Cove, June 27, 1808.
My Dearest Mother,
Even had I not this morning received your most kind and affectionate letter by Douglas with the locket, it was my intention to have written a few lines, nor have I time for much more, as we dine at a Mr Frankland’s some way in the country, and I have a good deal of writing on hand. Accept my best thanks for the letter and locket which shall never quit me, though you know I did not want it as a souvenir. I wish it was the Talisman, so famous in the “Arabian Nights,” that conveyed its possessor in an instant wherever he wished. I should often visit the happy circle at Hendon.
We really know no more of our destination than you do, except that we all belong to the same, and are to join General Spencer at Gibraltar, which is a great satisfaction. Hitherto we have been longing for an opportunity to get out to him, not knowing but this expedition might have quite a different destination.
We have a large list of the Staff, among which are many friends of mine. Sir A. Wellesley, Lieut.-Genl. commands in chief, and under him are Major Genls. Spencer, Hill, Ferguson, Br. Genls. Fane, Crawford, Nightingale. Col. Torrens is Mily. Secretary, and a long list of Staff-officers, which I need not trouble you with reading. Genls. Fane and Crawford go in the Resistance with us, which will take away greatly in point of room. The latter and his Brigade Major I know very well, the former not at all, though I hear he is a very good man. I could have dispensed with him very well, as they just turn us poor ADCₛ out of our snug berths, and strangers will prevent that pleasant gaiety and freedom we have enjoyed hitherto.
It is very uncertain when we shall sail. We are waiting for the Donegal 74, Capt. Malcolm, and Crocodile frigate, and for some transports, with Artillery and Cavalry, and some empty ones to thin those now here, which are very much crowded, though hitherto quite healthy. The additional room allowed looks like a longer voyage than we expected, though Cavalry and our taking horses seems to contradict this idea. I am rather for going to Spain. It is a noble service assisting a nation fighting for its independence, and it is impossible to say what a brave people fighting for liberty, and actuated at the same time by resentment for great injuries, and a bigoted attachment to ancient customs may do, if properly supported. At all events, our assisting to the utmost of our power the mother country will greatly facilitate our establishing the independence of America, whither I hope will be our ultimate destination.
Sir A. W. is a very good officer, and much esteemed, and I trust we have neither a Whitelock or Gower amongst us. I have not been very well to-day—I expect from the effects of bad water—and so liable to catch cold, that the General has made me put on flannel, and I find myself better since I have ordered a dozen of waistcoats of it at Cork.
We had a gay ball here on Friday, in a storehouse fitted up with flags, for the relief of the distressed soldiers’ wives. We had a good many people, and collected about £50 free of expenses, little enough among so many objects. I have had a good deal of trouble, but who would grudge it in such a cause? To-morrow there is a ball for the poor wounded Dutchmen taken in the Guelderland. I have never seen greater objects. Poor fellows! they fought very bravely, but knew nothing of their business. Our Frigate only lost one killed and one wounded, and they 60 in both.[5] I went to see them, and the Genl. has sent the Officer refreshments and wine. He is an excellent man. His purse is always open to distress, even too much. He is, I fear, often imposed upon. I am much pleased for many reasons, you may suppose, with Mr Adamson’s kindness. Pray thank him most kindly from me. As for Moll, I shall be much affronted if he talks of paying for her. He must accept her as a very small proof of my friendship and very high regard for him, to say nothing of his kindness to me and my gratitude for it. I hope Hardy will suit dear Emily, and she will have him as a present from her affectionate brother. I shall be able to afford not to sell him, if we have a long voyage, and think she will like him with greater pleasure as a present from me. I was rejoiced to see my friend Douglas, he is gone in to Cork to-day and returns to-morrow....