110

LETTERS.

[ 1784 .

TO WILLIAM LOCKER , ESQ., WEST MALLING.

[Autograph, in the Locker Papers.]

Boreas, English Harbour, September 24th, 1784.

My dear Friend,

I was in hopes that the first letter I should write you fromthis country would have given you some information of yourDominica estate, but that is not in my power. I was one dayin Prince Rupert’s Bay to wood and water; but there, youknow, I could get no information. If Sandys 5 should go toDominica , I shall give Bradley’s letter to him, and write toOrde upon the subject. I have a right to trouble him inany business of that sort, as I took on board for him, at Ma-deira, four casks of wine, on purpose that I might have hishearty assistance in the business.

Collingwood 6 7 is at Grenada , which is a great loss to me ; forthere is nobody that I can make a confidant of. The little

man, S-, is a good-natured laughing creature, but no more

of an Officer as a Captain than he was as a Lieutenant. Wasit not for Mrs. Moutray,7 who is very very good to me, I shouldalmost hang myself at this infernal hole. Our Admiral 8 istolerable, but I do not like him, he bows and scrapes too muchfor me; his wife has an eternal clack, so that I go near themas little as possible: in short, I detest this Country, but as Iam embarked upon this Station I shall remain in my Ship.Our ears here are full of Wars in the East; is there anylikelihood of a War ? I am in a fine [condition] for the be-ginning of one; well Officered and manned. I have notheard from a single creature in England since I arrived. Ihave [written] to everybody, and to you from Madeira, butnot a line.

Give my best remembrance to Kingsmill, and my friends inhis neighbourhood, not forgetting me to the Bradleys; and I

5 Captain Charles Sandys, who is often mentioned, was made a Post Captainin January 1783, and then commanded the Latona. He became a superannuatedRear-Admiral in 1805, and died in April 1814, aged 62.

6 Captain Cuthbert Collingwood , who then commanded the Mediator.

7 Wife of Captain John Moutray, Commissioner of the Navy at Antigua.

8 Sir Richard Hughes.