Memoirs and Correspondence of Admiral Lord de Saumarez, Vol. IRoss, John, Sir
History
Memoirs and Correspondence of Admiral Lord de Saumarez, Vol. I
Ross, John, Sir
Admirals -- Great Britain -- Biography; Saumarez, James, 1757-1836
I have just learnt from the Admiral, that he intends to despatch
the Porcupine for England, which gives me an opportunity of
writing a line merely to acquaint you of our being in
existence, but most deucedly tired of our cruise: nothing worthy
our notice has occurred since my last letter. Sir John Warren
left Quiberon Bay last Wednesday for Noirmoutier, whence it is
supposed the emigrants will join Charrette's army. We pay
frequent visits to our friends in Port Louis. They continue
nearly in the same state as when we left them after the 23rd of
June; and, from the intelligence we have obtained, they are not
in any forwardness for sea, being without stores or men.
We experienced hitherto remarkable fine weather, which I hope
will continue; but nothing can equal our unvaried scene, fixed
to this confounded spot, without the least prospect of anything
falling in our way. We have not even the advantage of hearing
from England; for, sparingly, two ships only have joined us from
Plymouth since we are on this station. In short, my dear friend,
I am heartily tired of so inactive a situation, and shall very
sincerely rejoice to be relieved from it. You are much more
likely to receive accounts of the expedition than we are, having
but little intercourse with the army, and that little is solely
confined to the Admiral, who deals out the news very
_cautiously_. Could we but hear from our friends, it would yield
us some comfort; but that we are also denied: it is, however,
some satisfaction we can let them know we are alive. God bless
you! and believe me, with my kindest love to my dear sister and
children,
Yours most affectionately,
JAS. SAUMAREZ.
Orion, Houat, 26th November 1795.
MY DEAR RICHARD,
We sailed from Isle Dieu this day, subsequent to my letter by
the Thunderer; and various have been the decisions respecting
withdrawing the troops from that island. On Monday, Sir John
Warren sailed with the Robust, Theseus, and four frigates, with
the intention of making the embarkation; but it came on to blow
so strong that they were obliged to put back. I was dispensed
with from that service, by having been appointed to carry on the
communication with the royalists, for the purpose of conveying
to them the immense supply of stores and ammunition intended for
them, besides about thirty thousand pounds in specie. The 24th
was the day fixed for their being landed, and General George was
to muster all his force to receive them, at a place called
Bitiers, at the entrance of the Villaine; but the weather proved
so boisterous on that and the following day, that there existed
no possibility of any communication.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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