LETTERCIV.TO MR. R——.
Sept. 7, 1779.
DEAR FRIEND,
WE are all in the wrong—alittle.—Admiral Barrington is arrived from the WestIndia station—and brings the pleasant news, that d’Estaigne fell in with five of our ships of the line with the best part of his fleet. We fought like Englishmen, unsupported by the rest:—they fought till they were quite dismasted, and almost wrecked;—and at last gave the French enough of it, and got away all, though in plight bad enough:—but the consequence was, the immediate capture of the Grenadas.—Add to this—Sir Charles Hardy is put into Portsmouth, or Gosport;—and, although forty odd strong in line of battle ships, is obliged to give up the sovereignty of the channel to the enemy.—L—d S——h is gone to Portsmouth, to be a witness of England’s disgrace—and his own shame.—In faith, my friend, the present time is rathercomique—Ireland almost in as true a state of rebellion as America—Admirals quarrelling in the West-Indies—and at home Admirals that do not chuse to fight—The British empire mouldering away in the West, annihilated in the North—Gibraltar going—and England fast asleep.—What says Mr. B—— to all this?—he is a ministerialist,—for my part, it’s nothing tome, as I am only a lodger, and hardly that.—Give my love and respect to the ladies—and best compliments to all the gentlemen—with respects to Mr. and Mrs. I——.
Give me a line to know how you all do.—The post is going—only time to say God bless you.—I remain
Yours affectionately,
I. SANCHO.
Past eleven at night.