Wm. W.
My promotion will be in course, and we can do nothing further. As to ... letter, it does not much signify what he wrote, com todos nada[24], the best way is not to irritate the little worm, who will be vexed enough to find he has outwitted himself, and will no doubt try his ingenuity in plaguing me whenever he has an opportunity.
[24] With all nothing.
Portsmouth, May 9, 1811.
My Dear Father,
I am much obliged to you for your letter of the 7th and for ensuring my horses’ lives, as well risk of capture, etc., which, everything considered, is as well, and I will direct great care to be taken of them, which I have done, at all events for my own sake, as money would be a very trifling compensation for what I could not replace. I have made every enquiry about the Braave Charter, but can hear nothing of her. Capt. Patton from her description says he thinks she must be a Navy store ship, and that they are out of his jurisdiction. I enquired about her at the Dockyard, but they also know nothing of her. I however ascertained that to go in her, if she is what I suppose, I must pay my passage, which would not be worth while, as I can have one for nothing in a regular transport. As, however, the wind continues still in the S.S.W. I shall take no further steps till the morning, in the hope of hearing something further from you about Mr Sydenham, as the Port Mahon, which is named and certainly waiting for a messenger, is so over-crowded already with Generals Hill and Campbell and their Staffs, that I can see no possibility of their stowing any more on board of so small a brig.
I have not been able to hear anything about my shirts and servant’s livery, though I have enquired everywhere here about them. At the Crown, where my mother says they were sent, they know nothing of them. It would be provoking to lose them as well as the bearskin, which Mr W. Turner says he knows nothing of. I would therefore be much obliged to you to desire Dunn to enquire at the place from whence they were sent, and to let me know by what conveyance, and when forwarded, also how directed. I am at the Fountain Inn.
Jack is quite well and desires his kind love to all in George Street. We are, as you may suppose, not a little tired of Portsmouth, but as the weather is clearer now perhaps the wind may change, and then it will be most provoking to be separated, but my anxiety to get out increases, and I shall go anyhow.
Ever, my dear Father, Most affectionately yours,