Demarara, Nov. 30.
How shall I tell you the high delight of this happy week! Need I say
more, than that three letters have reached me from England, being the
first that I have received since leaving my home and my friends! A small
packet was sent to my quarters by the commandant, having come with his
letters from Martinique; and it would require a long absence, from those
you esteem, to enable you to judge of the transport I felt, when, on
fixing my eye on the superscription, I discovered that they were letters
from England. They had been put into the army bag at the war-office, and
being addressed to the head-quarters of the “army in the West Indies,”
were fortunately sent to Martinique instead of St. Domingo, and from
thence forwarded hither.
I have again to announce to you a change of season in these regions.
During the latter part of this month, we have had frequent returns of
rain, and the weather is by no means so clear and fine as it was in
October, and the beginning of November: but we are told that the short
wet season is setting in, which will continue five or six weeks; and
that we are afterwards to expect a long dry season of three or four
months.
I remarked to you before, that in consequence of St. Domingo being far
to leeward, we very seldom receive any news from thence, except by way
of England; but a vessel is now arrived at Demarara, which was some
weeks ago at St. Domingo, and I am sorry to observe that the captain
brings a very afflicting report of the sickness which prevails in that
colony; such, alas! as renders all that we have suffered, here,
comparatively light.
It has again occurred to us to witness a striking coincidence of both
the attack and relapse of fever, with the period of the spring-tides.
Yesterday four of the convalescents in the hospital relapsed into ague,
and to-day five new patients were admitted with the same disease, all of
whom were likewise attacked yesterday, only a few hours before the
change of moon.
I can scarcely excuse myself for committing what I know will be a
trespass upon your feelings; yet I cannot avoid remarking that an
immense field has lately opened to my contemplation—that a huge and
frightful volume has been laid before me, upon the important subject of
army economy; and that I grieve to discover how much the high sentiments
of honor which ought to attach to every military employment, are
sacrificed to personal interest, and a mere traffic for pecuniary gain.
It is lamentable to see how grossly the sacred laws of morality are
outraged; and to know in what various instances the confidence reposed
in the servants of the public is abused. To such an extent is it
carried, in some instances, that a man of integrity and correct
principle is regarded as a noxious weed, which, not kindly taking root
in the corrupt soil where it is planted, many would desire to pluck up
and cast from among them.
What think you of a person holding a commission in his Majesty’s service
gravely recommending to another officer to “_lock up his conscience in a
strong box before he comes out with the army again, and resume it on his
return_?” The reply to his _friendly_ advice, was such as to diffuse a
blush, where, I much suspect, none had been seated for a long time
before; and, I apprehend that, in future, he will be more cautious of
avowing his _very honorable_ sentiments. I wish it could be remarked
that the opinions and conduct of this man are singular: but, alas! there
are too many proofs that they are far, _very far_ from being uncommon:
although but few may be hardy enough to declare them.