fanny who I hope is still (with Anne) doing very well in the way of business - not forgetting my dear little creditor Bessy---------Farewell my dear Mother, I hope no rascally cannon-ball or pistol-bullet will make this the last letter you have to receive from

Yr ever affectionate Regd Orton