for a fair Corsican. Send me, at the same 'time, a shaving brush; such things are not 'to be had out of England. Do not let either politics or philosophy make you forget 'these. Not being actively employed I am 'tired of being so long absent from those I 'love. I hope we shall soon meet once more. 'Remember me to my father, mother, &c. &c. and believe me, my dear James, "Your affectionate Brother, 'JOHN MOORE.' My dear Mother,—I received this morning your letter as I was setting out for this 'place. I unexpectedly got the order to 'come here and embark with the foreign corps, expected to sail immediately. As 'I have nothing but my portmanteau and 'seven shirts, you may conceive how in'convenient this sudden order is to me. I 'shall go, however, in much better case than 'the troops under my command, who are in "a state not to be described; people seem * determined to do everything as ill as pos'sible. I shall be able, in the course of to'morrow, to see a little clearer, and shall ' again write to my father or you. In the 'meantime direct any letters for me to this 'place. I have desired my trunk to be for'warded from Southampton; but it is more 'than probable I shall sail before it arrives. 'God bless you, my dear Mother. 'Believe me your affectionate son, 'JOHN MOOre.' On board the John and James Transport, 'three o'clock, Feb. 28th, 1796. My dear Mother,-I got into a boat with my light baggage this morning at seven 'o'clock, and after beating about for some 'hours, I at last found this ship; she is a very good one, a West India trader, cop'pered. The captain and agent of transports ' received me very kindly, and allow me to partake of their mess, which I preferred to 'that of some artillery officers, with whom I 'was unacquainted. We shall do very well, 6 and I feel as if I should cut no despicable figure, presently, upon a piece of roast beef 'which I heard the captain order. I wish I could make you, my dear mother, as easy as I am. I already feel pleasure in having been hurried off; as I think I have done what is right, and what many in my situation would have excused themselves from ;-comforts are so ideal. I shall, in two days, be as well as if I had my 'trunks, &c. &c. I bought fifteen shirts at 'fifteen shillings; as many handkerchiefs, stockings, &c. I have already too many 'things. Hurry that fellow Rymer for my boots; of them I shall be in want. Nesbitt 'will get sent out to me whatever is sent to ' him. 6 Tell Jane I had not time to answer her ' letter, but I shall from the West Indies; in the meantime assure her I make great al'lowances for all weaknesses, and I shall prove myself a good brother to her, if ever I can. Remember me, also, to poor Charles. 'We are going, with a fair wind, through the 'Needles, and my captain says, if it continues, we shall, in ten or twelve days, 'reach the trade (winds). Had Graham been ' at Portsmouth I might have got out in a 'man-of-war; but as it is I am vastly well. My father will, I hope, call on General (Sir Charles) Stuart, and tell him I am off; ' and remember me kindly to him and Mrs. Stuart. Be of good cheer, my dear Mother; 'be persuaded that what torments you will, ' in the end, be your happiness. Believe me Your affectionate Son, ' ever, 'JOHN MOOre.' เ 'Barbadoes, April 17th, 1796. My dear Father,-After a passage of 'six weeks and three days, we arrived here 'the 13th. General Abercrombie, with all the troops lately from Europe, are here: 'part of them sail this day for St. Domingo. The rest, under Sir Ralph, are to act in the • Windward and Leeward Islands. "The foreign infantry I brought out re main under Sir Ralph, commanded by Nothing will be done I was anxious to be 'with that part of the army which is to be active, and requested to remain under Sir Ralph he consented, and proposed sending 'me second in command to St. Vincent. I 'shall not detail the reasons I had for wishing not to go there immediately. Upon 'speaking again to Sir Ralph, he in hand'some terms has permitted me to be with the part of the army he himself commands. 'I am not yet named to a brigade, but shall probably be in this day's orders. We shall sail for St. Lucia in a very few days. That island, together with Grenada and St. Vin 6 cent, are the immediate objects of attack, and we hope will be subdued before the 'rains. For the present, I hope for ever, I have got quit of the foreigners. I am happy I was hurried off, as it has been the means of my being of this expedition. |