I have seen an officer just come from Portsmouth, who says that the Fleet, with Sir Charles Grey,[327] dropped down to St. Helens yesterday, & that Lord Moira[328] has ordered all his officers to be on board to-morrow. I understand that Lord Moira will have from ten to fifteen thousand troops. They are to rendezvous at Jersey, & afterwards, if circumstances are favourable, their destination is somewhere about Cancale. There are good accounts of the encreasing scarcity of provisions among the Infidels & murderers. The garrison at Fort Louis[329] have judiciously preferred the surrendering prisoners of War to the deadly privilege of going home.
A letter from Lord Auckland talks of going for three or four days to Lambeth soon. I have mentioned in a letter that you proposed to pass two nights with him. I shall be sorry if you should not see him.
Ever yours,
Sheffield.
Aunt shall be much obliged if Mr. G. can obtain for her Louisa Les pensees de Paschal[330] in one Vol. to bring down with him.
643.
To Lord Sheffield.
St. James's Street, Nov. 30, '93.
DINNER WITH THE CHANCELLOR.