'lop, that Frank has gone to France with 'Basil Browne; I am glad to hear this.

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Farewell, love to my Mother, and to them

all, and to the Duke.

'Believe me, dear Father,

• Your most affectionate Son,

'JOHN MOORE.'

Dear Father,-Yesterday evening two frigates came express from New York, with despatches for the General, they return

again to-morrow; we have so seldom opportunities from this place, that I could not think of allowing this one to escape me. I have been sitting upon a general court• martial this week past, but luckily we were

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adjourned early this forenoon, otherwise I

might not have had time. This is a duty

we are troubled with very often, as the 'officers of the Provincial corps are continually quarrelling among one another, and

'The last opportunity I had of writing to you 'was by Lieutenant M'Quarie of the 74th.

Since that we have encamped, and are pre'paring to receive the French, who are expected soon. I suppose this express has 'been sent to put us on our guard; if that 'was the case, they might have saved them'selves the trouble, as General M'Lean has 'been doing everything in his power, to fortify the Citadel Hill, which is our strong

hold, when we are beaten from our encampIments and outposts: and I am in great hopes, though our garrison is but small, only ' about one thousand five hundred men, 'militia, &c., included, that we shall be able 'to make a very good defence; I will answer 'for it General M'Lean will not give up easily.

The hopes of being attacked is the only thing that renders this garrison supportable, we are all heartily tired of it, and would give the world to be sent to New York; if

I had had time to have settled my affairs

'before this frigate sailed, I would have

• asked leave to join the General's company

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at head-quarters, where I should have had

a much greater chance of seeing service, and likewise of getting an exchange into an old regiment. As to the paymastership, the profits are not equal to the risk of being re'duced at the peace, besides, if I am left to

myself to judge, I would never allow any lucrative affair to come into the scale with

military preferment: if I am once reduced, • God knows when I may get in again, at all • events it would be as youngest.

Ever since I heard of Rodney's engage'ment with the French fleet in the West Indies, I have been wishing Graham may have not left the Trident, it will be such a disappointment to him, poor fellow!

'I have taken it into my head since I 'heard Frank was sent to France, that he 'will choose the army for his profession; if ' he does, the sooner he gets in the better, as ' it will be of great use to him to serve a little before the war is over; it is out of my

'ther it would be proper for him or not, as I 'have been so very fortunate myself, that I ' undoubtedly prefer the army to any profes'sion on earth, but the chances are so great ' that he would not be so successful, and it is 'terrible to be long a subaltern; as it is impossible for a man to be perfectly happy, when he is pinched for money. If I thought 'he was sure of a company in four or five

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years, I would wish he was in the army,

not otherwise. At all events, if he is re'solved to enter the army, get him taught 'drawing and fortification; history, &c., he 'can read by himself afterwards. I cannot help being amazed at myself, how much I I am taking upon me; giving myself the airs ' of advising you, who know so much better, what is necessary to teach Frank if he is ' intended for the army, but you must excuse me, my dear Father.

'As roast-beef is just beat, I must leave you for some minutes.

'Five o'clock.-I am just come from din6 ner; the Major told us he had letters from

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New York; none of our officers are exchanged yet, except Captain Pitcairn, but they will be soon, as we have taken as many prisoners at Charleston, as will release not only Burgoyne's army, but every. ' prisoner they have of ours: by the bye, all the guns of the garrison were fired this fore

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noon, upon account of the news from

• Charleston, which came yesterday.

'I wonder you have not got acquainted

with Major Craig's father in London; I am very much obliged to the son; I assure you, he has been kinder to me than any man I ' ever met with.

'Your friend Dunlop is well, he is

very much

improved in every respect since I knew him 'first: he is a very excellent lad, and cleverer

than most you meet with in the army, and improves much upon acquaintance.

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My love to my Mother, Sister, and Bro

thers. If the French come here, you may

expect an interesting letter.

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Believe me, dear Father,

Your most affectionate Son,

'JOHN MOOre.'