of retaliation.

How far this defence should be received, as a palliation of their conduct, I will leave others to determine; but although some may, perhaps, allow this argument, as applied to the Patriots themselves, to moderate the indignation and horror which such outrages against humanity and feeling must naturally excite; yet surely one undivided opinion must exist, of its being totally inapplicable to foreigners; who, although they may enter the -Patriot service, warm with enthusiasm for their cause, confident in its justice, and zealous to promote its triumph, are still but volunteers, or auxiliaries, personally uninterested in the dispute, and strangers to the sufferings, embittered feelings, and reciprocal wrongs, which have tended mutually to exacerbate the hostility of the two parties. Under such circumstances it may be asked, then, Can foreigners attach themselves even to the side of justice, without compromising every feeling of honour and humanity? The answer can scarcely be otherwise than in the negative; and this alone, without particularly enforcing the

impolicy of the speculation in various other respects, is, as I humbly conceive, conclusive against British officers or British subjects identifying themselves with either of the parties engaged in the contest, which has so long ravaged and depopulated the fertile plains of the South American continent..

The occurrences at Saint Kitt's, during the interval between our agreement with Captain W, and the departure of the Hornby, were totally destitute of either interest or importance. The difficulties with which the captain had to contend, occasioned a much longer delay in the West Indies than had been originally anticipated; but at length, on the 28th of April, having completed every arrangement, he in the afternoon came on board, and, to our infinite joy, gave orders to prepare for sailing.

The sails were soon unfurled, and I, for the first time, found myself attached to a handspike, going my revolutions round the capstan, assisting in weighing the anchor; but, however humble my situation, joy for my happy rescue predominated over every

other feeling, and rendered it one of the most cheerful and pleasant moments of my life. The chief-mate having received instructions to keep the vessel off-and-on the island during the night, the captain again proceeded on shore, for the purpose of procuring, if possible, a few additional men. The necessity of a sharp look out, and continual tacking, kept us on the alert until morning. On putting the ship about, my friend and I were stationed at certain haulyards, with which our intimacy, for that night only, ensured a familiarity with its name, scarcely less lasting in our memory than upon our hands.

In the afternoon of the following day, Captain W. returned, bringing with him a reinforcement of three men, which increased our crew (including himself), to the inefficient number of fifteen.

We were now under weigh, some miles from the shore; and the boat which had brought the captain on board returning, when one of our seamen (a son of St. Patrick), relenting his engagement, perhaps from contemplating the danger of proceed

ing on the voyage with so lubberly a crew, embraced, at the risk of his life, the only opportunity left him of escaping, and, running to the gang-way, with the most daring temerity jumped headlong overboard. Before he shewed his head above water, the vessel (which was then going nearly five knots), had left him a considerable distance, and every one on board watching with the most anxious and impatient expectation for his re-appearance. At length he rose upon the waves, with the utmost composure shook the water from his head, and, looking round exultingly after the Hornby, appeared to bid defiance to his wondering shipmates. Our fears for his personal safety soon subsided, on perceiving that he was perfectly at home in his new element. He swam in the direction of the boat, which we some time after saw him reach, get aboard of, and return to the shore. This man was unfortunately one of our best seamen, a circumstance which occasioned much regret, as there were now remaining on board only five experienced mariners, the rest of our crew being landsmen who were as little

acquainted with the management of a vessel as ourselves; their services were, notwithstanding, most acceptable, owing to the great difficulty experienced in procuring seamen throughout the West Indies, from whence they take every opportunity to join the Independent fleet, or of proceeding to the United States, where innumerable privateers were then fitting out for the same service.

It was not, however, without much mortification, we recognized in our new associates, three of the privates originally attached to our late brigade on board the Britannia; to whose intrusion and familiarity we now were subjected without any superiority of rank or distinction; but, in justice to these men, I must observe, that they were not altogether forgetful of their former subordinate situation, nor did they presume so much as might be apprehended upon our humiliated condition, and temporary equality.

On this day, the 29th, about three o'clock in the afternoon, we sailed from Bassterreroads, steering a N. W. course, with a