sons which were assigned for his personal hostility to this man, (however correct) were probably rather surmised than founded on actual knowledge, I do not feel that I would be justified in their insertion. Hudson, immediately after this rencontre, disappeared from the island, and we heard no more of him. Previous to taking leave of this gentleman (who excited so much curiosity amongst the British officers, by whom he was almost invariably addressed with the appellation of General) I cannot avoid remarking, that notwithstanding the length of time we had been subjected to his society, and that too within the narrow limits of a ship, where the greatest familiarity and open heartedness almost uniformly and indiscriminately prevail, yet so mysterious and incomprehensible was his conduct, and cautious his conversation, that we never could learn even the country that gave him birth. His observations were those of a shrewd determined adventurer, well acquainted with the world, and whose knowledge was manifestly derived from personal experience.

His long service with the Patriots rendered him regardless of privations, and enabled him to feel comfortable whenever he could procure length and breadth for his hammock.

Hudson had in his possession a portmanteau, which he particularly valued, in consequence, as he declared, of its having been formerly the property of the royalist commander Morillo, from whom he had himself captured it on an occasion in which that officer narrowly escaped becoming a prize to General Hudson's extraordinary prowess. He likewise frequently exhibited a small silver snuff-box, which he said composed a part of the spoils contained in the portmanteau.

An officer, Captain C, who proceeded from England in the Emerald, and had been furnished by Brion with authority and the requisite means for enlisting seamen throughout the West India islands, arrived at St. Kitt's some time after Lieutenant L———. The great object of his Lmission was to raise a sufficient number of able British seamen to man the Victory;

and I understood he succeeded in procuring about seventy hands. Captain C——— only remained at Saint Kitt's one or two days, when he returned to Saint Bartholomew's, where he had been appointed by Brion to the command of his new flag ship.

While these arrangements were making on the part of Brion, the officers of Colonel Campbell's corps, and some others who had subsequently arrived, probably irritated and soured by a succession of perplexities and disappointments, became apparently regardless of their existence, and were frequently involved in personal disputes. Several duels took place, but fortunately without injury to any of the parties. These unpleasant occurrences, and an alarming threat which reached the Governor's ears, induced his Excellency to issue a peremptory mandate for the instant departure of all the vessels from the island.

Having thus lost the protection of the Swedish government, they proceeded to Five Islands, situated about midway between St. Bartholomew's and St. Martin's. Here they were shortly after joined by other

vessels of the Independent fleet, and were actively engaged refitting and preparing for the Main when we left St. Kitt's.

Since my return to England I have been informed by officers more recently arrived from the West Indies, and through other authentic channels (but to which I am not at liberty to refer), that their intended project had been in some measure frustrated by the unexpected appearance of the Spanish squadron, which hove in sight off those islands immediately after, and rendered it advisable for the merchants' ships (the Britannia and Dowson) to take refuge in Great Bay, Saint Martin's, where they continued under the protection of the Dutch government.

Brion, who had been joined by Commodore Aury and his squadron, after some consultation declined coming to an engagement, and sailed for the Oroonoco, having previously intimated to the Supercargoes his intention of again returning to Saint Martin's, as speedily as possible, but this event was so long protracted as to create doubts of his re-appearance.

During this period of anxious suspense, the islands suffered seriously from the effects of several most tremendous thunder-storms; and with infinite regret I heard that the beautiful mansion of my kind friend, Mr. Cromoni, senior, had been destroyed by lightning, owing, principally, as is supposed, to the attraction of some metal pineapple ornaments, by which its exterior had been decorated.

Whilst waiting the return of Brion, the yellow fever broke out on board the Dowson, and proved fatal to several of the officers, men, and ship's company. This vessel also had her foremast totally carried away by lightning, whilst riding at anchor in Great Bay. The situation of the Supercargoes was, at the time, truly critical and embarrassing, as the freights were not of a nature calculated for general sale; and the Patriots, in whom they had originally anticipated certain purchasers, were in a situation too deplorable to justify any confidence in Brion being able to effect satisfactory arrangements. During his absence, however, they were unable to form any