some days longer; therefore write to me. Adieu! God bless you
all!

I am truly and affectionately yours,
JAS. SAUMAREZ.

The expedition, alluded to in the above letter, was placed under
command of Rear-admiral Henry Harvey, and consisted of the Prince of
Wales (flag-ship), Queen Charlotte, Prince, Orion, Russell, Arethusa,
and Jason, with a convoy of one hundred and twenty-six vessels. These
were detained at Spithead till the end of September; and on the 13th
of October they reached Isle Dieu, where they were destined to
co-operate with the former expedition. When off Hedic, Admiral Harvey
sent the Orion to join Commodore Sir John Borlase Warren, with that
part of the convoy intended to act with the royalists, while he
proceeded with the rest to the West Indies.

The troops were landed. The Orion was employed blockading the coast
near Rochfort and L'Orient; the nature of which memorable service will
be best understood from the following letters from Sir James to his
brother.

Orion, at sea, 26th October.

MY DEAR RICHARD,

I have just learnt from the Admiral, that he intends to despatch
the Porcupine for England, which gives me an opportunity of
writing a line merely to acquaint you of our being in
existence, but most deucedly tired of our cruise: nothing worthy
our notice has occurred since my last letter. Sir John Warren
left Quiberon Bay last Wednesday for Noirmoutier, whence it is
supposed the emigrants will join Charrette's army. We pay
frequent visits to our friends in Port Louis. They continue
nearly in the same state as when we left them after the 23rd of
June; and, from the intelligence we have obtained, they are not
in any forwardness for sea, being without stores or men.

We experienced hitherto remarkable fine weather, which I hope
will continue; but nothing can equal our unvaried scene, fixed
to this confounded spot, without the least prospect of anything
falling in our way. We have not even the advantage of hearing
from England; for, sparingly, two ships only have joined us from
Plymouth since we are on this station. In short, my dear friend,
I am heartily tired of so inactive a situation, and shall very
sincerely rejoice to be relieved from it. You are much more
likely to receive accounts of the expedition than we are, having
but little intercourse with the army, and that little is solely
confined to the Admiral