Cove, June 22, 1808.
My Dearest Father,
I have this morning received your kind letter of the 16th, and am very much obliged to you for the Maps, which will be most acceptable, as I have hunted all over Cork without finding anything of the kind, and I think there is little doubt of Spain’s being our destination in the first place. I shall offer them to the General, but I fear he will not be prevailed on to accept them. He is always ready to oblige or give anything away himself, but would not take a pen from anyone, if he thought he deprived him of it. I shall note carefully what you say respecting ... though on his score of fortune, I think you have been misinformed. He is not amiable in his manners, but very clever, and though very good friends, we are not likely ever to be very intimate or confidential. A sort of outward cordiality must seem to exist, placed as we are together in situation.
I am most sincerely rejoiced that Douglas is coming to join us. For him I have really a very warm regard, and should Johnstone succeed, shall have with me two of my greatest friends. Our General has nothing to do with the present Expedition. He belongs to Spencer, and is ordered to proceed by the first safe conveyance (a man-of-war) but, should one not offer, to remain in the Resistance; this entre nous. He has applied, but none offers, and I think there is very little doubt of our all having the same destination. He is naturally very anxious to join his Brigade at his post off Cadiz, but we should all quit the Resistance with very great regret. Nothing can be more pleasant than our situation with so excellent a fellow as Adam.
I was in great hopes of hearing of dear Tom’s safe arrival, and hope still to have that happiness before we sail. Enclosed I send him a few lines welcome home. They but faintly express a brother’s feelings at his escape, and return, after so long an absence, to the bosom of his family.
All the troops are embarked, and certainly finer, as far as they go, never were seen. We now only wait for orders and Sir A. Wellesley, who is expected to-day, and will I hope bring some further orders for Genl. Ferguson. As to Rankin, I have written to Seymour to allow him to exchange into the 9th Foot. Stuart has been so good as to promise to get one of his men to do so, and I trust the General, who, by the bye, it was that wrote, will have an answer.
I have no answer to my letter about buying his discharge, which I fear will not be allowed. It will be abominably unpleasant to embark with a horse and no servant. As to Payne [nothing] but the steps and prospects I have in his Regiment would induce me to remain in it, though Seymour’s letters are highly kind and flattering. Payne considering dispassionately, has but little right to be angry at my using all my endeavours to get a very advantageous situation, although in spite of him; nor can I rate my services so low, as to suppose they are a matter of indifference to my Regiment, particularly considering the sacrifices I offered to make on my return to England. His not answering your letter is want of good breeding. Seymour’s letter to him, however, perhaps makes him hesitate.
We have been endeavouring to establish a ball here this evening for the relief of the poor distressed wives of the Soldiers, but it is a very bad day and I fear we shall have but thin attendance. I have been much troubled with the toothache, and yesterday had the unruly member drawn with much difficulty, and to-day my face is very sore and swelled; but, as I was one of the chief instigators of this ball, I must go, though not at all in the humour for it. Adieu, my dearest father. Ever your most affectionate son,
Wm. Warre.
The Genl. thanks you for your kind messages, and desires to be most kindly remembered.