This period could not boast of that liberal attention to the seaman's wants, which has characterized our Country, during the late war, towards her naval servants. Scurvy, at that time, was the prevalent disease in our fleet, and this had reached an alarming height in many of the ships attached to Sir Samuel Hood. The world too generally ground their opinions upon external circumstances, without examining minutely into inferior details, which, when known, will be considered, by the judicious, as often constituting the solid merits of human action. To a great superiority of fresh ships and healthy crews, as yet unbraced by the climate, Admiral Hood was opposed with 7 sail less in number, reduced in effective strength by scurvy, and against an enemy, whose naval confidence had never arrived at a greater summit. That steady countenance which he evinced in their presence, was yet surpassed by a noble effort, on the following day, which shewed the invincible spirit of his mind, and these resources so usually annexed to magnanimity and talents. Observing the scattered order of the French, and catching a change of wind in his favor, not common in that Country, he directed a general chace, and levelled all his force against their most vulnerable point. But the elements were fickle, and disappointed his manly views, after which he bore up for Antigua to refit, and land his wounded. The interval was seized by De Bouillé and De Grasse to carry St. Lucia, who were happily resisted by the united energies of Captain Campbell of the 87th Regiment, and Lieutenant, afterwards the unfortunate but amiable Captain Miller of the Theseus. Improving the same occasion, another, but more prosperous expedition, was undertaken against Tobago, which was finally seconded by the whole French fleet and army. Sir George Rodney, having assumed the command, reached Barbadoes on the 23d of May, where he learned the attack upon that island. Lieutenant Johnstone of Marines was sent in an Advice Boat in order to gain intelligence, and other information of a secret nature. His ability and zeal fully qualified him for the task, but nothing could avert its surrender, after two fruitless attempts to relieve it. This may be said to have ended the campaign of 1781, in the West Indies. In this summer the total reduction of West Florida was effected by the Spaniards, who persevered in recovering the possessions, formerly wrested from them. The combined fleets, after covering a debarkation at Minorca, towards the close of August, proceeded in triumph to the mouth of the British Channel, while Admiral Darby retired to Torbay. Discord and sickness were again the agents of heaven to counteract their menaces, and a kind Providence wafted home our commerce in safety, soon after those powerful enemies had each returned to his own ports.