ended all hostilities in
this quarter of America, for the army had scarcely re-assembled
when intelligence arrived from England of peace. The news
reached us on the 14th, and I shall not deny that it was received
with general satisfaction. Though war is the soldier's harvest,
yet it must be confessed, that when carried on as it had of late
been conducted, it is a harvest of which men in time become
weary; and many of us having been absent for several years from
our native shores, experienced absolute delight at the prospect
of returning once more to the bosom of our families. The
communication was therefore welcomed with unfeigned joy, nor
could any other topic of conversation gain attention throughout
the camp, except the anticipated re-embarkation. .

But as the preliminaries only had been signed, and as
Mr. Maddison's approval was required before we should be at
liberty to depart, our army still continued stationary upon the
island. Of the President's conduct, however, no doubts were
entertained; all thoughts of future military operations were in
consequence laid aside; and the sole aim of every individual
thenceforth was to make himself as comfortable as circumstances
would permit. To effect this end various expedients were
adopted. Among others a theatre was erected, in which such
officers as chose to exhibit performed for their own amusement
and the amusement of their friends. In shooting and fishing,
likewise, much of our time was spent; and thus, by adopting the
usual expedients of idle men, we contrived to pass some days in a
state of tolerable comfort.

Occupations such as these, however, soon grew insipid, and it was
with sincere rejoicing that on the 5th of March we were made
acquainted with Mr. Maddison's agreement to the terms proposed.
All was now hope and exultation, an immediate departure was
anticipated, and those were pitied as unfortunate whose lot it
was supposed, might detain them even a day behind their fellows.
But as yet no movement took place; our provisions were not
sufficient to authorize the undertaking so long a voyage as we
must undertake, did we attempt to run for the nearest British
settlement; we were therefore compelled to remain where we were,
till a frigate should return, which had been sent forward to
solicit supplies from the Governor of Cuba.

During this interval, the same occupations were resorted to; and
others of a less agreeable nature undertaken. As summer cam