him.

The letter was given to Captain Delmar when he was on the quarter-deck,
and he went with it down below. He came on deck shortly afterwards. I
looked at him but did not perceive that he was in any way put out or
moved by its reception. Claims for past services, whether upon the
country or upon individuals, are seldom well received; like the payment
of a tavern bill, after we have done with the enjoyments, we seem
inclined to cavil at each separate item--_ainsi va le monde_.

It was reported down at Mutton Cove, that our ship, which sailed with
sealed orders was to be sent to the West Indies. This the captain did
not expect or wish, as he had had enough of the tropics already. When
he, however, opened his orders, it was found that Mutton Cove was
correct, and the captain's instructions were, to seek the admiral of the
station with all possible dispatch.

We carried sail day and night, and as the Manilla proved a remarkably
fast sailer, we were very soon in Carlisle Bay, Barbadoes, where we
found the admiral and six sail of the line, and a few smaller vessels.
As soon as the despatches were opened by the admiral, our signal, as
well as that of all the smaller vessels, was made, and before the
evening we had spread our canvas in every direction, being sent to
recall the whole of the disposable force to rendezvous at Carlisle Bay.
We knew that something was in the wind, but what, we had no idea of.
Our orders were to proceed to Halifax, and we had a quick passage. We
found two frigates there, and we gave them their instructions; and then,
having remained only twenty-four hours, we all made sail together for
Barbadoes.

On our arrival there, we round the bay crowded with vessels:
twenty-eight sail of pennants and a fleet of transports, containing ten
thousand troops. Three days afterwards the signal was made to weigh,
and the whole fleet stood out from Carlisle Bay, it being now well known
that the capture of the island of Martinique was the object of the
expedition. On the third day we arrived off the island, and our troops
were disembarked at two points, expecting to meet with strong
opposition. Such, however, to our surprise, was not the case. It
appeared that the militia of the island, being composed of slaves, and
who were sent to oppose us, did not consider that slavery was worth
fighting for quite as well as liberty, and therefore very quietly walked
home again, leaving the governor and regular troo