6

Lieut.-Colonel Moore to his Father:

⚫ Cork (Ireland), Feb. 17th, 1792.

My dear Father, I am very happy to

'hear that Graham has got a ship, and I

only wish he may by some accident be sent to Gibraltar, both he and Neptune (a 'favourite Newfoundland dog) should meet 'with a hearty welcome. I shall attend to 'the advice in the other part of your letter.

،

"I have been obliged to punish soldiers twice, 'since I joined, very severely, for drunken

ness upon duty. It is a crime I have often

declared I never would pardon. About a 'week ago a Lieutenant of the regiment was 'guilty of it; he went rioting about the town,

and was absent from his guard all night. 6 There may be some excuse for a poor sol'dier forgetting himself so far; there can be

none for an officer. When it was reported 'to me, I had still fresh upon my mind, the 'disagreeable recollection of a flogging which had been inflicted upon a corporal, for 'something very similar, two days before.

'I assembled the officers, related what I had 'heard, and sent the Adjutant with a message to the Lieutenant, who was confined to his room, and not present, immediately 'to dispose of his Lieutenancy to the Ensign 'first for purchase; for, if he hesitated, I 'should put him in arrest, and report him to 'the Commander-in-Chief. He knew, if I 'did so, he must be broke, and therefore 'chose to take the money. He was a blackguard, as you may suppose, and we are 'well quit of him: this example will, I trust, prevent everything of the kind in future. I. do think, that after the recent and severe 'examples made among the men, for the 'same crime, sentenced by courts-martial,

consisting of the officers of the regiment,

any one of themselves who could be guilty ' of it, must be totally devoid of every feeling and sentiment of a gentleman. I said so to the officers, and had the satisfaction to 'find they all agreed with me.

The transports, with one regiment, the 33d, are arrived, but the others are still

missing our departure depends upon them, ' and of course is uncertain. I do not think 'we shall embark before the end of the ' month. I am much occupied in the mean 'time, making the different arrangements; 'the men since they have been here have ' almost all been in the hospital, and do not 'look as they did when we left Charles Fort.

The sea voyage and Gibraltar will recover 'them. I am told General O'Hara is appointed Deputy-Governor, and is to relieve Boyd.

Tourle, who lives with me, begs to be re'membered to you. My love to my Mother, ' &c. Believe me, my dear Father,

'Gibraltar, Feb. 8th, 1793.

'My dear Mother,-The Orestes, which

'Graham had for a short time, is ordered for

England, and sails this day. I am the 'more eager to send you a few lines by her, as the communication by France may soon

be stopt.

'We heard yesterday of the death of the King ' of France. These monsters' (the chiefs of the 'Revolution) have disgraced a good cause,

and I can hardly now bring myself to wish 'that they may at last succeed in settling ' for themselves a good government.

'I long to see my father's account of the 'late transactions, and I hope you will send it to me. Ships offer every day. Do 'not depend upon my getting it from any'body else, as few publications of any kind. ' are sent here.

'My sensations are very different at pre'sent from what they were upon the arma'ment against Spain. I was then certain of The probability now is

'being employed.

'that I shall not.

There is a chance, but it

is a small one, that if young regiments are 'sent here to relieve old ones, which certainly are fitter for immediate service, the 51st may be one of them. Lord Eglinton is, 'I fear, not a colonel who can be of much 'service in bringing this about. I have, ' however, pressed him to try it.

VOL. II.

U

'After visiting Cadiz, Xeres, and Seville, and being absent a full month, I returned 'here to my duty ten days ago. The travel'ling in Spain is worse than you can conceive; it even requires some degree of hardi'ness to undergo it.

'I was, however, fully compensated for my trouble, not from the churches, pictures, ' &c., for there are, I believe, few of these in Spain worth looking at; but the dress, 'manners, and customs of the inhabitants, ' are very different from any I had ever seen. They are by no means the proud, distant 'people they are represented to be, but just 'the reverse. I amused myself very well amongst them. This little excursion was necessary, and I have returned to my duty 'with fresh ardour.

'I am sorry that you were so rash as to 'destroy your letter, as we hear that Captain

Tourle has since got a ship, and is on his

passage to join. There are several lords and honourables here, only masters and com'manders, who must be made before Graham: