Chapter CXLVI: Letter CXLIV: To J---- S----, Esq

Charles Street, August 18, 1780.

MY DEAR AND HON. SIR,

MY long silence was the effect of a dearth of news:--I could have wrote, it’s true--but you would have ill relished a mass of thanks upon favours received.--Minds like yours diffuse blessings around; and, like parent heaven, rest satisfied with the heart.--Your goodness, dear Sir, is registered there--and death will not expunge it.--No; it will travel to the throne of grace, and the Almighty will not wrong you.--I am just risen from table with my friend R----, and we have toasted you most cordially in conjunction with the amiable partner of your heart, whom I hope in some happy time to see--I may say, hunger and thirst to see--it’s the wish of my heart.--Providence has indulged me with many, and I will hope for the completion of this.--But to the point:--a gentleman in administration (with whom I am upon good terms) about an hour since called upon me, to give me some fresh news just arrived from Admiral Geary’s fleet--an engagement between a new French frigate, pierced for 44 guns, mounting 32, called the Nymphe, and the Flora English frigate, Capt. Peere Williams[17], of 36 guns; the Flora was peeping into Brest harbour, when the Nymphe was coming out full of men;--they were both in the right mind for engagement--to it they went--the Frenchman began the affair at two cables length distance.--Williams reserved his fire till they were within half-cable’s length--it lasted with the obstinacy of two enraged lions for above two hours.--A French cutter came up to teaze, but was sent off soon with a belly-full:--at last the French captain, at the head of his men, attempted boarding--when our English hero met him--ran him through the body--drove back his men--put them under hatches--struck the colours--when she was on fire in four different places.--This affair happened the 10th ult. and he has gallantly brought his prize into Plymouth.--This is the greatest affair, take the number of guns, men &c. altogether, that has happened this war. I am sorry to remark, that if the French fleets in general behave so well, it will be a service of danger to meddle with them.

When Capt. Williams had conquered the crew, they found sixty dead upon deck;--the two ships exhibited a scene more like a slaughter-house, than any thing imaginable--These, oh Christians! are the features of war--and thus Most Christian Kings and Defenders of Faith shew their zeal and love for the dying commands of their Divine Master.--Oh! friend, may every felicity be thine, and those beloved by thee! may the heartfelt sigh arise only at the tale of foreign woes!--May that sacred tear of pity bedew the cheek for misfortunes only such as humanity may soften!--Mrs. Sancho joins me in sincere and grateful respects to Mrs. S---- and self.

Yours truly,

I. SANCHO.

Sancho begs his respects to Mr. and Mrs. C----; love to Sir J-- O----. and all who enquire after Blackamoors.

[17] Capt. Peere Williams is first cousin to Lady N----; and he will
not fare the worse for that.