I shall now mention the real cause of the loss of Guadaloupe, which, with that of some other islands that have since fallen, has been maliciously attributed to the oppression and peculations of Sir Charles Grey and Sir John Jervis; for this purpose I must refer back to the time when the expedition was first planned by our government, and the command given to those officers. As the capture of the French possessions in the West Indies was rightly judged to be of the greatest consequence both in a political and mercantile view, a very formidable armament was prepared, and Martinique was pitched on as the first object for attack; and, since the capture of that island had been attempted the year preceding, and failed, it was of course expected to be put on its guard, and rendered thereby more difficult. But at this period (unfortunately for this expedition) another object diverted the attention of government, and eight regiments[43], with a great part of the artillery, which were embarked and ready to sail, were taken from that force, which combined would in all probability have secured to us our conquests in the West Indies, and enabled us to extend them to St. Domingo, and all the other French islands in that quarter. Government was well aware, and acknowledged, that this diminution of force must so cripple the expedition, that it would render the prospect of any success doubtful; and no idea was entertained that the conquest of Martinique would even have been attempted, Fort Bourbon alone seeming too formidable for an attack by such an inconsiderable body: however, when Sir Charles Grey and Sir John Jervis arrived at Barbadoes, and had arranged every thing for an active campaign, they determined to begin with the strongest island, being confident that, when that was gained, the smaller places would soon fall; whereas, by attacking the lesser islands first, they must necessarily diminish their small armament, and render the capture of so well defended and strong a place as Martinique, with the formidable fortress of Fort Bourbon, totally impossible. The event justified their determination. But when this great object was gained, and St. Lucia and Guadaloupe taken, the army (originally too small) was divided into three parts to garrison the conquered places; and by that dreadful scourge, the yellow fever, which now began its ravages, together with the loss sustained in the several actions of the campaign, not one of the islands, nor indeed a single post on each, could be called properly defended, in case the French should send out an armament to the West Indies. If, as soon as the news of the capture of the first island had reached England, a strong reinforcement could have been sent out, and repeated on the conquest of each succeeding place, the small body of the enemy (who made their attack on Guadaloupe, and stole in at a moment when the gallant governor, General Dundas, was breathing his