Sir Ralph has already promised that I 'should get leave; but he is so used to my 'commanding here, that, when it comes to the point, he is always afraid of trusting any 'body else, and is apt to retract.

'Justice will, I hope, prevail.

My bad

' health is occasioned by the fatigue I have

undergone; and, as I am writing to you, I

may say, honestly I think, that there is not 'an officer in the West Indies so well entitled 'to some indulgence as myself. This is, I believe, also the opinion of the General.

My remittances must cease. Everything ' has become so excessively dear, that I shall 'be able to do little more than make both ' ends meet.

'We know nothing of what has been doing ' at home. Our account of the attempt to 'invade Ireland is but imperfect. Should

they make another, and succeed in getting ' ashore, if we have a General worth a straw, ' he should sicken them from such enterprises ' in future.

• What I fear is, that the French have got

'a superiority over our minds, and we are ' half beat before we attack them. If we had 'a little of the old spirit, we should thrash them, as we have done heretofore:

'Farewell, my dear father. Remember me 'to my mother, &c. I have much pleasure in 'the prospect of seeing you this autumn. I

hope James, Graham, and Charles continue

prosperous.

'Believe me your affectionate Son,

'JOHN MOore.'

· P.S.-The Duchess of D recom'mended the damnedest cub to me lately I

ever saw. I, however, did all I could to 'serve him, but was unsuccessful. I enclosed

my answer to her to James;-I hope he has

' received it.

6

My kind remembrances to the Duke [of Hamilton.] I hope he is better.'

Falmouth, Sunday evening, 9th July, 1797.

My dear Mother, It will surprise you, I 'hope agreeably, to hear I am arrived at ' Falmouth, from the West Indies. By letters,

which you must have received very lately, you were informed that I had another attack ' of fever.

'I was told by every body that if I re'mained during the hurricane months, I 'should probably die. The campaign in the • West Indies was completely over; I had no 'scruple, therefore, to ask permission to quit 'that country. Sir Ralph granted it in the • kindest manner. I am this day landed from 'the packet, not an invalid, but in perfect ' health. The sea air has done more than

'pounds of bark. I refer all particulars to my meeting.

6

Major Anderson is with me.

I wish you

'could take a lodging for him in the neigh

bourhood of Clifford Street; the nearer the 'better, Maddox Street, for example: a

'second floor will answer his purpose as well ' as a first.

'Boyd and the French lad I took out with 'me shall go by the coach. The latter 'I wish to keep in Clifford Street. As to

Boyd, I shall send him to his regiment or to

'Scotland. He may be accommodated at 'James's, as I believe you have no room.

The Major and I will leave this tomorrow, as soon as we have arranged our 'baggage, servants, &c. It will be Thurs'day or, perhaps, Friday, before we reach Town. Kind remembrances to my father, ' &c. &c.

'Your affectionate Son,

'JOHN MOORE.'

'Taghmon Camp, Ireland, 7th July, 1798.

My dear Father, I received your and 'my mother's joint letter yesterday. It is 'my pride to show myself deserving of the ' relation I bear to you both; and I am never 'so completely happy as when my conduct 'gives you pleasure, or meets your approbation. I have no fear but that the species of ' reward which you seem most to doubt will 'be given to me in proper time; if it is

not, I should feel mortified beyond other men; but I will not allow such apprehen'sion, founded on mere general reasoning, to

damp the pleasure I naturally receive from 'hearing from you, that I have done my duty

in a manner that has gained me the appro'bation of the good men amongst my country

" men.

The rebels are collected in the mountains of Wicklow. I am to be intrusted with the 'force intended to reduce them; and expect to march from this to-morrow for Ferns, where the different corps will join. The 'force is to be partly stationary,―to occupy 'the different passes by which the rebels might escape; and partly moveable and 'active, to attack them wherever information ' is obtained of their being assembled. The plan is Lord Cornwallis's; this is the outline; the rest must be decided on after I get to Ferns, from local circumstances. 'General Lake comes to Arklow, and with

him, as well as Lord Cornwallis, I am to 'correspond.

'It is highly flattering to be thus selected; 'I have only to wish that I may be able to 'justify the partiality shown me. I think all