“MADAM—It cannot be too much lamented that, in the profession of arms, the officer of fine feeling and of real sensibility should be under the necessity of winking at any action of persons under his command which his heart cannot approve. But the reflection is doubly severe, when he finds himself obliged, in appearance, to countenance such actions by his authority. “This hard case was mine when, on the 23d of April last, I landed on St. Mary’s Isle. Knowing Lord Selkirk’s interest with his king, and esteeming, as I do, his private character, I wished to make him the happy instrument of alleviating the horrors of hopeless captivity, when the brave are overpowered and made prisoners of war. “It was perhaps fortunate for you, madam, that he was from home; for it was my intention to have taken him on board the Ranger, and to have detained him until, through his means, a general and fair exchange of prisoners, as well in Europe as in America, had been effected. “When I was informed, by some men whom I met at landing, that his lordship was absent, I walked back to my boat determined to leave the island. On the way, however, some officers who were with me, could not forbear expressing their discontent. They said that, in America, no delicacy was shown by the English, who took away all sorts of movable property; setting fire not only to towns and to the houses of the rich, without distinction, but not even sparing the wretched hamlets and milch cows of the poor and helpless, at the approach of an inclement winter. “That party had been with me, the same morning, at Whitehaven. Some complaisance was therefore their due. I had but a moment to think how I might gratify them, and, at the same time, do your ladyship the least injury. I charged the two officers to permit none of the seamen to enter the house, or to hurt anything about it; to treat you, madam, with the utmost respect; to accept of the plate which was offered; and to come away, without making a search or demanding anything else. “I am induced to believe that I was punctually obeyed; since I am informed that the plate, which they brought away, is far short of the quantity expressed in the inventory which accompanied it. I have gratified my men. And when the plate is sold I shall become its purchaser, and will gratify my own feelings by restoring it to you, by such conveyance as you shall please to direct. “Had the Earl been on board the Ranger the following evening, he would have seen the awful pomp and dreadful carnage of a sea engagement; both affording ample subject for the pencil, as well as melancholy reflection to the contemplative mind. Humanity starts back from such scenes of horror, and cannot sufficiently execrate the vile promoters of this detestable war. “‘For _they_, ’twas _they_ unsheathed the ruthless blade, And Heaven shall ask the havoc it has made.’