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

plan of future proceedings, and their uneasiness was daily increased by witnessing numbers of the men falling victims to the virulence of the fever. Brion at length made his appearance, after a lapse of upwards of six weeks, but his return proved altogether unimportant; for, notwithstanding the difficulties under which the Patriots laboured for want of military stores, he was unable to conclude any agreement with the Supercargoes for those under their care'; and they were ultimately compelled to deposit them with merchants in Saint Bartholomew's, to be disposed of on the best terms they could procure. The Britannia and Dowson afterwards took in sugar-freights, and are now (if not arrived) on their passage home.

These circumstances fully prove the fallacy of the statements which have lately been inserted in some of the public papers, of the Patriot admiral having effected the purchase of the stores forwarded from England, on board the different merchant vessels; as I know from indisputable authority, that the only articles of any importance ob

I

tained by him were a few heavy guns for his new ship the Victory.

Various other accounts, which have at different times been published, are equally unfounded; and were manifestly framed for the purpose of carrying on the system of misrepresentation, to which the partisans of the Patriots in England have so long and disgracefully had recourse, and which in its effects have proved so pregnant with misery and destruction to the unfortunate dupes of this unworthy principle.

I shall not presume to suppose that any of the respectable editors of the daily papers, would wilfully contribute their sanction and support to the dissemination of falsehood; but most certainly a great proportion of the information contained under the head "Private Correspondence" is so utterly inconsistent with every information I procured, and in numerous instances, so directly at variance with my own personal knowledge, as naturally to induce the supposition of its being fabricated on this side of the Atlantic..

It was very recently asserted in one of

the morning prints, that nearly two thousand British troops were collected at Saint Bartholomew's, enthusiastic in favour of the Patriot cause, and only waiting the arrival of Admiral Brion to convey them to the scene of action. This statement can only be exceeded in falsehood by another which appeared about the same period, announcing the actual junction with the Independents of the Artillery Brigade, raised in England for their service. With respect to the first of these articles, I will, without hazard of contradiction, affirm, that at no period whatever did the total force which rendezvoused at that island exceed five hundred, officers and men; that of this body not one hundred and fifty ever actually proceeded to the Main; and that even of this small proportion, probably nine out of ten were impelled by desperation and necessity, to persist in their original intention of joining the Patriot armies. The enthusiasm in favour of the enterprise was certainly warm and universal previous to our reaching Saint Bartholomew's, but these feelings rapidly subsided