LETTERCXLIV.TO J—— S——, ESQ.
Charles Street, August 18, 1780.
MY DEAR AND HON. SIR,
MY long silence was the effect of a dearth of news:—I could have wrote, it’s true—but you would have ill relished a mass ofthanks upon favours received.—Minds like yours diffuse blessings around; and, like parent heaven, rest satisfied with the heart.—Your goodness, dear Sir, is registered there—and death will not expunge it.—No; it will travel to the throne of grace, and the Almighty will not wrong you.—I am just risen from table with my friend R——, and we have toasted you most cordially in conjunction with the amiable partner of your heart, whom I hope in some happy time to see—I may say, hunger and thirst to see—it’s the wish of my heart.—Providence has indulged me with many, and I will hope for the completion of this.—But to the point:—a gentleman in administration (with whom I am upon good terms) about an hour since called upon me, to give me some fresh news just arrived from Admiral Geary’s fleet—an engagement between a new French frigate, pierced for 44 guns, mounting 32, called the Nymphe, and the Flora English frigate, Capt. Peere Williams[17], of 36 guns; the Flora was peeping into Brest harbour, whenthe Nymphe was coming out full of men;—they were both in the right mind for engagement—to it they went—the Frenchman began the affair at two cables length distance.—Williams reserved his fire till they were within half-cable’s length—it lasted with the obstinacy of two enraged lions for above two hours.—A French cutter came up to teaze, but was sent off soon with a belly-full:—at last the French captain, at the head of his men, attempted boarding—when our English hero met him—ran him through the body—drove back his men—put them under hatches—struck the colours—when she was on fire in four different places.—This affair happened the 10th ult. and he has gallantly brought his prize into Plymouth.—This is the greatest affair, take the number of guns, men &c. altogether, that has happened this war. I am sorry to remark, that if the French fleets in general behave so well, it will be a service of danger to meddle with them.
When Capt. Williams had conquered the crew, they found sixty dead upon deck;—the two ships exhibited a scene more like aslaughter-house, than any thing imaginable—These, oh Christians! are the features of war—and thus Most Christian Kings and Defenders of Faith shew their zeal and love for the dying commands of their Divine Master.—Oh! friend, may every felicity be thine, and those beloved by thee! may the heartfelt sigh arise only at the tale of foreign woes!—May that sacred tear of pity bedew the cheek for misfortunes only such as humanity may soften!—Mrs. Sancho joins me in sincere and grateful respects to Mrs. S—— and self.
Yours truly,
I. SANCHO.
Sancho begs his respects to Mr. and Mrs. C——; love to Sir J— O——. and all who enquire after Blackamoors.
[17]Capt. Peere Williams is first cousin to Lady N——; and he will not fare the worse for that.
[17]Capt. Peere Williams is first cousin to Lady N——; and he will not fare the worse for that.