some, and requires constant vigilance. The

Blacks, to a man, are our enemies ; the

' few Whites who are not so are afraid to be

our friends. I am convinced that nothing 'but my exertions, and the attention I have 'paid, would have kept the island in our pos'session-but it is every moment in danger: 'be prepared, therefore, to hear that it is 'wrested from us-I wish sincerely I was ' quit of it.

'I shall keep myself disengaged, that 'the moment the war is over I may venture to return to you. I long to see us once

6

more assembled in Clifford Street; and no

thing I could get in this vile climate could

compensate to me for the loss of the sa⚫tisfaction which that meeting will afford me. 'Believe me, my dear Father,

• Your affectionate Son,

'J. MOORE.'

'St. Lucia, 12th Feb., 1797.

'My dear Father, I received your letter

lately of the 3d December, part of which 'was written by my Mother.

'I wrote to you some time ago all that passed

' on the arrival of Sir Ralph. However un

pleasant it was for me to return to this island, I saw it was necessary, and what Sir Ralph wished. He was sensible of the 'necessity of vigilance in this quarter, particularly as he could supply it with no troops. He brought out no officer with him, and he found none here whom he could

trust, but such as were usefully employed ' elsewhere.

'I flattered myself, however, that my return was temporary, and in case of any ex'pedition, that I should be employed in it. In this I am disappointed. An expedition is about to sail. Sir Ralph has written to 'me to regret the impossibility of removing 'me from St. Lucia. He fears that in his 'absence the French may make some attempt 'from Guadaloupe, upon this, or some other ' of the British settlements. Thus after toiling here these ten months, I am deprived ' of serving in the manner I should like; in 'that which would tend to my improvement,

' and in which I might chance to distinguish 'myself. What I have done here, though it has ' required ten times the exertion, will never be 'heard of. At the same time I cannot com'plain. My disappointment is announced ' in such flattering terms,-my merit, confidence in me, &c. &c. ;-though it is hard 'that a man's merit should be the cause of his punishment. The truth is, that Sir

Ralph has not officers enough. He is going upon this expedition with few who can do 'his business. It is a pity he is so old him'self, for he is a spunky fellow.

I wish sincerely that Lord Malmesbury may succeed and make peace. I am quite 'tired of being kept in St. Lucia. I now see 'no chance of being removed from it.

'I am glad I refused the government of 'Grenada, which undoubtedly had been pro'mised to Sir Ralph for me.

'I expect to find myself, at the end of the 'war, with the pay of Lieutenant-Colonel. I ' have lived upon it these six years, and can 'continue to do so the rest of my life, as

'long as I have the satisfaction to reflect that I have done nothing to disgrace myself, or 'those with whom I am connected.

'Adieu, my dear Father,

'Your affectionate Son,

6 JOHN MOORE.'

St. Lucia, 16th May, 1797.

My dear Father,-So many packets have 'been taken of late, that for this considerable 'time past I have neither heard from you,

'I think I mentioned to you that I had had a visit from Sir Ralph the end of March, 'the object of which was to excuse himself 'for not taking me, agreeably to former pro'mises, upon the expedition. I have, however, now no reason to regret that I was not of it, as the place was found too strong for 'his small force; and, after landing at Porto Rico, and remaining on shore about a fort'night, Sir Ralph was obliged to re-embark his troops and give up the attempt. ' returned to Martinico about ten days ago.

He

impossible to enjoy better health

tak (dhi from the time the fever left

24 October or November, till lately.

lours month ago I was again seized with ever: at the same time an abscess formed weit in the bottom of my right hip. The ufammation was great, and the pain exCruciating. It swelled to considerable size, - and, when opened, a very great collection of • matter was discharged. I was confined to my bed upwards of three weeks. The fever • in the mean time left me, and I was able to · throw in bark. The surgeon was afraid that the great cavity, occasioned by the matter collected, would have been troublesome to · heal—it has, however, gone on vastly · well.

'I have been out of bed about a week. I · was excessively reduced, and of course am ⚫ still weak. I, however, gain strength daily. 'A change of air was strongly recommended; ‹ and, in Sir Ralph's absence, General Hunter 'sent an officer to relieve me, and advised me ⚫ to go to Martinique.